Set on a remote outback station in red-hearted Australia, this is a tale of friendly, likeable people which involves the reader at once. Joanna, a single mother, and her six- year-old Mia are going to visit Joanna's new boyfriend Chris on the station. This is a big step forward in their relationship, and Joanna's committed to spending weeks here helping to feed builders and stockmen. She hadn't realised the place was quite so isolated.

THE HERB GARDENER seems an odd title among eucalyptus. Joanna teaches Home Economics, and she wisely keeps her thoughts to herself when Chris's mother brings over a meatloaf made with just meat and an onion. There is an established herb garden, tucked away with a few lemon trees, and Joanna starts employing aromatic herbs in her cooking. She's not used to the open country and feels nervous, especially when one of the young builders, Jesse, goes off to date a girl and never returns. Local farmers are putting in tree crops, such as olives, to ease the toughness of sheep farming. Uncouth, misogynistic workers abound, and Chris habitually joins them to drink beer in the evenings. Joanna feels increasingly lonely - and then Jesse is found dead in his parked car.

I found that a gradual sense of tension is noticeable amid descriptions of the desiccated landscape, brown sheep and the ominous call of carrion crows. A Detective Sergeant calls to inspect Jesse's caravan home, finding a foul fetish made of bits of dead creatures. Who wished Jesse ill so far from anywhere?

Interesting characters include Ailsa, a married neighbour with quite a reputation who seems friendly, but possessive of Chris; Mickey, a foul-mouthed slob of a stockman; and Mia, the inquisitive, accepting little girl who finds something to do everywhere and would love a pony. One lady tells us her maxim: if you have to lie about it, don't do it. Someone else does quite the opposite. With local wildlife, rare rain and cannabis growers, there's plenty going on as we explore with author Maris Morton. The scant entertainment however brings out a darker side in some people.

THE HERB GARDENER is a well-judged book with pacing, atmosphere and knowledge in a perfect mix, whether as a travel book or a crime story. Read it and taste the red dust.