I first discovered Fleur McDonald's books nine years ago when I read and reviewed Indigo Storm in 2016 (before I started this blog). I was immediately taken with Fleur's character of Detective Dave Burrows (as were hundreds of other readers).
I couldn't wait for each book to come out. I've recently been making my way through Fleur's backlist. Click on the title to read my review of her debut novel Red Dust.
Blue Skies is narrated through a dual timeline.
In 2001 - Amanda is trying to work with her father to save the family farm Kyleena. Just out of Ag College with a degree in Agribusiness she is full of new ideas and eager to implement them. Her father is old school and they often lock horns.
In 1934 - Michael Greenfield arrives from England to start a new life in Australia, acquiring land and building Kyleena from the ground up.
Blue Skies is rich in drama. Both timelines involve heartache and miscommunication making Blue Skies a riveting read. There is plenty of mystery and strange happenings that kept me immersed in the story and eagerly turning pages.
I enjoyed the historical timeline involving the Greenfield family history, the mystery surrounding Michael Greenfield and the building of Kyleena.
The modern day timeline features women in farming and how alone and vulnerable Amanda felt at times.
Fleur includes themes of family skeletons, revenge, gas-lighting and sabotage all wrapped around a compelling mystery.
I enjoyed Blue Skies and can also see how far Fleur McDonald's writing has come over the years.
My rating 3.5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐½
Note: Dave Burrows is not in this novel
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Publication date: 1st January 2010
Genre: Fiction / Small Town Fiction
Pages: 328
Source: Own Copy
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