Aus dem australischen Englisch von Maren Feller
Wenn die Wildnis nicht dein einziger Gegner ist – wem kannst du noch trauen?
„Die Maori nennen diesen Ort Ata Whenua – das Land der Schatten.“
Fernsehreporterin Callie Brown ist ein Stadtmensch mit einer Vorliebe für guten Kaffee. Dennoch lässt sie sich darauf ein, mit einer Gruppe alter Freunde durch die unwirtliche Wildnis von Neuseeland zu wandern, in der Hoffnung, über eine zerbrochene Beziehung hinwegzukommen.
Was sie nicht weiß: Jemand hat es auf sie alle abgesehen.
Verloren in einer der entlegensten und rauesten Gegenden Neuseelands und nicht nur den Elementen ausgeliefert, setzt der Überlebenstrieb bei den Wanderern ein. Jeder von ihnen trägt seit zehn Jahren sein eigenes Geheimnis mit sich. Callie muss sich entscheiden, wem sie vertrauen kann, damit sie nicht die Nächste ist, die stirbt …
„Ein packender Debütroman mit einer prächtigen Kulisse.“ Literary Inklings
„Schockierend, überzeugend, tragisch und ergreifend – und letztlich lebensbejahend.“ Debbie Young’s Reading Life
„Mein Lieblingsroman des Jahres.“ Clare O’Beara, Amazon UK Top 500 Reviewer
„Großartig.“ Wordsmith
„Zum Eintauchen.“ Vicky Newham
Thalia.de – Amazon.de – Amazon.com – Amazon.co.uk – Kobo – Barnes & Noble – iTunes – BookDepository – Weltbild –
Erster Roman der „Wild Crimes“-Reihe
Watch the trailer
AWARDS
IPPY Awards Silver Medal 2015
Varuna Publisher Fellowship for Manuscript Development 2011
Definitiv nichts für schwache Nerven. Absolute Leseempfehlung. [katikatharinenhof, LovelyBooks]
Packend. [girasole, Kriminetz]
Absolute Spannung bis zum Schluss – der Hammer! [M.K, Amazon]
Unbedingt lesen. [Elisabeth K., NetGalley]
Die Geschichte entwickelt einen Sog, dem man sich nur schwer entziehen kann. [AnnieHall, LovelyBooks]
Kaum aus der Hand zu legen. Belinda Pollard – bitte mehr davon! [C Sudau, Amazon]
Ein eindrucksvoller Roman. [littlecalimero, LovelyBooks]
About the Author
Belinda Pollard ist eine preisgekrönte ehemalige Journalistin mit einer Schwäche fürs Bergwandern – trotz Höhenangst und kaputter Knie. Verschollen in der Poison Bay ist ihr erster Roman, für den sie 2011 ein Varuna-Verlagsstipendium erhielt.
Watch Belinda open the package the day her proof copy arrives…
The stories behind the making of Poison Bay
I did some day hikes while touring the south island of New Zealand some years ago, and was astonished by the Fiordland mountains. My cardio-vascular system was equally astonished. Man, are those mountains steep. And gorgeous. So gorgeous.
I might still be saying: “I’d love to hike the Milford track” if it wasn’t for that mosquito. That horrible insect that brought such suffering into my life was also the catalyst for one of my greatest achievements.
A guest appearance on The Writing Desk, by Tony Riches:
As an aspiring mystery writer and all-round nice person, I thought, “This landscape would make a good murder weapon.”
Activist Debbie Young writes about that character with Type 1 diabetes…
Although Belinda’s initial intention was just to write a great thriller, the final result is a terrific novel that will raise awareness and foster better understanding of Type 1 around the world. I was privileged to help her fine-tune the diabetes story line drawing on my family’s experience of living with the disease.
Interviewed by Maggie Christensen at Cafe Cala:
the novel that hovered at the edge of my imagination for 20 years. … The idea developed in 1995 after a New Zealand holiday during which (thankfully) no one was murdered.
More reader reactions:
Book bloggers
“Suspenseful and nearly impossible to put down, the story grabs the reader’s attention and keeps them guessing as deeper layers slowly begin to reveal themselves. Poison Bay is a diligent study of human behavior, of how tragedy can unhinge us and desperation can motivate us; it also examines the way we look at people, as Callie begins to understand her misguided teenage fancies and sees the merit in people she had always overlooked for their simplicity.” Casee Marie, Literary Inklings
“Poison Bay is a journey of self-discovery in the same mould as Deliverance (without the duelling banjos) and Lord of the Flies (without the kids) and, on a lighter note, City Slickers (without the laughs), but up there with them in the memorability stakes. I’ll definitely be on the look-out for Belinda Pollard’s next novel.” Debbie Young, Debbie Young’s Reading Life
“[E]xemplary research, an evocative location, consistently spot-on narrative pacing, a deepening mystery and an intriguing ensemble cast.” David Antrobus, thebookreviewers.com
“I love stories that transport me to a different world, suck me into the lives and emotions of others so that I become unaware of my surroundings … The characters are well written – not just the eight friends, but the anxious mother and the tenacious police officer as well. … It is clear also that Belinda Pollard has carried out thorough research. If you like mysteries or stories about the outdoors, I can’t recommend this book highly enough. Clare, The TBR Pile
“If you only read one book this year, make it Poison Bay by Belinda Pollard. An absolutely brilliant read.” Sandra, Beauty Balm
Goodreads
“Belinda Pollard expertly weaves the different points of view into a plot that will leave you at the edge of your seat. By the middle of the book I was not able to put it down anymore.” Felicity Green, Goodreads Reviewer
“With excellent prose that you just want to read over and over again, mixed with plot twists and intense characters, this is definitely one to pick up.” Amie McCracken, Goodreads Reviewer
“Belinda Pollard has written a complex thriller and set it in an amazing location.” Alison Gray, Goodreads Reviewer
“Ms Pollard’s previous career as a journalist is evident in this perfectly balanced and well-plotted story.” Georgie, Goodreads Reviewer
“The writing is wonderful – at times I felt I was there alongside the characters in the cold and relentless rain on the side of a mountain in New Zealand. This is a story about greed and revenge and how they can destroy lives… friendship and teamwork and parents’ love for their children… survival of the elements, mistrust and faith.” Wordsmith, Goodreads Reviewer
Amazon
“It was a story I was keen to continue reading and sorry when it was ended. A great first novel.” Anne Moorhouse, Amazon Reviewer
“It is a hugely enjoyable read, which had me guessing throughout. It is packed with action and full of gripping description of one of New Zealand’s most remote and magnificent landscapes.” Marianne, Amazon Reviewer
“Ticks every box for a great read. Couldn’t put it down! Moves along at a cracking pace, my jaw actually dropped a couple of times.” MJ Dunstone, Amazon Reviewer