"Broken Glass" by Adrian Stirling is a young adult thriller set in a struggling rural Australian town called Broken Glass. The story revolves around Danny Clarke, a young man whose life took a tragic turn five years ago when he befriended Nile, a dangerous and unstable individual. Danny's association with Nile led to a terrible incident, resulting in Danny testifying against his friend, sending Nile to prison.
After serving his sentence, Nile returns to Broken Glass, and the town is once again consumed by the horror of his past actions. The residents want Nile to leave, and Danny grapples with unresolved anger and confusion over his feelings for his former friend.
As tensions rise, the novel follows Danny's descent into a state of emotional turmoil. Ultimately, he takes drastic action to rid the town of Nile's presence, resulting in a shocking and tragic climax. Danny ends both his life and Nile's in a dramatic sequence, with their bodies being swept away by a dirt storm followed by unexpected rain, leading to a flood. The story explores themes of isolation, the impact of past trauma, and the consequences of one's choices in a claustrophobic and unforgiving small town.
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