Showing posts with label Historical Fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Historical Fiction. Show all posts

Saturday 6 January 2024

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 ...
 

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 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
 
 

Wednesday 29 November 2023

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? 
 
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


 
 

Saturday 18 November 2023

Book Review: The Land Beyond the Sea by Sharon Penman

 The Land Beyond the Sea

by

Sharon Penman

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 ⭐⭐⭐⭐



Saturday 11 November 2023

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 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Tuesday 7 November 2023

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:
 
 

Wednesday 25 October 2023

Book Review: The Last Line by Stephen Ronson

 The Last Line

by

Stephen Ronson

Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton
Publication date: 16th November 2023
Genre: Historical Fiction / Crime
Pages: 341
Price: $16.99AU (kindle edition)
Will be out in paperback in Australia on 13/2/2024
Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Netgalley
 

Review: The Last Line

I have to say I love to read any stories set during WWII. I have read many and they have all been diverse in the area of the war the stories are centred on.
 
The Last Line is set in country England on the outskirts of the war zone but the citizens are still very much aware that the Germans could arrive at any minute.
 
The protagonist John Cook is a farmer but he has fought in WWI and Afghanistan. He is a trained killer.
When a young woman is found murdered on his land he is the prime suspect to a lazy police force. Knowing the murder won't be investigated further, John turns vigilante and starts his own reconnaissance work, never expecting the level of corruption he will become embroiled in.

The Last Line is a fast-paced mystery thriller written in a crime noir style narration. It is hard not to barrack for John, he is a marvelous anti-hero. There is a lot of violence throughout the novel and the main subject is quite confronting. However, I loved all the intrigue and the character of John was very believable. He made mistakes and took them badly.

The setting is fabulous - distanced from the war yet right there amongst it with children being evacuated from London and billeted to country families, whilst underground groups are setting up defence tactics if the Germans reach them.

The Last Line is a great read! I'm looking forward to another John Cook novel and wondering where he will go from here.

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

Stephen Ronson grew up in Sussex, and spent a large part of his childhood exploring the woods and fields around Uckfield, many of which were still dotted with reminders of WW2 - pill boxes, tank traps, nissen huts, and graffiti left by soldiers awaiting D-Day.

He is a passionate student of local history, and when he learnt about Auxiliary Units - groups of men who were instructed to lay low during the predicted nazi invasion and lead the fight back, he knew he had to write about a Sussex farmer, one with a love of the land, and a natural desire and ability to get the job done.

Many of the locations and characters in the John Cook series are inspired by real places and real people. In particular, Stephen was inspired by his grandparents, Eric, Bessie, Peter and Vera, each of whom did their bit on the home front.

Tuesday 26 September 2023

Book Review: A Jewish Girl in Paris by Melanie Levensohn

 A Jewish Girl in Paris

by

Melanie Levensohn

Adapted from a translation by Jamie Lee Searle

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia
Publication date: 9th August 2022
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 448
RRP: $34.99AU (trade paperback)
Source: Courtesy of the publisher
 

Review: A Jewish Girl in Paris

A Jewish Girl in Paris is a must read for all historical fiction fans. Moving from war torn Paris in the 1940's to Washington DC in the early 2000's.
 
On his death bed in 1982 Jacobina's father confesses to having another daughter, Judith, who he left  behind in Paris after divorcing her mother. Over two decades later Jacobina confides in volunteer care-worker Beatrice that she promised her father she would find out what happened to her half-sister. Beatrice offers to help her and a friendship sparks between the two women.
 
1940's Paris, and Judith is attending University, working in the library and falling in love with the handsome Christian. Life is perfect! But the German occupation is increasing and the Jews are being vilified more and more.
 
A Jewish Girl in Paris is a beautiful story that I didn't want to end. A fictional tale of courage and resilience, inspired by real events and circumstances.
I loved Judith's naivety and her thoughts that everything will be fine. It came across as very realistic.
The story follows Judith's life leading up to her being sent to Auschwitz. Showcasing her bravery, and Christian's determination to save the woman he loved. 

Beatrice works for the World Bank but her character really evolves when she volunteers as a care-worker and meets Jacobina and the search for information on Judith starts.

There are a few "sliding door" moments, when key characters miss each other by mere moments, which I thought were an ingenious addition to the story.

A Jewish Girl in Paris has a tantalising blend of danger, romance, mystery and historical events.

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ + an extra ⭐ for a character named Veronica 💖

About the author

Melanie Levensohn studied international relations and literature in France and Chile. She earned her master’s degree from Sciences Po in Paris. She later became a spokesperson for the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland, reporting from countries in crisis round the world. From 2006 to 2013 Melanie worked as a communications at the World Bank in Washington, D.C., managing corporate external relations for the Caribbean region. She now lives in Geneva.

Thursday 21 September 2023

Book Review: The Magpie's Sister by Kerri Turner

 The Magpie's Sister

by

Kerri Turner

Publisher: Echo Publishing
Publication date: 2nd May 2023 
Genre: Historical Fiction 
Pages: 336
RRP: $32.99 (Trade paperback)
Source: Courtesy of the publisher
 

Review: The Magpie's Sister 

Who doesn't love a circus! The Magpie's Sister is an evocative and moving story about an Australian circus and the performers' lives.

The Magpie's Sister focuses on two main characters, both given to the circus, under different circumstances, at a young age. The story is told in the dual narration of Maggie, who suffers from a facial deformity, and Charlotte, the beautiful tightrope walker. The pair start to become friends but lies and deceit will test the delicate line of trust they have developed.

Set in Australia in 1911 I found it heartbreaking at how cruel people could be. This was a time when the circus was the only place people with a deformity could live some semblance of a normal life. Not all circuses were as kind and benevolent as the one Kerri Turner depicts in The Magpie's Sister.

I loved all the descriptions of circus life, the moving from town to town, and the fact that not everyone was happy to have the circus in town. It was a hard life.
The story brought back many happy memories of attending circuses when I was young and also attending with my own children.
 
Kerri Turner has written a fascinating and heartfelt story of friendship and letting people in. Family is not always the one you are born into!
 
My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

Kerri Turner is an Australian author of historical fiction. Her books and short stories focus on female roles throughout history that have been largely overlooked or forgotten, and often include elements of the performing arts. Her short stories have appeared in several national and international publications. With a Diploma of Publishing and an Associate Degree (Dance), she splits her time between writing, and teaching ballet and tap dancing to seniors.


Wednesday 20 September 2023

Book Review: A Disappearance in Fiji by Nilima Rao

A Disappearance in Fiji

by

Nilima Rao

Publisher: Echo Publishing
Publication date: 6th June 2023
Series: Akal Singh #1
Genre: Historical Fiction / Mystery
Pages: 276
RRP: $32.99 (Trade paperback)
Source: courtesy of the publisher
 

Review: A Disappearance in Fiji

A Disappearance in Fiji is a fabulous depiction of life in Fiji during the indentured Indian Servitude Program where lower class Indians were brought to Fiji to work on the sugar cane plantations.
Set in 1914 the story follows Sikh Indian police officer Akal Singh who has been sent to work in Suva after an "incident" in Hong Kong which left him disgraced.

I immediately warmed to Akal, he was so gentle and always wanted to do his job as best he could. Akal always believed in doing the right thing and he was faced with some moral dilemmas throughout the book.
The mystery surrounding his transfer was always at the back of my mind.
 
Nilima Rao perceptively portrays the prejudices that existed in the early 1900's against the Indian workers in the servitude program. A program that was little more than slavery under a different name. Even with his standing as a police officer Akal Singh found himself on the receiving end of racist remarks.

The mystery of a young woman's disappearance from a sugar cane plantation was weaved through the facts of the horror of the plantation workers' conditions and treatment. 
Set over a five day period in October 1915, I loved the keenly described scenes and the eclectic cast of characters, both good and bad, each had me totally immersed in their lives.

A well researched addition to the story was the newspaper articles that preceded each chapter. The author later explains that these were real clippings from the Fiji Times published during the era. Much of the story is based on real historical fact with some liberties taken for the purpose of the story.

A Disappearance in Fiji is an impressive debut and a great start to a new series. I am looking forward to the next Akal Singh mystery.

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

Nilima Rao is a Fijian Indian Australian who has always referred to herself as ‘culturally confused’. She has since learned that we are all confused in some way (and has been published on the topic by Australia’s Special Broadcasting Service as part of the SBS Emerging Writers Competition, so now feels better about the whole thing). When she isn't writing, Nilima can be found wrangling data (the dreaded day job) or wandering around Melbourne laneways in search of the next new wine bar. A Disappearance in Fiji is her first novel, and she is currently working on the second in the series.
 

Wednesday 13 September 2023

The Perfumist of Paris by Alka Joshi

 The Perfumist of Paris

by

Alka Joshi

Publisher: Harlequin Australia
Publication date: 5th April 2023
Series: The Jaipur Trilogy #3
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 384
RRP: $32.99
Source: Courtesy of the publisher
 

 Review: The Perfumist of Paris

The Perfumist of Paris is the third book in The Jaipur trilogy by Alka Joshi. Not having read the first two books I did find my connection with the main character Radha was flimsy. However I never felt like I had missed something plot wise during my reading of the book.  
 
The Perfumist of Paris is set in 1974 with Radha forging a career in the perfume industry. A career she loves and is good at.
Through Radha, Alka Joshi portrays the guilt that all working mothers have. Whether it's having to work or wanting to work, as Radha did, the guilt that their children, and husband, are being neglected is all consuming. 

I've never really contemplated how perfume is developed and I found the process and the areas of inspiration that Radha followed was fascinating.
I loved both the setting of Paris and also that of India and how different each country was. It was easy to become immersed in the sites, smell and cuisine of both countries.
 
There is the addition of a compelling mystery worked through the plot and also a long held secret from Radha's past that catches up with her. 

The Perfumist of Paris is a fast, immersive read about being true to yourself, finding your passion and accepting past mistakes. I would however recommend reading the trilogy from the beginning.

My rating 3 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐

About the author

Alka Joshi was born in India and raised in the U.S. since the age of nine. She has a BA from Stanford University and an MFA from California College of Arts and runs an advertising and marketing agency. She has lived in France and Italy and currently lives in Pacific Grove, California, with her husband.



Saturday 2 September 2023

Book Review: The Doll Factory by Elizabeth Macneal

 The Doll Factory

by

Elizabeth Macneal

Freedom is a precious thing

Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Imprint: Picador
Publication date: 30th April 2019
Genre: Historical Fiction / Gothic / Thriller
Pages: 336
RRP: $29.99 (Trade paperback)
Source: Courtesy of the publisher
 

Review: The Doll Factory

The Doll Factory is a gripping and bone-chilling gothic thriller. A tale of love and obsession set mid 19th Century London.
 
Macneal thrusts her readers into the streets of 1850's London detailing the filth, poverty, pick pockets and prostitution. The story is very confronting however Macneal delivers it all without judgement.

Women were expected to marry and have children but for those without marriage options life was an endless slog of backbreaking work. When Iris is asked to model for an artist her family disowns her however she is now open to a whole new world of art and freedom. A world where one man's obsession and delusion will put her in grave danger.
 
Macneal's characters are beautifully rendered and come to life slowly on the pages as their descriptions are layered throughout the narrative.
 
The Doll Factory would have to be one of the creepiest books I have read. An ominous feeling hangs in the air and even though I knew what was coming, when the scenes unfolded they were disturbingly unsettling. 

About the author

Elizabeth Macneal was born in Scotland and now lives in East London. She is a writer and potter and works from a small studio at the bottom of her garden. She read English Literature at Oxford University, before working in the City for several years. In 2017, she completed the Creative Writing MA at UEA where she was awarded the Malcolm Bradbury scholarship. The Doll Factory, Elizabeth's debut novel, won the Caledonia Novel Award 2018.

Challenges: Mount TBR challenge.

Sunday 2 July 2023

Book Review: The Stolen Hours by Karen Swan

 The Stolen Hours

by

Karen Swan

A reluctant bride. A forbidden romance.
 
Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia
Publication date: 26th April 2023
Series: The Wild Isle #2
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 415
RRP: $34.99AU (paperback)
Source: Courtesy of the publisher

Review: The Stolen Hours

The Stolen Hours is the second book in The Wild Isle series and is just as fabulously intriguing as the first. I love that Karen Swan has added a note to the reader in the front of the book giving a quick recap of the first book, The Last Summer.

I thought I had it all worked out at the end of the first book however this startling new story, set over the same time period, only from a different character's POV, left me with more questions and serious doubt as to my previous thoughts.

The Stolen Hours is from Effie's good friend Mhairi's point of view. Mhairi takes a trip to the island of Harris to meet a farmer in need of a wife. Whilst away from her family Mhairi falls in love; but not with the man she is now obligated to marry. Christianity and God's wrath weigh in heavily in this novel and Mhairi's concerns for her virtue are real. She feels like a fallen woman, through no fault of her own, and these feelings go on to manufacture the course of her last few months on St Kilda.

I loved seeing Effie from a different point of view and since this book's focus is on Mhairi I was feeling a compulsion to reread The Last Summer to see what hints I had missed about Mhairi's life.

Even though this book is set over the same time period with the same characters it is a whole separate story. So don't think this will be a rehash of a plot you have read before.
A bitter winter in a harsh unforgiving land and a village that works as one; betrothals, secrets, death, superstitions, loyalty and friendships, The Stolen Hours is a must read.

I finished this book eager for more!

My rating 5 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

Karen Swan is the Sunday Times top three bestselling author of twenty-four books and her novels sell all over the world. She writes two books each year - one for the summer period and one for the Christmas season. 
Previously a fashion editor, she lives in Sussex with her husband, three children and two dogs.
The Stolen Hours is the second of a five-book historical series called The Wild Isle, based on the dramatic evacuation of Scottish island St Kilda in the summer of 1930.

Wednesday 21 June 2023

Book Review: Inkflower by Suzy Zail

 Inkflower

by

Suzy Zail

I think there is no better day than Global MND Day to post my review of Inkflower
 
Publisher: Walker Books
 
Publication date: 5th July 2023
 
Genre: Young Adult / Historical Fiction
 
Pages: 384
 
RRP: $22.99AU (paperback)
 
Source: Courtesy of the publisher
 

My review of Inkflower

Fifteen year old Lisa's father has Motor Neurone Disease and only six months to live. He gathers the family together to tell them the story of his childhood. A story of a young boy who fought against all odds to survive.
 
Lisa battles with the idea of this new version of her father; a dying man with a devastating childhood. His stories bring to life the grandparents, aunts and uncles she never had the chance to meet.
 
Inkflower unfolds in a dual time-line narration. The now, set in the 1980's, is narrated by Lisa as she navigates school and friendships whilst coming to grips with her father's illness and also who she is. The then, is narrated by Lisa's father Emil as he tells his family the harrowing story of a young boy bullied at school for being Jewish, taken from his home in Czechoslovakia and the horrors of his years in Auschwitz.
 
The balance and parallels between Emil's years of fighting for survival in Auschwitz and his battle against the debilitating effects of MND were astutely portrayed.
 
Inkflower is a deeply moving story of survival inspired by the true events of the author and her family.
Suzy Zail has written an honest and candid story of love, courage, family and resilience.
There can never be too many stories detailing the horrors of Auschwitz and they need to be recorded now because soon there won't be any survivors left.
 
My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 
Publisher's recommended age: 14+

About the author

Suzy Zail has worked as a litigation lawyer, specialising in family law, but now writes full time. Among other titles, she has written The Tattooed Flower, a memoir about her father's time as a child survivor of the holocaust, the story which inspired this novel. Her first novel for young adults, the Wrong Boy, was short listed for the Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards, the Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature, the WAYRBA, USBBY and YABBA awards. 
You can visit Suzy online at suzyzail.com.au and on Instagram @authorsuzyzail
 

Saturday 10 June 2023

Book Review: A Man of Honour by Simon Smith

 A Man of Honour

by

Simon Smith

Publisher: Echo Publishing
 
Publication date: 7th February 2023
 
Genre: Historical Fiction
 
Pages: 307
 
RRP: $32.99AU (Paperback)
 
Source: Courtesy of the publisher
 

 My review of A Man of Honour

Simon Smith says in his prologue the seed of this story was planted in his mind as a young boy when his mother sat him down and told him the story of his ancestor; a young man who tried to assassinate  a prince.

A Man of Honour is a powerful story, beautifully told through polished prose. Smith's writing is old worldly and lyrical. The realness of the time, the setting, the language and characters make this an immersive read. O'Farrell was a master of subterfuge and I could feel his charisma working its charm throughout the novel. O'Farrell believed he was exacting revenge for all Irish by killing the one person that was so loved by Queen Victoria. But was he a terrorist, a patriot or a madman?

Simon Smith uses both fact and fiction in this retelling of the life and ultimate execution of Henry James O'Farrell the Irish born Australian who shot and injured Prince Alfred during his visit to Australia in 1868.

Every character in this story is a real person and Smith uses artistic license to add the thoughts and emotions of his characters. Many of the conversations are copied from real transcripts kept in archives and some of the letters of correspondence are copies of the actual letters sent. Smith's acknowledgement of sources shows the research was extensive.
 
The plot does jump all over the place with the point of view often changing, however well detailed chapter headings let the reader know precisely where you are in the story.
 
A Man of Honour is a mesmerizing story of a man who may or may not have been completely sound of mind, but he was misled by his friends and paid the ultimate price for his crime. 

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

Simon Smith has travelled the world for most of his life as a freelance cinematographer. From a small village on the island of Pentecost in Vanuatu, to the rehearsal room of an Ibsen play in Brooklyn, to a Foreign Legion barracks in France, to refugee camps on the Thai-Cambodian border, to camping out with First Nations artists in the Great Sandy Desert, he has relished hearing remarkable people's stories and sharing them with the wider world. Now he has swapped his camera for pen and paper, and become a storyteller himself. A Man of Honour is his debut novel.
Simon lives with his partner and their congenial cat Danny Boy in Darlinghurst, Sydney.


Thursday 1 June 2023

Book Review: Dawnlands by Philippa Gregory

 Dawnlands

by

Philippa Gregory

A King in trouble. A country divided. A woman determined.
 
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
 
Publication date: 15th November 2022
 
Series: The Fairmile #3
 
Genre: Historical Fiction
 
Pages: 544
 
RRP: $32.99AU (paperback) 
 
Source: Courtesy of the publisher
 

My review of Dawnlands

Dawnlands, set in 17th century England, is the third book in The Fairmile series.
Dark Tides ended with Alys and Alinor settled in their merchant business on the wharves in London and Alinor's brother, Ned Ferryman, living in America.

As with the previous two books there is a large gap of time between this book and the previous book. Having the books set in different time frames allows them to be read well as standalone.

Ned is leaving America to join the rise against King James II. The native American Pokanoket people have been enslaved and are being sent to the sugar farms in Barbados.

I love how Gregory mixes history and fiction and as you read it on the page it feels like her characters are real and were part of the downfall of James II.
Livia is back and scheming her way into the young Queen's favour to garner position for herself and her son. The character of Livia will not disappoint! She is beautiful, charismatic and evil. No act was too low for her if it meant bettering her position in life.

Dawnlands is a story of tyranny, greed, slavery and the fight for equality and freedom. The slavery and conditions on the sugar farms was an eye-opening addition to the story, showing the greed and cruelty of plantation owners. Apart from the cruelty we also get the thoughts of 'good white folk' who thought slavery was fine as long as you treated them well, thinking they were actually doing these people a favour.

Gregory states that Dawnlands took three years to write and I think it was well worth the wait. Her writing is captivating and it flows effortlessly from one scene to the next with each point of view being just as interesting as the last.

An extensive bibliography shows that the novel was thoroughly researched.

Bringing a new generation into the story with Alys's granddaughters and Rob's daughter makes me feel like this series won't be ending here!

Trades done, deals made, slaves entrenched, intrigue abounded, loves lost and a King overthrown; Dawnlands is a must read!
 
My rating 5 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

Philippa Gregory is the author of many New York Times bestselling novels, including The Other Boleyn Girl, and is a recognised authority on women's history.
Many of her works have been adapted for the screen.

Reviews of other books in this series:
 
 
 

Saturday 13 May 2023

Book Review: A Woman's Work by Victoria Purman

 A Woman's Work

by

Victoria Purman

Publisher: Harper Collins Australia
 
Imprint: HQ Fiction
 
Publication date: 5th April 2023
 
Genre: Women's Fiction / Historical
 
Pages:  358 
 
RRP: $32.99AU (Paperback) 
 
Source: Courtesy of the publisher
 

My review of A Woman's Work

A Woman's Work is a poignant look at the expected role of married women post WWII Australia.
 
Set in 1950's Australia when the chance of winning a cash prize in a cooking competition could open up a wealth of opportunity.
Told through the dual narrative of two Australian mothers; Ivy Quinn, war widow and single mum to 12yo Raymond, and wife and mother of five, Kathleen O'Grady.

Victoria Purman knows how to immerse her readers into the lives of others. We get a very personal view of both Ivy and Kathleen's lives; their dreams, internal conflicts and despair.

Ivy is a single working mum, she constantly worries if she is doing enough for Raymond, he has no father figure and she is concerned this may have a negative effect on him.
Kathleen, a SAHM of five, finds her days overwhelmed with washing, cleaning and cooking. Her and her husband have grown apart and she feels lost.
 
Both women find a new purpose and confidence when they decide to enter the Australian Women's Weekly recipe competition with a  cash prize of £600.

I immediately connected with Ivy and her son Raymond. Kathleen took me longer to work out. I didn't like her at all until the penny dropped and I realised she had severe depression (sometimes I need these things spelled out to me).

I loved all the cooking and recipes and whilst reading I had so many things I would have liked to ask my grandmother about. I also enjoyed all the nostalgia Purman invokes with the inclusion of rationing, movies of the time, fantales, the Melbourne Olympics and Bex powders.

A Woman's Work is a truly engaging read, and even though set in the past is perfect for contemporary fiction readers.

My rating 4 / 5    ⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

Victoria Purman is an Australian top ten and USA Today bestselling fiction author. Her most recent book, The Nurses' War, was an Australian bestseller, as were her novels The Land Girls and The Last of the Bonegilla Girls. Her earlier novel The Three Miss Allens was a USA Today bestseller. She is a regular guest at writers festivals, a mentor and workshop presenter and was a judge in the fiction category for the 2018 Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature and the 2022 ASA/HQ Commercial Fiction Prize for an unpublished manuscript.

I'm off to make some cheese and gherkin scones! 😀

Saturday 8 April 2023

Book Review: The Death of John Lacey by Ben Hobson

 The Death of John Lacey

by

Ben Hobson

Publisher: Allen & Unwin
 
Publication date: 31st January 2023
 
Genre: Crime / Mystery
 
Pages: 352
 
RRP: $32.99 (Paperback)
 
Source: Courtesy of the publisher via DMCPR Media 
 

My review of The Death of John Lacey

The Death of John Lacey is not only a story about John Lacey, it's a story about the harsh Australian countryside.
Hobson delivers an authentic Australian historical drama set during the mid to late 1800's. Told through the dual narrative of Ernst Montague, the son of a convict sentenced to life in Australia, and that of John Lacey, a smooth talking entrepreneur.  Ernst and John's lives cross at different times as the reader is taken to the gold fields and surrounding areas where men and women work hard to survive.
 
Hobson builds an ominous feel around John Lacey as he lurks around the gold fields doing favours and building alliances. He is a man that lusts for power and rules the town with an iron fist. Hobson also cleverly builds empathy for Ernst even though he is on the wrong side of the law and when Ernst and John confront each other the town will become divided.

I loved the conversations between the male characters, they were slow and sparse, coming across as very authentic. I also enjoyed reading about Australia and it's early years. It was a harsh country with some cruel men but there were also those that were willing to help others at their own expense.

If you are after a story that shows the struggle of early Australians coupled with the good and bad in men themselves, this will be a book you will thoroughly enjoy.

My rating 5 / 5   ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

Ben Hobson is a teacher, and an author, based in Brisbane. To Become a Whale, his debut novel was released in 2017. His second novel, Snake Island, a literary thriller, was released in 2019.