Title: Lyrebird Hill
Author: Anna Romer
Genre: Historical-Contemporary Fiction/Mystery
Publication Date: 1st September 2014
Pages: 416
Book Source: Simon
& Schuster Au & NetGalley
Synopsis: Ruby Cardel has the semblance of a
normal life – a loving boyfriend, a fulfilling career – but in one terrible
moment, her life unravels. The discovery that the death of her sister, Jamie,
was not an accident makes her question all she’s known about herself and her past.
Travelling back home to Lyrebird Hill, Ruby begins to
remember the year that has been forever blocked in her memory . . . Snatches of
her childhood with beautiful Jamie, and Ruby’s only friendship with the boy
from the next property, a troubled foster kid.
Then Ruby uncovers a cache of ancient letters from a
long-lost relative, Brenna Magavin, written from her cell in a Tasmanian
gaol where she is imprisoned for murder. As she reads, Ruby discovers that her
family line is littered with tragedy and violence.
Slowly, the gaps in Ruby’s memory come to her. And as she
pieces together the shards of truth, what she finally discovers will shock her
to the core – about what happened to Jamie that fateful day, and how she died.
A thrilling tale about family secrets and trusting
yourself...
My Thoughts:
Anna Romer earned
herself a fan with her debut Thornwood House and with
Lyrebird Hill she cements her position as a voice to be reckoned with in
Australian fiction ... an exceptionally talented writer.
I
adored every minute of Lyrebird Hill. For me Anna Romer is synonymous
with lyrical, atmospheric writing; of such haunting and addictive quality you
savour every word. Once again it's a seamless blending of contemporary and
historical narrative, Ruby 2013 and Brenna 1898 ... past and present intertwine
with dark secrets and pain.
Ruby Cardel returns
to her childhood home Lyrebird Hill to unlock memories and the mystery of her
sister's death. With the discovery of Brenna's diary and letters, Romer weaves
the mesmerising story of two women seeking truth, generations and 115 years
apart.
Lyrebird
Hill never feels like a story being told. Some of our shameful history and
treatment of aborigines made me cry with sorrow and outrage. The
Australian landscape is so lushly described, I was immersed, my senses
evoked ... eucalypts, camp fires, the scent of bush flowers, birdsong,
Brenna's connection with the land and the aboriginal people tangible.
I
rarely read books again. For its exquisite beauty Lyrebird Hill is one I will.
Connect with Anna Romer
Really looking forward to reading this (it's on next weeks list) Great review!
ReplyDeleteThanks Shelleyrae, can't wait to see what you think. Hope you love it too :)
DeleteWow! This sounds wonderful!!!!
ReplyDeleteBoth Anna's debut and this one are wonderful, definitely on my auto-buy list now :)
DeleteIt sounds like something I'd like to read
ReplyDeleteHope you get to it soon B, you're a great supporter of Aussie authors and I'm sure you'd love this one!
Deletehope you love it as much as I did Felicia, the audio of Thornwood House was terrific and Lyrebird Hill has same narrator, Eloise Oxer so it'd be a fantastic listen ... know how much you like your audio :)
ReplyDeleteThis does sound good. I do not know much about this time in history.
ReplyDeleteHope you get your hands on a copy Nise, the mystery/dual time frame combination is so brilliantly done you just fall into it. You'd love the audio!
DeleteBeautiful review - heartfelt. I must start with her first book Thornwood House - actually you have cemented my decision to read that one as my gothic novel for Book'd Out's reading challenge.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad Kathryn, can't wait to see what you think!
DeleteYour review is lovely and moving, Teddyree. Thanks for including the trailer. I'll add this book to my list.
ReplyDeleteAww thanks Beth, I hope you get to pick this one up soon, I'd love to know what you think.
DeleteWow, you have me curious with your passionate review. I love when authors fix themselves a permanent spot on my bookshelf. I will check out both books.
ReplyDeleteMe too, Anna Romer hit my auto-buy list after this gem :)
DeleteWow! This looks great (even though the book I'm reading has a long dead sister and the secrets of her death too). I'll have to give it look :)
ReplyDeleteI had not heard about this but it sounds good. Thanks for sharing your review.
ReplyDeleteI loved this book, Anna Romer has such a way with words . I even went out and bought Thornwood House for my next book to read.
ReplyDelete