Bit of housekeeping first because I got myself a little confused early on here. DEVIL'S LAIR is a standalone novel from prolific Australian author Sarah Barrie, sharing some location similarities with an earlier novel - BLOODTREE RIVER. Sarah's past books seem to lean towards the romance side of the equation, with DEVIL'S LAIR billed as romantic suspense.

The novel starts out with events leading up to the violent death of Dale Jones, unfaithful husband and business partner of Callie Jones. Fleeing the aftermath of his death, Callie lobs up in a neglected mansion house, in a small Tasmanian town, which comes with the requisite spooky stories, creaks in the night, odd neighbours, and general decay and foreboding.

From the opening pages I suspect some readers may be aware that we're looking at that form of suspense that comes well telegraphed, with atmospherics to spare, and a cast of millions. There were points in the book where a hand written cast list including connections to who / how was the only hope I had at keeping up. Especially if the book had been put aside for a few days to go on with something else, when getting back into the swing of it required heaps of concentration and that list. Having said that DEVIL'S LAIR feels very much like the opening salvo in a series as there plenty of hints of future directions as well.

So - lots of characters / lots of ideas / a pretty stereotypical setting ... can be gone along with, but what stayed with me for the longest time after reading the book was the juxtaposition of all of that, and a sort of cozy narrative with an oddly laid back attitude when faced with a particularly gruesome body count. Whilst you'd think you could possibly live with things that move or bump in the night in a house that's supposed to be haunted, the somewhat lackadaisical approach to murder after murder, and oddity of never once having that referred to ... I don't know ... a major crime squad or something, didn't make sense. Add to that the budding romance - our plucky widow and the gorgeous local bachelor and the balance wasn't pitched at reader's of my ilk obviously.

Extra heavy on the romance, extra light on the suspense side, where the murder and mayhem seems to be somewhat secondary to the personal relationships, DEVIL'S LAIR will undoubtedly appeal to fans of that balance.

https://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/devils-lair-sarah-barrie ( )

Two years after Callie’s life is devastated by a shocking incident she flees relentless scrutiny to find sanctuary in a rural cottage in the Central Highlands of Tasmania. Changing her name, and her look, Callie hopes to make a fresh start, and when she is unexpectedly offered a job at nearby tourist retreat, Calico Lodge, she decides it’s an opportunity too good to pass up. Made to feel welcome by the owners, particularly Connor Atherton, and slowly winning over her gruff landlord at Waldron House, Callie begins to believe she can escape her past...until a psychotic killer revives a long held grudge.

Blurring gothic sensibilities with psychological suspense, The Devil’s Lair by Sarah Barrie is a gripping thriller that kept me compulsively turning the pages until the early hours of the morning. I experienced an almost visceral reaction to the sense of unease that builds as the story unfolds, finding myself startling at every unexpected noise outside my darkened window.

Barrie establishes the disquieting presence of Waldron House with descriptions of ‘shabby green walls and scarred wooden floors’, dim rooms crowded with boxes and dusty antique furniture, and the overgrown, wild gardens. Strange symbols are carved or drawn on door frames, the cellar door sports a large padlock, and chunks of black tormaline are placed on window sills. Add to that the odd noises and other strange occurrences that begin to plague Callie, as well as the disturbing rumours that persist regarding the property’s history, and the grandeur of Waldron House begins to lose its charm.

Callie is a sympathetic character, the tragedy that caused her to flee the Hunter Valley is horrifying to contemplate, and then, just as she begins to find her feet in Tasmania, members of the community are targeted by unspeakable violence, and Callie experiences a cascade of unsettling events that causes her to question not only her safety, but her sanity.

Contrivances were easy to dismiss as I got caught up in the story, and as the truth about the past and present unravels, Barrie stuns with plot twists that reveal shameful secrets, dangerous obsessions, and horrifying acts of revenge.

A compelling and darkly atmospheric tale, Devil’s Lair is a riveting thriller. I enjoyed it so much Ive ordered Blood Tree River, also by Sarah Barrie, which shares the novel’s location and some of the characters though it is not directly related. ( )