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Lyrebird

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Lyrebird

By: Jane Caro
Narrated by: Jessica Douglas-Henry
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About this listen

Lyrebirds were mimics. They didn't create the sounds they made, only repeated what they had heard. Had the bird actually listened to some poor woman begging for her life? Jessica looked around uneasily. The bush that had seemed so benign and beautiful only minutes before now seemed sinister.

Twenty years ago, ornithology student Jessica Weston filmed a lyrebird mimicking the dying screams of a woman in the Barrington Tops National Park. Terrified, she took her recordings to the Maitland police to report a murder. Despite support from newly minted detective, Megan Blaxland, no one was reported missing in the area and no body found, so Jessica's claims were mocked and dismissed.

Twenty years later, a body is unearthed. Exactly where Jessica said it would be.

Megan Blaxland, now a retired senior sergeant, is persuaded to return and lead the cold case investigation. The first thing she does is contact Jessica Weston, now an Associate Professor at Newcastle University.

Jessica and Megan are appalled that the dead woman, whose last moments were heard by only a lyrebird and her killer, has been ignored and forgotten for so long. They both feel they have let the victim down, and are determined to find the killer, whatever it takes.

What they do not realise is it is not just their own lives that may be in danger.

As with her previous novel, The Mother, where she shines a light on the tragedy of domestic violence, Jane Caro once again expertly illuminates the injustices perpetrated against women, particularly those who are marginalised, within a gripping, suspenseful thriller.

©2025 Jane Caro (P)2025 W. F. Howes Ltd.
Crime Thrillers Espionage Mystery Spies & Politics Thriller & Suspense Women Sleuths Exciting

Critic Reviews

'Ripper story - couldn't put it down!' BRYAN BROWN

All stars
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Jane Caro has outdone herself! This quintessential Aussie setting is perfect for a complex and brilliantly written murder mystery. Jane winds important issues through the action and intrigue. Her best book yet!

Brilliant read (or listen)

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I found this book very enjoyable. Once I started I couldn’t stop listening to it. Wonderful book.

Worth it

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Great story and wonderful characters. Loved the concept of tge crime story - starting with the lyrebird and how the story revealed the connections between each character.

Great story

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Two men- I won’t name them as it would spoil the mystery for future readers.

The many modern problems touched on.

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I couldn’t put it down, wonderfully written!
Can’t wait to read any other books by Jane Caro.

So well written

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Superb read. This book deserves to be read by all crime fiction fans. The horror of bushfires is very well drawn and devastating to read.

Excellent well written plot

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The role of the bird is a great device and plausible, if you’re familiar with the capabilities of the lyrebird. Jane Caro’s characters and context all ring true. Jessica Douglas-Henry’s narration is an added bonus. Her characterisations are easily recognised and yet nuanced, convincing but not caricatures.

Great story and characters, beautifully narrated.

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The characters felt very real in the main. Sadly, this would be the experience of hundreds of young trafficked women.

Capturing a regional area and weaving current issues into a suspenseful story.

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It was an innovative complex and harrowing narrative. It wove a few complex themes and characters

Lyrebird

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A simple premise in an Australian setting with the story and complexity gradually developing with a satisfying conclusion

Very Australian and beautifully read

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