Book Review: Sarah Evans by Bernice Barry

 Sarah Evans is the powerful debut novel by Australian author Bernice Barry and I was totally immersed from the first to the very last page. After I'd read the last page and closed the book I actually said Wow! It was that impactful.

Set in early 1800's London, the story follows the life of Sarah Evans. Wrongly accused of theft she is sentenced to transportation to Australia (a fate considered worse than death). However when she catches the eye of the imperious Governor Aris he spirits her away to be his housemaid. What follows is a life of physical and sexual abuse in a time when women had no rights, none more so than those in poverty.

 

Sarah Evans is a totally captivating and heart-wrenching story. Closely based on the real life circumstances of Sarah Evans with events and dialogue drawn from original documents and prison records.

 

Bernice Barry brings her readers into a world filled with violence, corruption and ingrained poverty. It was a time of political upheaval and men championing social justice and equality were imprisoned. 

 

Through Sarah Evans we are given a protagonist who is down trodden, beaten and raped but still finds her voice for women's rights and never gives up the hope of freedom.

Sarah Evans is a powerful story where women don't judge each other's actions but do whatever they can to help each other whether it be a morsel of food or a bed for the night.

If you read historical fiction, Sarah Evans is one book not to be missed.

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Publisher: Echo Publishing

Publication date: 3rd September 2024

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 304

RRP: AU$32.99 ( trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Book Review: Grace & Marigold by Mira Robertson

Through Grace & Marigold Australian author Mira Robertson brings 1970's bohemian London to life on the page.

 

It's 1974 when 20 year old Grace leaves Australia to reinvent herself. Sloughing off her Australian accent she immerses herself in what she believes is the real London experience, living in communal squats, debating politics, attending drug fueled street parties and taking part in protest rallies.

The story follows Grace and her new found friends as she struggles with her sexuality and falls secretly in love with the charismatic and furtive Marigold.

 

Grace & Marigold will appeal to anyone who lived these rebellious, tumultuous days of the mid seventies and will bring back memories of a wild untamed freedom enjoyed by many of the 20somethings of that time. Young adult readers will enjoy an insight into the lives of their boomer parents/grandparents and may just be surprised how radical they were.

 

Grace & Marigold is a sapphic coming-of-age story and I enjoyed Grace's evolution. There are many tender moments and moments of tension with plenty of humour interspersed throughout the story.

 

My rating 3 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐

 

Publisher: Spinifex Press 

Publication date: 6th August 2024

Genre: Historical Fiction / LGBT

Pages: 272

RRP: AU$32.95

Source: Courtesy of the publisher 

 

Book Review: A Cold Season by Matthew Hooper

A Cold Season is the searing debut novel from Australian author Matthew Hooper. It is a heart-rending story of loss and grief set during a freezing post WWI winter in a small house in the foothills of Mt Kosciusko.

 

The narrator is 14 year-old Beth as she retells what happened the year her 17 year-old brother Sam went missing. Sam was trekking the hills above their property when a storm came through and trapped him on the mountain. Their father, Owens, leaves to find him and also becomes trapped in the winter storm.

 

As they wait for Sam and Owens to return Beth's mother Grace, convinced they will never return, finds solace in the local outlaw, Wallace.

Her burden of grief turns to anger and she blocks out Beth's brother Sasha and lashes out at Beth. 

 

Matthew Hooper never lets the reader forget how bitterly cold and harsh the climate is.

 

"I felt colder, like my clothes was not working and the mountain's cold was right inside me, making me shiver and shake and rub my knees."

The use of prose that are both lyrical and illiterate portray an uneducated narrator as Beth tells the story in her own words.

"But mostly we was thinking about Owens and Sam, ........ and we was both filled to the brim with upset and worry what sat in our stomachs like heavy stones submerged in dark sorrow-water what filled us up."

A Cold Season is a deeply felt story about how grief is managed in different ways. It is a story filled with sorrow and love and hate, and a sadness that is all consuming.

 I'd love to see it on the big screen one day.

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

If I could give it more stars I would!

 

Publisher: Transit Lounge

Publication date: 1st October 2024

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 224

RRP: AU$32.99 (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Quikmark Media

 

 

Book Review: The Paris Mystery by Kirsty Manning

The Paris Mystery is a cosy crime novel set in 1930's Paris, on the cusp of WWII. It is the first book in Kirsty Manning's Charlotte 'Charlie' James series.

 

Journalist Charlie James leaves Australia for a position at The Times Paris. She purposefully calls herself Charlie to circumvent preconceived notions of women in journalism.

Charlie is sent to cover a ball held by socialites Lord & Lady Ashworth. When a prominent Parisian is found murdered in the grounds of the ball, Charlie seizes the opportunity to interview attendees hoping this will be the scoop that will prove to her boss that she can do this job.

 

The Paris Mystery is an enthralling mystery. I had no idea who had murdered the victim and as Charlie, together with the police, interview each person we find that many people disliked the man enough to kill him.

 

An eclectic group of characters are introduced from many different countries that make up the Parisian community.

 

Kirsty Manning lusciously describes the beautiful gowns worn by Charlie and her friend Violet and evokes the sense of a flamboyant Paris before the hardships of war. The food, clothes and extravagant balls are all enchantingly described to bring the setting alive. 

 

As The Paris Mystery is the first in a series the pace is slow as the reader gets to know Charlie and the circumstances that led her to Paris.

 

Kirsty Manning takes her readers to 1930's Paris, to a world of luscious gowns, extravagant balls, illicit affairs, blackmail, murder and spirited females.

 

My rating 3 / 5   ⭐⭐⭐

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 30th August 2022

Series: Charlotte 'Charlie' James #1

Pages: 320

Source: Own copy

 

Book Review: Murder of a Suffragette by Marty Wingate

I enjoyed this cosy murder mystery set in the 1920’s and around a meeting of suffragettes.

The murder is discovered quite early in the book and as the investigation unfolds the mystery builds. Our protagonist Mabel Canning calls in her friends from the London Ladies Murder Club. Murder of a Suffragette is book 4 in a series but I didn’t feel like I had missed anything by not reading the previous books.

 

Murder of a Suffragette is a slow burn, character driven story. A nice easy read to sit down in a comfy seat with a cup of tea.

 

A few red herrings had me guessing and double guessing who the murderer was. I never did get it right.

 

Murder of a Suffragette is a light read with an engaging mystery, a touch of humour and memorable characters ( especially Gladys the dog). Perfect to escape into for a few hours.

 

My rating: 3 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐ 

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication date: 28th October 2024

Genre: Cosy Mystery

Pages: 331

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Netgalley

 

 

 

Book Review: The Hidden Girl by Lucinda Riley

 The Hidden Girl

by

Lucinda Riley

with Foreword by Harry Whittaker

 

Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Publication date: 10th September 2024

Genre: Historical Fiction / Contemporary Fiction

Pages: 576

RRP: AU$34.99

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: The Hidden Girl

I wasn't quite prepared for how dark The Hidden Girl was. I have read a few books by Lucinda Riley and I don't remember them having so much heavy content.

 

The Hidden Girl is narrated through multiple timelines and multiple characters spanning generations.

 

Present Day: Rose and David are estranged siblings however reconnect when David asks Rose to take his 16yo son for the semester break. Brett has a brief holiday romance with village girl Leah who years later will take the modelling world by storm.

The Hidden Girl is a generational saga going back to David and Rose's parents, the concentration camps of WWII and to the present day.

From Yorkshire to London to the catwalks of Milan then on to New York, the hectic and not so glamorous life of a top model is riddled with competition, obsession and sabotage.

The Hidden Girl is a big book, over 500 pages, refreshed and updated by Lucinda's son Harry Whittaker. There is also an informative foreword by Harry.

With themes of the concentration camps of WWII, murder, allusions to child abuse, sexual abuse, domestic abuse, obsession, suicide,  male dominance, servitude, gaslighting and rape. The Hidden Girl is not for the faint hearted.

 

I have to say though, the story had me glued to the pages even though I was continually shocked by the content, the twists were many and just when I thought I couldn't be shocked anymore I was hit by another twist.

My rating 3 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐

 

 

Book Review: Murder in Punch Lane by Jane Sullivan

 Murder in Punch Lane

by

Jane Sullivan

Publisher: Echo Publishing

Publication date: 2nd July 2024

Genre: Historical Fiction / Mystery

Pages: 368

RRP: AU$32.99 (paperback)

Source: courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Murder in Punch Lane

Set in 19th Century Melbourne Murder in Punch Lane is a haunting murder mystery.

Inspired by the death in 1868 of actress Marie St Denis from a laudanum overdose Jane Sullivan writes a fictional 'what if' story; what if she was actually murdered?

 

Sullivan's writing is poetic and lyrical which justly suits the backdrop of the story being rehearsals of a Shakespearean play.

Thinking it is much more than the recorded cause of suicide, actress Lola Sanchez takes it upon herself  to investigate the death of her friend Marie. She enlists the help of journalist and magazine editor Magnus Scott.

 

I did enjoy the setting of a bohemian Melbourne with dark alleys and opium dens and also the melodramatics of the theatre rehearsals.

 

What I did struggle with was the characters, not one likeable one among them! Our female main character was a fatalist where I wanted a fighter and her offsider, like every man in this book, was a misogynist.

Crooked police and judges, allusions to actresses willingly sleeping with men to get parts and a gentleman's dinner where the women attend naked, it was more ick than gothic. 

 

I did love the writing, I had no clue who the murderer was, and there were plenty of suspects, plus the unexpected twist that really knocked me all contributed to my rating.

 

My rating 3.5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐½

Book Review: The Youngest Son by John Byrnes

 The Youngest Son

by

John Byrnes

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia

Publication date: 30th July 2024

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 400

RRP: AU$34.99 (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: The Youngest Son

The Youngest Son is an epic tale that follows the lives of three siblings growing up during the great depression and spans the years 1929 to 1943 encompassing events of WWII in Tobruk and New Guinea.

 

John Byrnes has brought the streets of 1930's Sydney to life. The Leach family lived in Ultimo (The Mo) where most people were poor and desperately trying to keep a roof over their head. Evictions were rife and the common man was fighting back with picketing and riots. Prostitution, street fighting, illegal gambling, drugs and crime were an everyday part of life.

 

John, the eldest Leach sibling, had visions of attending University and then joining the priesthood. He had great empathy for the underdog and felt he had his life plan in order.

Maureen wanted more out of life than what her mother had settled for. Maureen had stars in her eyes and wanted the glamorous life of the women she read about in magazines. 

Bob, the youngest Leach, learnt early on that his fists talked louder than words. Him and his friends start out as petty criminals but soon find themselves mixing with the big boys of crime in Sydney's shady underbelly.

 

The Youngest Son is rich in flawed characters. I had great empathy for the Leach siblings, they were all very naive, made bad decisions, couldn't control their emotions and when things went wrong they seemed to always react in a detrimental way. 

I loved the Australian vernacular, the language and imagery of Sydney and surrounding suburbs was spot on. I was actually thinking at one point "yes, I know exactly where that factory is."

This is a gritty story which includes murder, scenes of war, drug use, sex scenes (these are more to add humour than spice) and profanities. 

The Youngest Son is a captivating story of power, revenge, betrayal and family. A real page turner, once I started I didn't want the story to end.

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Plus that extra star for a character named Veronica 🌟

 

Book Review: Among the Grey Gums by Paula J. Beavan

 Among the Grey Gums

by

Paula J. Beavan

Secrets, corruption and bushrangers.

 

Publisher: Harlequin Australia

Publication date: 5th June 2024

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 400

RRP: $32.99AU (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

Review: Among the Grey Gums

Among the Grey Gums is my first read by Paula J. Beavan and I absolutely loved it! I do have Paula's debut novel on my shelf and I can't wait to read it.

 

I loved Lucy's character! She was forthright, courageous and strong.

 

1842 Hunter Valley, Lucy is a woman in a man's world, fighting to survive and make a living in a harsh environment. Everyone that knew her respected her but it was still a dangerous place for a woman, she had to not only be tough but smart too.

 

Constable Samuel Donovan was the perfect hero, respectful and compassionate. He had been sent to the Hunter Valley to investigate the local magistrate and why there had been no progress on capturing a gang of bushrangers. The Constable ends up helping Lucy try to clear her brother-in-law's name when he is accused of murder.

Among the Grey Gums is a riveting historical fiction. I love that Paula J. Beavan writes strong, feisty female characters. Lucy is doing what is considered to be a man's job, and doing it well. I liked the descriptions of the bullock teams, how they all had names and the whole process of yoking the team up, travelling through the harsh countryside and sleeping under the stars.

There is a perfect division of good and bad characters which balanced the story out nicely.

A very subtle romance thread added a heartwarming touch to this story of murder, corruption and manipulation.

I'm excited to read Daughter of the Hunter Valley, where we are introduced to another strong and resilient female character.

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Book Review: Free by Meg Keneally

 Free

by

Meg Keneally

Publisher: Echo Publishing

Publication date: 30th April 2024 

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 336

RRP: $32.99AU (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Free

I have a great love for Australian colonial stories that include determination, everyday struggles and the love that develops for this new country and Meg Keneally showcases all of these elements to perfection in Free. 

Keneally uses Mary Reibey as her inspiration for the character of Molly Darrow later to become Molly Thistle who had a key role in her previous book The Wreck. 

I remember when I read The Wreck I wanted to know more about Molly Thistle and here it is.

We learn how Molly came to be in Australia. From stealing a horse and escaping the gallows to being transported to Australia. Molly shows a tenacity to not let others determine her fate. If there is something she can do to turn the tables in her favour she is not scared to take the reins and head into the unknown.

Meg Keneally gives an adequate portrayal of life in Australia however doesn't over emphasise the cruelty, murder and beatings of convicts preferring to concentrate on the achievements made by Molly and her husband despite the many setbacks they encountered.

I was totally captivated by this story of courage, determination and sheer hard work that sees a young convict girl rise above the discrimination and setbacks to forge a life for herself and her family.

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

My review of THE WRECK by Meg Keneally

 

 

Book Review: The Lost Letters of Rose Carey by Julie Bennett

 The Lost Letters of Rose Carey

by

Julie Bennett

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication date: 1st May 2024

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 368

RRP: $32.99AU (trade paperback)

Source: uncorrected proof from publisher

 

Review: The Lost Letters of Rose Carey

The Lost Letters of Rose Carey was inspired by the life of vaudeville star, swimmer and actress Annette Kellerman.

 

Narrated through the dual timeline of Rose in 1923 and Emma in 2024. 

 

In 1923 Rose is going through a hard time financially and she needs to reinvent herself. She has an amazing new act that will put her in the spotlight again. However tragedy strikes and she starts to question everyone close to her not knowing who she can trust.

I absolutely loved Rose's story! She was such a strong inspirational woman. Many of Annette Kellerman's achievements are mentioned throughout the story which had me looking for more information on the internet. Her life was fascinating and beautifully portrayed through the character of Rose.

In 2024, Emma and her wife Lauren are struggling with failed IVF attempts and the pressure it is putting on their marriage. Emma finds some old film canisters and letters and is soon pulled into researching the life of Rose Carey. I wasn't so captivated with Emma's story and couldn't see the parallels between her and Rose's lives.

I would have been quite happy to read a whole book on Rose Carey alone.

The Lost Letters of Rose Carey is a fascinating story of love and betrayal. The book moves along at a fast pace through passion, heartache, mystery and unexpected twists.

I loved the final connection to women and fitness, to love, celebrate and look  after their bodies.

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Julie Bennett's debut novel:

THE UNDERSTUDY

 

Book Review: The Lost Lover by Karen Swan

The Lost Lover

by

Karen Swan

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia

Publication date: 30th April 2024

Series The Wild Isle #3 

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 420

RRP: $34.99 (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: The Lost Lover

Could my heart be any more shattered!! 💔

 

If you are following this series you will know each book follows one of the young women on the isle of St Kilda the year before they are evacuated.

Through extremely clever plotting Karen Swan has written three (so far) completely different stories involving the same characters and timeline but through a different point of view.

The Lost Lover, Flora's story, is another epic installment of The Wild Isle series, superbly written and heartbreaking.

We know from previous books Flora's life is set. She has a rich fiancé and when she leaves the island they will be married. 

The Lost Lover starts a year earlier than the previous books and we find out how Flora and James met and fell in love. It is not as plain sailing for Flora as we were led to believe.

There was so much in this book the previous books didn't reveal and I was captivated all over again by the harshness and the beauty of St Kilda.

There are brief mentions of events in previous books however Swan is careful not to simply rehash the first two books. The Lost Lover goes further and details Flora's life off the island where her extraordinary beauty sees he welcomed into Paris high society.

The Lost Lover ends on one of Karen Swan's notorious cliff hangers making me eager for book 4.

The Wild Isle series would have to be one of the best Historical Fiction series I have read!

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Other Karen Swan books I have read:

CHRISTMAS BY CANDLELIGHT

THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

THE CHRISTMAS PARTY 

THE CHRISTMAS POSTCARDS 

TOGETHER FOR CHRISTMAS

THE GREEK ESCAPE 

THE HIDDEN BEACH

MIDNIGHT IN THE SNOW 

THE SECRET PATH

THE SPANISH PROMISE 

THE LAST SUMMER  The Wild Isle #1

THE STOLEN HOURS The Wild Isle #2

 

 

 

Book Review: The Mistress of Dara Island by Averil Kenny

The Mistress of Dara Island

by

Averil Kenny

A tropical paradise is her birthright ... but will its dark secrets destroy her dreams?

 

Publisher: Echo Publishing

Publication date: 3rd April 2024

Genre: Historical / Mystery

Pages: 368

RRP: $32.99AU (trade paperback)

Source: courtesy of the publisher

Review: The Mistress of Dara Island

The Mistress of Dara Island is an enchanting story of power, money and long held secrets, set on a fictitious island off the coast of far north Queensland.

 

Tahlia (Tally) is the only child of Nerissa the owner of Dara Island and one day the land that she loves will pass to her. However the exclusive resort is currently run by her rich and powerful father, and he wants Tally to have nothing to do with it.

 

The willful and determined Tally was not scared to stand-up to her cruel and militant father. He banishes her from the island but she vows to return and claim her birthright.

 

Set in the 1960's Averil Kenny richly evokes the beauty and seclusion of the island with a luxury resort on one side and the other filled with treacherous peaks covered in jungle. 

I loved the wonderfully portrayed characters in this story and many of the chapters ended on little cliff-hangers that kept me eagerly reading.

What starts as a story about a willful girl and her love of the island soon morphs into a suspenseful mystery with plenty of jaw-dropping twists.

The Mistress of Dara Island is the perfect holiday read!

My rating 5 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Another fabulous book I have read by Averil Kenny:

THOSE HAMILTON SISTERS

 

 

 

Book Review: The Wartime Vet by Ellie Curzon

 The Wartime Vet

by

Ellie Curzon

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication date: 4th April 2024

Series: A Village at War #3 

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 331

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: The Wartime Vet

The Wartime Vet is a cozy mystery/historical fiction set in 1942 country England during WWII.

 

Laura moves from her job as a small animal vet to the country town of Bramble Heath where she is employed to care for the local farm animals; the sheep and cows that will provide food for the nation.

 

I loved that Laura was strong and determined, the 1940's were a hard time for women to be taken seriously in jobs that were usually undertaken by men. When she believes that someone is sabotaging the farms she does not falter at going over her curmudgeonly bosses head to notify a higher authority. 

 

Ellie Curzon includes the invaluable work of the Land Girls Army and how they had to overcome sexism and suspicion.

I could easily imagine the small country town of Bramble Heath with children evacuated from the city running around on the farms. However these idyllic little towns didn't escape the air raid-sirens and the danger of enemy bombs.

 

The Wartime Vet is a cozy mystery novel with a light romance thread running through the story. It also explores heavier themes of PTSD, disrespect for servicemen with mental health problems, traitors, the land girls army and how women had to fight for the same recognition given to men.

 

My only complaint is that it became quite repetitive at times, going over and over things that had already been explained.  

 

My rating 3.5 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐½ 

 

 

Book Review: Those Girls by Pamela Rushby

Those Girls

by

Pamela Rushby

Publisher: Walker Books

Publication date: 3rd April 2024

Genre: Young Adult / Historical Fiction

Pages: 336

RRP: $19.99AU (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of publisher

 

Review: Those Girls

In Those Girls, Pamela Rushby writes about a little known area of women's involvement in the second world war.

As men leave the country to join the fighting a void is left in the area of food production. This is where the Australian Women's Land Army (AWLA) was formed and many young women left their homes to make their contribution to the war effort, working on farms picking and packing fruit, digging potatoes and milking cows. The back breaking and relentless work was vividly described as the girls work hard and support each other making firm friendships along the way.

Those Girls is an easy, engaging read. Descriptions of the farms and working conditions are well portrayed as the girls endure harsh summers and bitterly cold winters. Rushby gives a wonderful insight into the lives of these girls (mainly aged 14 -18 years). Even with working long hours the girls find some time to socialise and have some fun, go dancing, meet American soldiers and even fall in love.

Snippets into the girls' lives before the Land Army work and the lives of their families at home waiting on news of their missing sons is well researched and written to target the young adult audience of 14+ years.

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Publisher recommended age 14+ years

Alludes to consensual sex

unplanned pregnancy

unwanted advances

 

Book Review: The Milliner of Bendigo by Darry Fraser

 The Milliner of Bendigo

by

Darry Fraser

Trouble with the law. A missing sister. Evie Emerson has a dangerous adventure ahead of her ...

 

Publisher: Harlequin Australia

Publication date: 29th November 2023

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 432

RRP: $32.99AU (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: The Milliner of Bendigo

Right from the start I was invested in the characters in this story and having characters from a previous book pop into the story gave an added level of connection.

 

Evie is a fabulous character, headstrong and intelligent. She finds herself unduly coerced by her current date who is pushing her to marry him. When Evie says no he sues her for breach of contract and proceeds to sully her reputation.

 

The Milliner of Bendigo is chock full of wonderful characters and one or two not so wonderful. My favourites were; the strong and determined Evie who works for Lucille Downing in her milliner shop, The affable David Kingsley who has his eye on the widow Downing, Fitz the roving reporter who is always after the next big story, and the shy and gallant Raff. 

 

The Milliner of Bendigo is fast paced and rich in mystery and drama. Told through multiple points of view I was totally invested in all the characters' stories and raced through the book.

 

Darry Fraser keenly evokes the atmosphere of the old gold mining towns of country Victoria and her vivid descriptions of the drought conditions left me well imagining the heat and dust. 

 

Set on the verge of federation, themes of water rights, corruption, cover ups and murder make The Milliner of Bendigo a must-read for historical fiction fans.

 

This is my second book by Darry Fraser and I am now keen to read her backlist.

 

my rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

 

Book Review: The Goldminer's Sister by Alison Stuart

The Goldminer's Sister

by

Alison Stuart

Gold is a fever. Will it lead her to love ..... or death? 

 

Publisher: Harlequin Australia

Publication date: 8th July 2020

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 381

RRP: $29.99AU (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher 

Review: The Goldminer's Sister

In The Goldminer's Sister, Alison Stuart deftly evokes the attitudes and nuances of 1800's Australia.

Set in the goldfields of country Victoria, Stuart depicts the small towns of the late 1800's with startling clarity.

 

Eliza sails from the UK to Australia, after her mother's death, to be with her brother, Will. It isn't until she arrives in Maiden's Creek that she learns of her brother's accidental death and her Uncle offers her lodgings.

Eliza's curiosity over her brother's death starts to mount as she gets to know more people in the town and she begins to wonder why her uncle is so keen to be rid of her.

Mysteries start to appear right from the start of the book and as the story progresses the mysteries deepen and an element of suspense is added. The Goldmines are a dangerous place for women however Eliza will not back down, she is outspoken and feisty. Stuart's characterisation is perfect, Eliza is well formed and believable.

The introduction of Alec, a man of honour, Will's friend and mine manager, gives a good balance to the other lecherous men and introduces an element of romance.

 

The Goldminer's Sister is a fabulous read, rich in mystery and danger, theft and deception, showing how profit quite often came before people's lives.

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Challenges: Mount TBR challenge

 

 

Book Review: The Land Beyond the Sea by Sharon Penman

 The Land Beyond the Sea

by

Sharon Penman

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia

Publication date: 28th January 2020

Genre: Historical Fiction 

Pages: 672

RRP: $32.99 (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: The Land Beyond the Sea

I do love historical fiction however I tend more towards books set in the 1900's to 1950's. The Land Beyond the Sea is set in the 12th Century, not my usual read but I loved the whole saga, the politics, betrayals, murder, wars, raids, arranged marriages and allegiances. It's all there!

The social standing and hierarchy of the time is well portrayed.

At 672 pages The Land Beyond the Sea is a big book however there is always something new happening, which kept me invested in the lives of the characters.

"Sharon Penman's The Land Beyond the Sea tells the epic tale of a clash of cultures that will resonate with readers today."

 

There is also a handy list of characters in the front of the book and at the back is an afterword, author's note, acknowledgments and sources of research.

 

my rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Book Review: The Age of Light by Whitney Scharer

 The Age of Light

by

Whitney Scharer

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia

Imprint: Picador

Publication date: 12th February 2019

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 375

RRP: 29.99AU (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: The Age of Light

The Age of Light is a fictional rendition of the life of artist Lee Miller, concentrating on the years she spent with Ray Man. After extensive research and finding little is taught about Lee Miller in art history courses Whitney Scharer has written a darkly intoxicating story about the woman behind the man.

The main timeline of the book is the late 1920's and set in a bohemian Paris. Lee has left New York and modelling behind and wants to pursue a career in photography. When Lee meets Man ray they embark upon a passionate affair. Man Keeps Lee close but she doesn't mind as they are working together and experimenting with photographic techniques. As Lee builds her own confidence in her work, Man's jealousy and real personality show.

Lee and Man's affair is totally consuming but it is this affair that suddenly makes Lee realise that it's not her controlling men with her beauty, The men in her life have always controlled her.

There are chapters on Lee's life as a journalist during the war. However these are very short and only give flashing scenes of the horrors that damaged her and caused her withdrawal from society. There are also flashbacks to Lee's childhood showing the trauma that shaped her personality.

I liked Lee and could understand it was her upbringing that made her so aloof. Scharer doesn't play on the bouts of depression that obviously plagued Lee's life instead giving her readers a story of growth and survival in a male dominated world.

The Age of Light was an engrossing read. I read it in a day! It would not only appeal to readers interested in the Arts but anyone who enjoys a good story of betrayal.

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Book Review: The Emerald Tablet by Meaghan Wilson Anastasios

The Emerald Tablet

by

Meaghan Wilson Anastasios

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia

Publication day: 25th June 2019

Series: Benedict Hitchens #2

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 416

RRP: $29.99AU (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: The Emerald Tablet

Meaghan Wilson Anastasios, using her knowledge as an archaeologist and her time working in the Middle East, has written an atmospheric and riveting story centred around a race to find a mythical emerald tablet that holds the power to destroy mankind.

The Emerald Tablet is set in 1956 during a time of political upheaval in the Middle East as Britain, France and Israel fight over the rights to the Suez Canal.

Benedict Hitchens puts everything on the line as he follows the clues and deciphers the puzzle that presumes to lead to the final resting place of the Emerald Tablet.

The Emerald Tablet was a fabulous read, fast paced, full of twists and rich in danger. I enjoyed following Ben as he found the clues and deciphered each one to move on to the next clue. It was a race against time as the countries he crossed were in the midst of political turmoil and he also had an old foe to beat to the final prize. That is, if the Emerald Tablet is fact and not purely a myth!

Meaghan Wilson Anastasios evokes an astute sense of place and time with lots of history included and extracts from The London Times.

I loved everything about this story; the race, the twists, the suspense, the betrayals and I found it hard to put down as the story sped to the final conclusion.

My rating 4 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Content: a graphic sex scene

               torture scenes

You can read my review of The Honourable Thief (book #1) at this link:

https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogspot.com/2018/08/book-review-honourable-thief-historical.html