Down the Rabbit Hole

Down the Rabbit Hole by Shaeden Berry is a gripping tale that begins with the disappearance of Alice Montgomery in 2015. Seven years later, her best friend Hannah is drifting from job to job and city to city, constantly feeling the urge to escape something she cannot quite identify.

Feeling the irresistible pull to return home, Hannah decides to go back to her small coastal hometown in Western Australia for the first time since she left. She aims to support her mum after surgery and address their strained relationship.

Upon learning that Marnie Montgomery, Alice's mother, has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, Hannah is struck by the fear that she will never uncover the truth behind Alice's disappearance. Did Alice run away, or did she meet a darker fate? Desperate for answers, Hannah starts her inquiry with Marnie, who has faced longstanding rumours suggesting her involvement.

Marnie, who is both an addict and a recluse, denies any responsibility, instead accusing a local teacher, Rachel Olney. Rachel is tormented by shattered dreams and the repercussions of a single wrong choice she made long ago.

This narrative unravels the lives of three women—Hannah, Marnie, and Rachel—examining unchecked grief, and the profound roles of mother and daughter. It highlights the devastating ways they can inflict pain upon each other. While the enigma of Alice's disappearance remains at the edges, it becomes apparent that the story focuses not on a potential crime, but on those left grasping for closure in the aftermath of tragedy.