Confluence

by Gemma Chilton

"There’s his boat. Upside down on the sand. Like something ancient, something returned to nature long ago."

Liam is living an unhappy life in the city, having an affair with the married woman upstairs, haunted by the ghosts of his childhood.
When he discovers his mother is sick, Liam decides to return to his hometown where, 20 years earlier, his father went fishing and never came home.
But Liam’s not the first person in his family to have made that journey to the coast in search of the truth.
Moving between generations, Confluence is a contemporary mystery novel about time, memory, love and loss, through the lens of one family’s tragedy.

Genres: Mystery

412 pages, Paperback

Published February 1, 2022

About the author

Gemma is a writer and editor based in Huonville Tasmania. She has written for numerous publications including Australian Geographic and Tracks magazines, on topics ranging from four wheel driving to science and engineering, food and tourism. Confluence is her first novel.

Reviews

[Colin Baldwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A refreshing, light read. And I don’t mean light in terms of lack of substance – ‘Confluence’ has depth.

Gemma Chilton writes with a clear and concise style. She expertly weaves in and out of different narrative timeframes which adds to the reader’s interest in her mystery storyline.

We get to know her characters through various stages in their lives, different settings, denial and a search for the truth lost within generational family secrets. This worked really well for me.

This author has a genuine passion for the Australian landscape which rings out loud and clear in her text:

“The ocean still churned a deep gunmetal grey and teal, but behind it the sun had risen into a soft, painted-pink sky. The colour of hope.”

I’m really glad I stumbled upon this book at the recent Tasmanian Indie Authors Book Fair and got to chat with the author.

[Rosh · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a Nutshell: An indie literary mystery from the land Down Under. Began very well for me, but the second half became somewhat hodgepodge. I still liked it, but not as much as I had wanted to.

Story Synopsis:

Almost-thirty year old Liam lives life unsatisfied. His job is boring, he’s having an affair with a married woman, and his past still affects him. When he learns that his mom has breast cancer, he uses it as a golden chance to escape his dreary routine and move back to his hometown of Elanora. But the ghosts of his past are still alive, and Liam’s return leads to some long-kept secrets coming tumbling out.
The story comes to us in the third person perspective of various characters and from various timelines.

Bookish Yays:
😍 Though a long and complicated read courtesy multiple timelines and characters, the plot progression is steady.

😍 I like it when authors make use of their location to provide an authentic feel. This book feels Aussie from start to end, courtesy the excellent descriptions of the places and the lifestyle, and some Aussie slang as well. It makes the experience feel genuine.

😍 The prose is beautiful without going over the top. The author balances conversations and descriptions excellently, while providing us with some delectable lines along the way.

😍 The title is an intelligent one as it fits the book in multifarious ways, from literal to metaphorical. The cover is also perfect for the book.

😍 Most of the characters don’t fit into a predictable mould. They are complicated and realistic, and their secrets only make them more human and relatable.

😍 The writing is neither judgemental nor condescending about the mental health issues faced by some characters. The plot also covers inter-generational trauma, exacerbated due to the number of secrets kept by family members under misguided assumptions of protecting others.


Bookish Nays:
😐 This is a debut work and unfortunately, it succumbs to one common pitfall of debut writers, what I call the ‘kitchen sink syndrome’ because it tried to include everything plus the kitchen sink in its themes. There are too many dark secrets and topics thrown in, and the result feels somewhat chaotic. I would have preferred the plot to pick 3-4 strong themes and focus only on those as being the skeletons in the family’s closet.

😐 I would have liked some indication of the change in timeframes. While I did understand after the first few chapters that the timeline was alternating between Present Liam and Past Liam, it still took a while to adjust to the swaps, especially as both were voiced in third person. This became even more complicated when some more character voices were introduced in the second half and their timelines too were different.

😐 On that note, the introduction of new character perspectives post the 50% mark made my progress awry as I felt like I was being forcibly introduced to strangers I didn’t want to know. (You will empathise with this feeling if you are an introvert.) The book would have worked better for me if the story had given this important character a narrative voice right from the start, and revealed her connection with Liam’s track as the plot moved ahead.


There’s no doubt that the writer is talented. Her writing chops are visible in the way she weaves complicated characters and a tricky plot with lyrical writing. Some finetuning while editing and more writing experience will ensure that this is an author to look forward to in future.

Recommended to those who like literary-styled family dramas with a hint of mystery. There are many triggering topics though, most of which would be spoilers if I reveal them here. Suffice to say that the author handles them with sensitivity, but reader discretion is still advised.

3.25 stars.


My thanks to author Gemma Chilton for providing me with a complimentary copy of “Confluence”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.




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[Dona's Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

June broke off mid-sentence and stared at Anne, as if surprised to find her there in the room....

Me, Anne wanted to say to her. It’s me, Anne, your sister. I’m here, he hit me, and I left. Don’t you understand?

But instead she just nodded along. June passed her the joint again and she sucked in more of the smoke, closed her eyes around it. Somewhere in the far, far distance she thought she heard John crying out for her. Mummy’s here. Mummy loves you baby. p151

CONFLUENCE by Gemma Chilton is a family saga told from the perspective of many members of Liam, the main character's, family. But it's really Anne's story. And it's the story of how one person, whether they make every holiday meal, or are consigned to the back of the deepest, darkest family closet, glues a family together.

Liam returns home from his important adult life (that he's actually happy to leave behind) to help his mum, who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Once back in his hometown, he begins uncovering old memories and old secrets, disturbing in nature, and equally plentiful, about his family's history. He doesn't know what he's in for, but with the help of people from his past, he starts piecing things together. As he contends with the darkness in his family history and himself, he's faced with the question a search for the truth always inevitably brings about--who does it help and how?

Chilton writes an extravagant mystery in CONFLUENCE, robust and shapely, full of tension and suspense. Even once I understood the novel's form, and the title, and even Anne's significance, I still only knew the very beginning of what this surprising, empathetic, addictive story has to offer. At times, I backtracked to reread something in light of new information, but I don't think that was due to any weakness in the writing; I think I was truly fascinated by how every little part of this story came together for me. I was addicted to the narrative and I didn't want to miss anything!

As a final note, I appreciated the realism and empathy with which Chilton handles mental health and addiction issues in this text. I really appreciate when writers don't stigmatize their already struggling characters💜

Thank you to the author for a digital copie of this book in exchange for an unbiased opinion, which I have provided here.

Rating 5 stars
Finished November 2022
Read this if you like:
💜family sagas
💜amatuer slueth mysteries
💜alternating time lines and perspectives
💜stunning setting description
💜hometown boy makes right

⚠️TRIGGER WARNINGS CONTAIN SPOILERS⚠️

TW lots and lots, excessive alcohol consumption, excessive drug use, child abuse, child neglect, child SA, DV, SA, incest, cancer, abandonment, newborn death,

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[Suz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I stumbled across this self-published title after noticing a few of my trusted Aussie Reader friends had enjoyed it. The author kindly sent me a physical copy to read and review, so thank you, Gemma!

This was a gentle literary fiction type of read for me, I kept thinking it was set in Tasmania as this is where the author is based, and my daughter lives there now, and I really feel the setting does have this vibe. (It’s not).

The chapters are alternatively told by Liam, a man at a crossroads in his life, knowing his affair with a married woman is going nowhere. This portion of the novel really doesn’t feature, it moves from here to returning home, a few hours south to his childhood home where his mother has received a cancer diagnosis.

The unfolding is a slow burn from Liam’s childhood to the present, spending his early years fishing with his father, who is a reserved man and distanced from his wife. There is much tragedy and loss in this fractured family which spans generations, exploring the wider topics of grief, loss, deep feelings of shame and the impacts these have on moving forward with an unfulfilling adulthood with so much left unanswered.

There are some uncomfortable scenes which I didn’t at all see coming, and the pace was quite slow. I didn’t see it so much as a mystery but an unravelling of a family’s secrets and a young man returning home to find some peace.

It was quite open ended with many neat parts which left me feeling the slow burn made me feel wanting at times, and possibly with so many themes and timelines I was wanting a more straightforward timeline.

As Liam tries to grapple with his visions around the last sighting of his father, we are not sure of his reliability as a narrator. I didn’t connect with all the characters, but this is a reader quirk, I usually enjoy stories more when I make a stronger attachment.

A unique debut, I will be interested to see what the author shows us next.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Liam was ten years old, his father disappeared. Liam had gone fishing at the river with his father often; he adored his dad, knew about the sister who didn't make it, and his mother who tried so hard. The verdict was misadventure, but Liam had always had trouble coming to terms with his father's death, without a body, without anything...

Now Liam was almost thirty and living in Sydney working in a job he didn't much like. When he received the phone call from his mum to say she was sick, Liam quit his job and headed to his small coastal home town of Elanora to look after her. But he didn't realise that deep inside him he still hadn't come to terms with his father's disappearance, even almost twenty years later. Liam's life was restless, directionless but he tried. Would he find any answers after all this time, after the police had done all they could and closed the case?

Confluence is the debut novel by Aussie author Gemma Chilton and while it is written beautifully, with a kind of gentle peace to the story, I also found it a little choppy as it jumped from ten year old Liam, to his twenty nine year old self, to other family members - all with no indication at the beginning of the chapters of where we were, so it took me out of the story fairly often. I enjoyed it for the most part, and adore the cover! - the plot is different with twists I didn't expect. I'd be interested to see what Ms Chilton comes up with next. Recommended.

With thanks to the author for my copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Confluence is the first novel by Australian author, Gemma Chilton. When Liam Murray’s mother lets him know that she’s facing surgery for breast cancer, he doesn’t really hesitate to throw in the job he wasn’t enjoying, abandon a casual (in his eyes) relationship with a married lover, quit his flat and head to his beachside hometown of Elanora.

It happens to be close to the nineteenth anniversary of the date his father went missing: John Murray’s boat was found burnt out, washed up on the beach, and most people eventually concluded he died accidentally on the water. Being back in his childhood home has Liam recalling incidents in the lead up to, and after his father’s disappearance from his life.

His presence in Elanora also elicits comments and reminiscences from people who knew his father, some of which are intriguing snippets he wants to know more about. An unexpected visit from his cousin also piques his curiosity. He does some online research and heads back to Sydney to tie up loose ends and find out more. But will he ever find out what happened to his Dad?

The first half of the story is exclusively told through Liam’s narrative in a split timeline; thereafter, his narrative is interspersed with that of several others, whose perspective fills in facts that Liam cannot know. There are echoes and parallels between the stories of several characters, and there is a certain intimate incident in the final chapters that may make readers uncomfortable but is integral to the fate of those who go missing.

Chilton easily evokes her era with popular cultural references, and her setting: her rich descriptive prose will strike a chord with anyone who has lived in or visited a coastal NSW town. Her characters are realistically drawn, flawed but well-intentioned. This is a tale that explores secrets and shame, grief and loss, family and friendship, and the unreliability of memory. Enclosed within a gorgeous cover, this is an impressive debut novel.
This unbiased review is from a copy provided by the author.

[Scuffed Granny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Gemma Chilton’s debut novel. It is a book set in Australia about family and secrets and returning to your roots and how all of these things can shape you into the person that you are but they do not necessarily have to define you completely; only if you let them. Families are good fodder for novels and I felt like Chilton’s characters and their relationships to each other were well-defined within the narrative.

Chilton’s main character, Liam is a man whose life lacks purpose and when he decides to return to his home town, Elanora, he is faced with the past as well as the present and it is not an entirely comfortable experience; his family has secrets as most do but for him, the disappearance of his father at a young age, is the key to a lot of his issues.

The narrative develops at a slow pace with a muted tone, which is deliberate as Liam leads us to meeting old friends, reconnecting with his mum and finding new people who may well be as listless as him. Liam’s life alters from what he has known and he regains contact that he thought he had lost. This is partly to do with confronting the past and attempting to leave it behind and I have to say that the book, which is quite dark in places, ends on an optimistic note. Chilton is fully in control of her plot and as more and more is revealed to Liam so we, the readers, are given other information through the thoughts and lives of other key characters who Chilton introduces us to, and also to the role that they play in Liam’s story.

I have to say that I found the route that the book took surprising, as I was not anticipating some of the things that were unearthed during Liam’s exploration of the past and this is a compliment to the author: that I did not see them coming. Chilton crafts her novel so that the unexpected twists are executed and delivered well and I felt compelled to continue.

This is always a sign of a good book; wanting to see where the narrative and characters will take you, and this was a good book. I look forward to reading more by Chilton in the future.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Luke Sherwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

When the characters become real to us, we understand we’re reading effective fiction. When this realism leads to hoping for the best for this imaginary person, when their hopes become our hopes, the fiction we’re reading is now more than effective, it’s engaging. It bonds us, it recruits us in the service of its cast. The depth of our feeling for Liam, the young man wrestling with his memory—which is perhaps unreliable—of a pivotal traumatic event from his childhood, is the only yardstick you’ll need to measure the solid worth of Gemma Chilton’s Confluence. It’s a remarkably accomplished work for debut fiction; I couldn’t wait to get back to it each time I was forced to put it down.

We meet Liam as he struggles in an uninspiring job in Sydney and an affair he’s not particularly invested in. When his mother calls with bad news about her health, he quits his job, and his sometime partner, to move back into their home near the ocean. It’s where he grew up, and unfortunately the scene of a mysterious and horrifying episode in which his father disappears. Liam was only ten years old at the time. He tries hard to deal with, and to trust, the spotty memories surrounding this incident. He finds it impossible, and must confront not only the ineluctable truth that his dad’s not coming back, but his own inability to move on from it. He’s never stopped searching for his missing dad; it’s a habit he formed early on, and has been in thrall to it for nearly twenty years.

Chilton treads a path through this thicket by alternating time frames between past and present. Her use of this device is perfect, unfolding the story with steady, digestible revelations as we go. All the while we feel sympathy with our young questor, his mother and missing father, and the intriguing young Thai/Aussie woman who shows an interest in him. The author rushes nothing, neither does she dawdle; her pace is exactly what it should be in a taut family drama. One hesitates to label this a coming-of-age story, but Liam’s emotional journey prior to the novel’s events has been stunted, blocked by his father’s disappearance and probable death.

I do not want to paint this as a depressing book. It’s the opposite. Human shortcomings, in the dicey tumult of a lifetime, affect everyone. Some people’s intentions are lacking, or limited, or simply immoral, but the principal characters here shine with friendship, decency, and compassion. Chilton resolves the conundrums and roadblocks and traps people find themselves in, without resorting to facility, or cliché, or hackneyed device. This is honest, strong fiction, and I welcome a new author in the literary fold.

[Ruairi Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a fine example of how some Indie authors are every bit as talented as traditionally published ones. I’ve only read a handful of these small-town mystery novels but this one is on par with most of them.

Chilton has a good command of the genre and knows how and when to hit the right notes. Her prose is clear and paints vivid scenes (likely a product of her journalistic training) and she is also capable of an emotive turn of phrase.

What’s most impressive about this book, though, is Chilton’s excellent feel for the balance between narration and dialogue. She skilfully controls the pace of the story through this balance, and in conjunction with a tightly constructed plot and sharp scene changes, sweeps the reader along, a sentiment borne out by the praise of other reviewers here and in particular their use of the phrase ‘page turner’ (it really is).

Chilton handles the character and time jumps very well, too (I was never confused about what was happening) and convincingly inhabits multiple personalities, while being careful to show restraint and care when dealing with some horrific themes.

The other big strength in this book is Chilton’s dialogue—she has a good ear for natural speech. And there were several scenes where if the dialogue attribution had been removed I still would have known who was speaking, which shows how well each character is differentiated.

Minor confusion on my part: there were a couple of occasions where pronouns suddenly appeared in the narration (I can recall at least the mention of ‘I’ and ‘us’) which led me to believe that the narrator was an individual who would be revealed at the end of the story (I don’t think this was the intention because these instances were so rare, but it nevertheless left me a little confused).

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. I could see it being adapted to a miniseries on television—the story had that cinematic feel to it. I also think that Chilton knows her craft well and has some great instincts as a novelist. I look forward to seeing where she takes her writing next.

[Janice Wassell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished reading Confluence and was left wanting more. As I read I totally forgot that I was reading fiction. The characters are so real and raw and I was right there with them. I loved the fact that there were no wasted words. All were necessary to bring the story to life. The writing is intelligent, empathetic and evocative.

[Hugh Packard · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engrossing read that had me hooked within a few pages.
For her first novel, Gemma Chiltern successfully inhabits the mind and life of a conflicted 30 year old male struggling with family and past demons

The reader is kept guessing right until the last end, and so I’m really looking forward to seeing what Gemma writes next

[Louise Mace · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first few paragraphs, this beautifully written and honest story transported me on a journey, which had me living and breathing the protagonists’ thoughts and emotions in a way that very few books are capable of. Without doubt a page turner! The story deals with an array of controversial subjects. Yet, despite the raw and often challenging subject matter layered throughout this book, there is enough complexity to satisfy all styles of readers, along with a gentle overtone that keeps the story balanced. I was instantly transported on a lovely and at times incredibly sad, visual journey through alternating periods of time crossing two generations that held me captive as a reader. Set in a small coastal Australian town, Liam the main protagonist is chasing demons and secrets from his past. There is a strong mystery and romance woven throughout. Confluence lives up to its title, by telling a story that reminds us that the past and present exist within all of us flowing on course and merging at a point, where confronting demons from the past are key to learning who we are. I had to think about this in the story, but it was clear by the end. Excellent conversation fodder and a very satisfying story that will resonate with the reader for years to come. Looking forward to seeing what this writer will release next!

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book set on the Australian coast, dark themes. Well written, definitely a page turner. Couldn't put it down.

[Ingrid Jacobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moving, very real story, a human story, of relationships, secrets kept and inherited, a convoluted mystery that keeps the reader guessing right until the end – beautifully written, and gently told. Definitely a page-turner. From the very first few evocative paragraphs, the style is impeccable and wonderfully descriptive. The characters are richly nuanced, developed well, and easy to relate to. It is a smooth read, flowing easily from one chapter to the next and even though many chapters jump both in time and space, it is not jarring at all.
The plot unfolds gradually but not so slowly as to become tedious – it remains just … flowing and gentle. The conclusion wraps it all up in a pleasing denouement.
This author deserves a following... I hope to see more of her work!

[Kim Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely enjoyed this book.
What I loved:
Short sharp chapters that were easy to digest
Large print (night reading made easy)
The twists and turns- just when you think you know the plot it takes a detour and changes
How familiar and real the characters felt- you really felt you knew them
It was Aussie and I could image being in the book’s location
It was gritty, sordid but so human and a snap shot of previous generations

It was a fabulous first book for the author and I am looking forward to the next book.

[Amy Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This complex and tragic novel is a compelling read. As you come to know the characters you can’t help but be drawn into their lives and join them as they search for answers. Beautifully written, this story will both shock and move you as it teases apart a family history and the secrets of this small Australian town. As is a often true of tragedies, it will also stay with you long after you’ve finished reading.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very impressive debut. Lean, evocative writing and deft interweaving of past and present. The build-up of tension towards the end is very well done indeed.

[Chelsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liam has always struggled with wanting to know what really happened to his father. He went out fishing one morning and never came home. His burned out boat was all that was found. No body and the police just said it was an accident. His mother is sick, so Liam is now forced to head back home where he has to face his past and decide his next path in life. Having felt stuck and not going anywhere, this is not what he expected would make things change for him. This novel is told from Liam's life now and also his life as a child leading up to that terrible day. So we get to see into who his father was and how he grew up. Would his father just taken off and is still out there or did something terrible happen to him. As Liam tries to care for his mother, pieces of the past continue to surface as well as his memory. What really happened that morning and is Liam holding the key to the truth of what happened. As every family has, this one also has secrets from the past and I enjoyed how the author slowly brought those to life as Liam is trying to figure out life himself. Thank you to the author for sending me a free ebook of this novel.

[Georgia Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully crafted novel which carefully controls language to paint vivid settings. The external spaces sometimes mirror and sometimes collide with Liam's interior space which creates intriguing tension.
There is a wonderful authenticity about the novel especially felt through the nuance of the characters and their relationships. Their experiences read in a visceral way.
What resonated with me was the way that the novel explored the different textures of memory.

[anie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liam lives in the city. His life isn't what he hoped it would be. He has a job that he doesn't love and an affair with a married woman. When his mom calls him and tells him she is sick, he has no trouble letting everything go and moving back home.

Coming back to his childhood home brings up all kinds of feelings. When he was just a kid his father disappeared. Coming back made him realize that he never let go of that.

The story jumps from past to present in an effort to paint the picture and provide insight into the characters.

It's a lovely story, about the family drama, of letting go of the past and finding love. And while I liked it, the writing style isn't the best fit for me.

thanks to the author for the book, all thoughts and opinions are my own

[Julie Poole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very few novels hold my interest and leave me reflecting on it long after the final words have been digested. Gemma Chilton's first novel is one of those that held me entranced from the first sentence through to the last.
Easy to read, well written and fast paced 'Confluence' takes the reader on a journey through time and generations. A family story of skeletons and unspoken of past deeds. We can all relate.
You will surely enjoy this novel as much as I did. Looking forward to Gemma's next published work.

[Bea · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read. The characters and their stories, spanning several generations are woven together beautifully by the author. Intense and thought-provoking. Highly recommend

[Jeannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to read Gemma's Confluence when I heard about it from a friend. However when I finally got it, I was in the thick of some very urgent project work. I put the book aside, thinking, I had to start reading it after I finished my project. One day, I thought to myself, I'd just have a quick peek and see if it was as good as I was told.
When I opened the book, the first lines took hold of me instantly: 'Out here, the air is heavy with quiet. The noises, which come and go, somehow can't compete with that quietness, which is overlaid on them. More like an entity than an absence.' I was like suddenly being teleported from the chaotic world of my work and existence, to this 'noisy' but 'quiet' place, totally absorbed in Gemma's every stroke of pen that slowly unfolded some profound pain being experienced by a couple.
Gemma's skills in being able to use the seemingly opposites of noise and quietness had allowed the reader to appreciate more deeply of the pain of the couple she subsequently described. I felt myself was inside their heads experiencing it with them...And, that was only the beginning of Gemma's Confluence.
I had to put the book aside many times due to my competing work and deadlines, but unlike any other books, I picked it up as soon as I had time, and continued to read. The plot was well structured and developed which drew me back to the book no matter how many times I had put it down. I loved Gemma's writing which is full of sensory imagery. You would hear and see with your mind's eye, the places Gemma wants you to see and the feelings she wants you to experience.
The book does not disappoint is an understatement.

[Ilana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Confluence had me flipping pages fast, that’s for sure. This was a riveting, beautiful story. It unfolded at a perfect pace, and the characters were believable and compelling.

[Hermione · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this read. There are some great crime or domestic thriller mystery reads coming out of Australia lately that are such page turners, and this one for me was one of them.
At first, I was really into this book as a mystery, with the main character returning home to where his father went missing, looking for answers.... but it turns out to be not just that mystery, but also an exploration of ordinary people coping with loss and trying to find themselves, understand their new identity after loss. I liked how different characters did this in different ways, and the insightful way the author explored this. Sometimes these plots are so over done, so light or so heavy on the drama that they're mawkish. I was really drawn in and found the way the book ended was really solid as well. A good read.

Thank you to the publisher for the copy of this book for review.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beautiful cover of this book perfectly depicts its contents; that of relationships, particularly between a boy and his father, and of a river flowing, carrying secrets and submerged memories beneath its surface, merging the past with the future.

The narrative is mostly seen through the eyes of Liam, both as a boy living in the small coastal town of Elanora and now at 30, living in Sydney. Liam’s father disappeared when he was ten. His wooden boat that he used for fishing was found washed on the river up burnt, but his body was never found. Now working in Sydney in a boring job and a failing relationship, Liam feels directionless so when his mother becomes ill, he readily quits his job and returns to be with her in Elanora.

Weaving in and out of these timelines, Liam reminisces about his father and the sister he lost. What he didn’t expect to learn was that his father had a deep, dark secret he had kept hidden until the day he disappeared.

Gemma Chilton writes with a beautiful style that is sparse and exact but richly lyrical. She also has a lovely feel for the Australian landscape, rendering atmospheric and evocative.
The narrative is carefully controlled, with the unexpected twists carefully delivered when they will have most effect. The pacing is excellent and the characters are realistically drawn and well fleshed out, such that they could be people you know. It’s a sad but satisfying tale of family secrets that led to tragedy, but also one of hope for Liam as he is finally able to move on from his past.

With thanks to Gemma Chiltern for a copy of her book to read

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Confluence absolutely belongs to be up there with the most popular Australian small town mystery novels. It is a superb evocation of inter-generational family secrets and suppressed emotional trauma, and Chilton weaves a story spanning multiple timelines with skill. The dialogue between the characters, in particular, was especially realistic and natural, and each character stood out as individuals with their own unique voice.

The mystery unravels slowly, but there are enough revelations peppered throughout the story to keep the reader interested. Some incredibly dark themes emerge, but are handled convincingly and with care.

This is a self-published book, and there are some noticeable grammatical errors and typos. A slightly tighter edit of parts of the story would make this book a 5 star read - I am really looking forward to reading Gemma Chilton's next novel!

Thanks to the author for sending me a review copy!

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I found it to be a real page turner, with interesting characters, and a family mystery and trauma that is as captivating and complex as any family drama that plays out over time, piece by piece, and takes the reader along for the journey. The Author's ability to capture human experiences realistically and without pretension is special. This is a remarkable debut novel and well worth reading.....and I believe it would make a great mini or limited series.

[Karen Taylor Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book was a pleasure. Gemma's language and attention to small details transported me to the northern beaches of Sydney as well as to a NSW coastal, country childhood. The story was gripping and character-led. It skipped between generations and left me wanting to finally know how these characters connected. A great first novel and I look forward to the next!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Families are complex entities, often with a few hidden skeletons. Gemma's book takes you on a journey through the decades, with a young man's need to know. The beautiful Australian setting all adds to the loneliness of his task. A very enjoyable read.