Hi, Dienece Darling here reviewing When All the Birds Sing by Suzie Peace Pybus.
Book Description
Crayfish Cove, 1975 – a tranquil Tasmanian fishing town where doors are left unlocked and kids roam free.
On a lonely road, a young girl meets a man with wild hair and a woodsmoke smell. He invites her to join a band of local children building a treehouse on his bush property. Lily is soon smitten with Harry, who spins stories, whistles like the birds and can swing a billy can without spilling a drop.
Kids adore him, parents trust him. Until a child vanishes…
The search discovers something so devastating that the children are now kept safe behind closed doors and suspicions turn towards Harry. Who really is the recluse they’ve been entrusting with their children?
Years later, the past returns to haunt Lily. As she and her friends attempt to unravel the truth of what really happened, they unearth a terrible secret that places Lily’s life in danger.
Dienece’s Thoughts
There was something very special about this Aussie mystery. I loved the voice as well as the worthwhile message.
Told from the innocent perspective of an adolescent enjoying her life, When All the Birds Sings walks us through the time when everything goes terribly wrong in Lily’s life, and she has to choose who she is going to believe. Herself, her friend, or what everyone else is saying.
Set in small town 1970s/80s Tasmania, this was a time when most people went to church, the social place to be on a Sunday morning. Most people trusted each other and were friendly, kind, and close knit. Until the unthinkable happens.
The book starts with a very emotional scene. Our heroine panicked and racing to see her friend. He gets arrested before Lily gets there. She is devastated, watching the police cart him away. The author wrote this so well. I didn’t know either of the characters, but I became immediately invested.
What was going to happen to Harry? Was he innocent?
We have to wait for the answers because the story takes us back to the moment Lily meets Harry. Setting us a challenge. Can we see the hints? Can you judge if Harry is a good guy or a bad guy? This book is a whodunit.
I enjoyed the challenge of trying to spot the lies, the nuggets of truth in the quieter scenes. It was all there. But can you see it?
The speed picks up and really starts motoring along about the 40% mark when the events which kicked off the book begin to happen. I was up until 2am because I had to know how it ended.
Why review this book?
It’s good writing, has endearing characters, and a story that pulls you along, but that’s not why.
It has sweet childhood memories of growing up in a small-town. Many of which are targeted to Tasmania but explained in such a way readers should follow along by the context even if they don’t know the occasional Aussie lingo. But also, that’s not why.
I’ve highlighted this book for its potent message, especially for Christians even though the faith content is quite subtle.
“Mum heard it from Betty… Apparently something was hushed up…”
When All the Bird Sings sheds light on so many damaging choices. The small lie, the choice to stay silent or allowing yourself to be silenced, listening to gossip, the doubts that sneaks in and aren’t cast out, whether or not to trust yourself or what others say, and ignoring or covering up the signs pointing to the truth. I think one of the characters in the book said it best.
“…some people preferred to sit with their ears open and their brains switched off.”
The fellow was talking about people attending church, but it can apply to so much.
This book is a reminder that Christians are meant to be Bereans. Never just believing what we hear, but challenging it, testing it, making sure it’s right. This story brings that into sharp relief.
Triggers
There are two triggers in this book. The first is listed right in the book description. A child goes missing. Devastating search results. But because this book is written from a minor’s point of view, things are kept age appropriate. Which takes some of the edge off a tough subject.
Second, the victim’s sibling takes to using more colourful language, most of which is redacted, but a few mild oaths are present.
Who would like this book?
The writing is like Amanda Wen (without the romance) and Sarah Loudin Thomas, especially The Right Kind of Fool. It’s a mystery with a quieter beginning that builds up to a kicking climax with a thought-provoking message.
When All the Birds Sing is for those who love their heart getting involved, not just a bullet whizzing by. If you enjoy trying to work out who, where, and why before an event happens and even AFTER! then try When All the Birds Sing.
