This House of Grief - Helen Garner

 This House of Grief - Helen Garner

She read

This is the non fictional account of a father accused of drowning his three sons in 2005.  On Father’s Day, Robert Farquharson, separated from his wife, drove his car over a dam and into the water.  He escaped, but his sons, whom he was returning to their mother, did not.  Farquharson claimed he had a coughing spell that rendered him unconscious.  But he was upset by his estrangement, especially since his wife had taken up with a new man. Well known award winning Australian author, Helen Garner, recounts the incident and her first hand account having attended the trials as well as becoming acquainted with many of the family and friends of the Farquharsons.  

I enjoy true crime novels and this reads well as a story and legal thriller.  It was interesting learning about the Australian justice system.  Garner interjects some of her own feelings into the book and this added to the humanity of the case.  The jury, of course, rendered their opinion, and Australian citizens all had their own views,  but it is up to the reader to decide whether they feel justice was served or not.  I think even those who are not true crime enthusiasts but appreciate good writing and like a solid mystery or legal narrative will enjoy this book. 

Thanks to #netgalley and @aaknopf for the ARC.

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