'This is the third novel of the Curlew series; fifteen year old Ben McDonald goes on the run from the law after his temper causes an unfortunate incident at the 1900 Melbourne Cup and leaves a man dead.
'From the Palmer River to the Top End and the Golden Mile, the trenches of Gallipoli and desert warfare with the Light Horse, danger and catastrophe dog his life. Every bit of tenacity he’s inherited from his illustrious grandmother, Eliza, is needed as he battles the odds and strives to achieve.
'His friendship with a suave Englishman, Basil Southerland, has unexpected and ongoing ramifications for his future and that of succeeding generations.' (Publication summary)
Curlew Enigma
Moorooka
:
Boolarong Press
,
2014
7316027
2014
single work
novel
historical fiction
'This book, the first in a series, tells the harrowing story of a young girl kidnapped by aborigines, her sufferings under cruel master, until she escapes and finds her independence by adopting a male persona and turning to a life of crime.
'It is a story of a woman's strength of character and courage in overcoming enormous difficulties in her early years and surviving in a harsh male environment.
'From harsh beginnings in the mid nineteenth century the enigmatic Elijah Henry evolves to lead a band of bushrangers who become the focus of law enforcement in the fledgling state of Queensland.
'When the doggedly determined Detective O’Reilly becomes their nemesis Elijah defiantly responds by staging the gang’s most brazen coup, risking all in the process.' (Publication summary)
Curlew Calls
Moorooka
:
Boolarong Press
,
2014
8098439
2014
single work
novel
historical fiction
'It's finally here. Part two of Curlew Enigma.
With a cache of stolen gold bars Buster McDonald sets out to build on the start he's been given by the exploits of the Elijah Henry gang.
Just as his plans seem to augur well, he's faced with the hard decision whether to intervene to prevent a massacre by the local Aboriginal tribe of an arrogant neighbour who has provoked the attack. To save the whites he could place his relationship with the tribe in jeopardy.
But no setback will daunt his quest to build an empire for his growing family as he faces drought, financial recession and violence.
Along the way he sometimes resorts to the bushranging past he's been attempting to leave behind, as he treads a fine line between respectability and notoriety.' (Publisher's summary)
