Tuesday, September 09, 2014

Review: Lyrebird Hill by Anna Romer

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.







Lyrebird Hill


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18 comments:

  1. Really looking forward to reading this (it's on next weeks list) Great review!

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    1. Thanks Shelleyrae, can't wait to see what you think. Hope you love it too :)

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    1. Both Anna's debut and this one are wonderful, definitely on my auto-buy list now :)

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  3. It sounds like something I'd like to read

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    1. Hope you get to it soon B, you're a great supporter of Aussie authors and I'm sure you'd love this one!

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  4. hope 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 :)

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  5. This does sound good. I do not know much about this time in history.

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    1. Hope 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!

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  6. Beautiful 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.

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    1. I'm so glad Kathryn, can't wait to see what you think!

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  7. Your review is lovely and moving, Teddyree. Thanks for including the trailer. I'll add this book to my list.

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    1. Aww thanks Beth, I hope you get to pick this one up soon, I'd love to know what you think.

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  8. Wow, 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.

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    1. Me too, Anna Romer hit my auto-buy list after this gem :)

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  9. Wow! 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 :)

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  10. I had not heard about this but it sounds good. Thanks for sharing your review.

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  11. I 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.

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