This was the final instalment in a three generational saga, titled ‘Flinders Ranges Series’ by Tricia Stringer. Each of the three novels can be read as a stand-alone book, with each instalment providing it’s own storyline in relation to the time period. Some characters carry over, especially seeing as this was the final book of the trilogy; however, there is no real confusion (I had not read the preceding two books).

This book alone was a wonderful indepth look at society at the turn of the century in Australia, set against the backdrop of the rugged outback - a harsh and often cruel country, especially during times of drought. Life on the land was hard and this is a first hand account of what it might have been like to live during such a pioneering time.

Moving from the late 1800s through the turn of the century, the history teacher in me particularly enjoyed the Federation celebrations. With the focus on two main families - the Bakers and the Wiltshires - this is family drama at it’s finest: love and loss, joy and grief played out amongst these two feuding families over the years. It was I feel, a realistic portrayal of life on the land and the hardships they endured in their struggle for survival. You got a real sense of community in the outback and what life at the time may have been like.

That being said, there is quite an array of characters (given it spans over three books/generations) and each is given their voice - so you must be concentrating on the various relationships and understandings. Probably the most difficult thing I found was the time jumps - there did not appear to be ‘rhyme or reason’ to the chapter/dates provided. I found this a little disconcerting that a month, then maybe six months or longer may have passed by. I could not comprehend the significance of these dates and often large jumps in time.

Anyway, if you are looking to lose yourself back to the time of Australia becoming a nation and a genuine reflection of what life had been like, with the love and losses for those involved, then Tricia Stringers trilogy is for you.


This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release

Book blurb...
Jewel in the North: A longstanding feud of land and love, a family torn apart and a quest for the ultimate prize…

A breathtaking historical family saga of love, death and forgiveness and a quest for the Jewel in the North

1895 The Flinders Ranges are a beautiful but harsh landscape as Joseph Baker, a pastoralist in that unforgiving environment, knows all too well. For three generations his family have farmed the land, married and had children at their property at Wildu Creek, but now, struggling with hostility from the local community for his choice of wife, Joseph finds himself fighting to save not just his friends and family but his very existence.

His son William has his own battles to fight: not only the drought that takes over the land but his own despair, as he faces rejection from the woman he loves. Meanwhile, a ruthless enemy will stop at nothing to take from William what he considers to be his. Could the vicious and cunning Charles Wiltshire be his nemesis? Or does another man, in a quest for the Jewel of the North, hold the key to his destruction?

As the First World War looms on the horizon, two men struggle to survive both the elements and each other on a quest to find that they hold dear — but only one will have the courage to stand strong.

The deeply satisfying conclusion to the bestselling Flinders Ranges series.
My thoughts…
I have been looking forward to reading this third book in the series. I loved every bit of Jewel of the North, particularly Patricia Stringer’s ability to transport her readers to those early years in Australia’s history. The pictures she paints of the hardship suffered by families working their properties draws the reader in so they, too, experience the hostility of the land. She stirs every sense in her readers until there is no denying you are right there, in the Australian landscape with the characters.
Speaking of characters, there are a lot in this three-book series and all are easy to love and to hate and that means, when good things happen, or when ruthless enemies face their comeuppance, it makes for a very satisfying read.

I cannot recommend it highly enough for lovers of historical fiction.
A definite for the to TBR pile.

Joseph Baker’s wife Millie had given him three more children to add to the four with his first wife Clara and his happiness knew no bounds. Living at Wildu Creek with his father Thomas and the whole family meant the homestead was bursting at the seams. When Joseph’s eldest son William left to take over the running of Smith’s Ridge, William was proud his father had faith in his ability to manage the property.

William had had his eye on Georgina Prosser to be his wife since he was a young man. It seemed Georgina was also keen, but her father and Joseph Baker were sworn enemies. Charles Wiltshire, Henry’s son was younger than Georgina but was determined to ask her to be his wife as soon as he turned eighteen. The division between the Wiltshire family; the Prosser family and the Baker family was well known. The feud had been simmering for years…

With a harsh drought once again gripping the Flinders Ranges and surrounding countryside, the farmers were all feeling the pinch. So in turn were the business and home owners in the small town of Hawker. Henry Wiltshire and his son Charles were determined to keep attracting the elite and well to do in town to their shop; they were also determined to have nothing to do with the natives in the area. And it seemed Charles was cut from the same cloth as Henry – a cruel and vindictive man, Charles wouldn’t be thwarted in anything he’d set his mind to.

Who would be the survivors in the struggle to retain what was theirs? Would there ever be happiness for the families on the land they loved?

Jewel in the North is the third and final episode in the Flinders Ranges series by Aussie author Tricia Stringer, and it was a wonderful, indepth and breathtaking conclusion. Moving from the late 1800s through the turn of the century, Federation and beyond, this novel is filled with love, loss and grief plus it also shows what happens in a long-standing feud between several generations of families. A masterful historical fiction novel, Jewel in the North is set in the Flinders Ranges of South Australia where rains after a long drought is all that is wished for. I have no hesitation in recommending this novel highly.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital copy to read and review.

A saga that has spanned three generations as told within the three stand-alone novels contained in the Flinders Ranges series from author Tricia Stringer. Each instalment portraying a story with stand out characters. A striking backdrop of a story with vivid descriptives and detailed characters outlined within, in a time that was anything but easy. This series has been stunning reading from the first book by the author Tricia Stringer and Jewel In The North was another highlight read in an already remarkable series.
Review copy from Harlequin Australia