Finally, a new Christian White! And it's a ripper!

It's been three years since the last Christian White novel was published so I was keen to read The ledge when I finally got my hands on a copy. I've already made a Christian White appreciation post, to give my thoughts on this masterful storyteller's previous three books. It's hard to review his books as their power lies in part in their mind-blowing (but entirely believable) twists and there's no way as a reviewer I would want to spoil the experience. White's fourth outing hasn't lost that power!

The ledge | Published September 2024 | Read July 2025

Having read all three of White's previous novels, I was expecting an expertly-crafted, suspenseful page-turner with a gigantic twist that I didn't see coming. I did, however, nurse a little doubt as to whether he'd be able to pull it all off again, as often when authors stick to a formula, their books become somewhat predictable. Not so with Christian White. All four books have been unique in their own way, relying on strong characterisation, a deep sense of place, and a load of clever misdirection.

The ledge uses the dual timeline device to tell the present-day story of the discovery of human remains in a forest in regional Victoria that is linked to the 25-year-old story of a group of 16-year-old friends - Justin, Aaron, Chen and Leeson - whose tight friendship and teenage pact set off a chain of events with tragic consequences.

The two stories are intertwined as the discovery of the remains brings old secrets to the surface, particularly when a detective is brought in from the Big City to investigate the case. The friends reunite in the small town, desperate to hold onto those secrets as the events of 1999 start to reveal themselves.

I absolutely loved the 1990s, Stand by me vibe of the past story. White does an incredible job of evoking those times, with a distinctly Australian flavour. Both timeframes are steeped in atmosphere and intrigue, with a deep portrayal of all the players involved, including The Ledge as a character in and of itself. The book is also suspenseful, tense and foreboding and, as a reader, I was kept on the edge of my seat, waiting for something bad to happen and for the twist to be revealed.

White's books are always at their heart, character stories, about ordinary people doing Very Bad Things. He also tackles weighty subjects without being heavy-handed. This time, there are strong themes of toxic masculinity, friendship and loyalty, and the pain of nostalgia when the past comes back to haunt.

When the Big Reveal came, I was left flawed. It literally took my breath away. The closing reveal completely threw me and made me rethink everything I had previously felt about the four boys at the centre of the story. I briefly went back over the book to see if I could work out the clues and where I had missed them. I'd have to read the whole book again properly, knowing what I know now, to fully appreciate its mastery. Bravo, Christian White, bravo!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐