Something Beneath the Pines

Something Beneath the Pines establishes a high-stakes, closed-circle mystery set on the rugged, isolated expanse of Dawson Island. This private retreat, owned by the dominating billionaire Graham Dawson, becomes the stage for a brutal crime when Graham's wife, Evelyn, is killed during a high-profile "masculinity retreat" attended by five other top-tier CEOs.

The novel primarily contrasts the Dawson family's heritage with the quest for truth. Graham locks down the island, imposing a vow of complete silence on guests already entangled in corporate secrets and financial fraud.

Stepping into this maelstrom is Clara Dawson, Graham's estranged daughter and a local park ranger. Utilising her intimate knowledge of the island and her sharp instincts, Clara bypasses her father's lockdown to investigate Evelyn's complex past and the explosive secrets Evelyn held about the powerful men now trapped on the island. The case does not only present a murder but also a carefully crafted message, indicating that the crime is a component of a bigger conspiracy involving corporate corruption and a family history of violence and dark ambition.

Hamon de Quillan excels at crafting complex relationships, particularly between Clara, her father, and her conflicted half-brother, Andrew. As Clara and Detective Helen Morales delve deeper, the line between victim and perpetrator, truth and meticulously built deception, blurs. The suspense is skilfully built up in the novel to a dramatic climax that leaves the refined fronts of corporate privilege bare and shows the ugly, dangerous intentions behind the pines.

It is a compelling thriller that can be enjoyed by the readers who enjoy reading a complex mystery that is full of psychological suspense and corporate and family drama.