The author offers some interesting insights about the self sabotaging things people do online as well as the harmful acts they do in real life. Recommended for all libraries. ( )

Search History is a great debut novel by Amy Taylor, exploring known topics like relationships and work alongside newer issues. Specifically - what happens when you know more than you should about your boyfriend because you’ve internet stalked him but he won’t reveal more? It’s the main dilemma for Ana, the main character.

Ana has recently moved from Perth to Melbourne after the breakdown of her long-term relationship. Sure, she’s a bit upset but the relationship had run its course (to the point where she never refers to him by name, but only as the ex). She’s found a new job and is making new friends after a bad experience with dating apps. She meets Evan the old school way at a bar and they get along well. But Ana can’t resist a bit of background knowledge investigation and finds him on the internet. More specifically, she finds his previous partner Emily. She’s gorgeous, a good person and also dead. (I know what you’re thinking at this point, but it’s not that sort of book). Ana tries to get Evan to talk about Emily, but he won’t. Ana gets more creative in her relentless quest to find out more about Emily (nearly getting caught several times in the process) but does it help or hinder her relationship?

Search History starts out very strongly, combines Ana’s feelings of otherness in her new city and reflecting on her differences from childhood. The opening chapters are brutal and confronting, but do simmer down somewhat. The ending of the novel was great, taking an unexpected turn and finding contentment in different places. The middle does drag a little as Ana and Evan’s relationship goes up and down. (I would have liked to have read more about Ana’s concerns about being attacked while out alone and her workplace, which was weirdly quirky). Ana’s reflections on her parents and her very different relationships with her parents were great, particularly as they came to understand each other as adults. (Ana’s dad sounds like embarrassingly good fun).

The threads about Ana’s online life, from being coerced as a teenager to anonymous stalking are slightly creepy, as I think they are meant to be. The novel takes a look at something that is normalised nowadays – internet stalking in the name of seeking background, sending nudes – and examines just how potentially weird and unacceptable that is in the cold hard light of day. From the ‘Nudes Receivable’ folder to the following the threads of Emily’s friends and family on social media, there is something off about Ana’s preoccupation with Emily. The thing is that Ana knows it, making the reader less uncomfortable with what she’s doing and more likeable as a character. But as the other characters share what they’ve found via their own deep social media digs (even Ana’s friend Beverly, who Ana seems to think is pretty perfect), it becomes more relatable. But it is acceptable?

Search History is an interesting read that offers an insight into various relationships and dating in the modern era. Amy Taylor is a writer to watch.

Thank you to Allen & Unwin for the copy of this book. My review is unbiased and honest.

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