Force of Nature is a thriller/mystery novel written by Jane Harper, the second in the Aaron Falk series, set in Australia.    Five women set out on a four day corporate retreat backpacking into the remote Giralang Range, but only four return.   A search is started and the police question the women and anyone else associated with the missing Alice Russell.   Their stories are not consistent as the author patiently develops the characters of the five women, each flawed, each with secrets, each dealing with personal, family, and work issues.    Two police teams investigate and the truth slowly unfolds, but this is not a procedural detective story.     It is an interwoven account of people under stress with trust, betrayal, loyalty, personal growth, resentment, fear, and anger.    The truth is revealed through the interactions of the women with each other and the police, and at the end of the book regret and guilt are stronger than denial and lies.

This is another compelling story by Jane Harper and it is recommended as an engaging read.   4.5 stars/5.