Traces of Absence
Holoubek, Susan

RRP
A$29.99

A missing daughter, her distraught mother.
A foreign country. A history of deceit.

When Dee's daughter, Corrie, decides to spend her gap year in Argentina, it seems like the perfect solution to their strained relationship. That is, until Corrie goes missing. Facing every mother's worst nightmare, Dee boards a plane from Australia to launch a frantic search.

Four years later, Dee returns to Buenos Aires for what she concedes may be the last time. But on this visit, a fresh lead triggers a new search - one where Dee must place her trust in strangers to help her navigate the vibrant but often threatening city.

Dee's search for Corrie is overshadowed by the fear that her failings as a mother may have had something to do with Corrie's disappearance. To what extent is Dee to blame? And is this a question that she will ever be able to answer?

Traces of Absence is a stirring and thoughtful portrayal of parenthood, guilt, faith and hope. And of the redemptive power of simple human kindness.

Author Information

Susan Holoubek was born in Melbourne in 1963. Her family moved to Adelaide in 1976. She has worked in education, community development and healthcare. Her PhD in Creative Writing from the University of Adelaide was awarded the E.W. Benham Prize for English Literature in 2010. In 2011 she was shortlisted for the Wet Ink/CAL Short Story Prize. Susan is married to guitarist, Charli Holoubek. They have three children, Martin, Eloise and Damian. Traces of Absence is her first novel.