Darry Fraser writes enjoyable Australian historical fiction and The Forthright Woman was such a pleasure to read. I was captivated from the moment I opened the book until i turned the very last page.

What a heroine! I loved everything about this book from start to finish. I was absorbed in the story. The characters are down to earth and the mystery had me hooked.

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book for an honest review.

Another wonderful book by Darry Fraser. No-one writes heroes quite like this and Proby is another to add to the list. Marcella is constantly trying to live her life her way after the end of her loveless marriage. There is also the young couple, Fran and Joe. Their part of the story is set in 1955 and have an interesting connection to Proby and Marcella. Highly recommend!

The Forthright Woman is a brilliant blend of fiction and historical fact that had me on the edge of my seat throughout. this is a dual timeline story set partly in 1898 and partly in 1955. A murder 40 years earlier sets the scene for the meeting of recently widowed Marcella Ross and Proby Cutler, each of whom are linked to the victim, Marcella’s great uncle Luca Fillipo. Their investigtion into the mystery stirs up trouble and a series of further deaths take place. Meanwhile in 1955, Fran is drawn to the ruins of Kanyaka, a place of great significance to her grandparents, and nearly dies after being abandoned there. The tension in this story is palpable. Both threads are clearly linked but it is not until the end that we finally find out how. I’ve loved Darry Fraser’s books for some time now and I think this one is her best so far.

Set over two timelines mostly in South Australia. Two young women are determined to travel to Kanyaka Station in South Australia to find out what happened to a relative who went missing in the early gold rush days of the 1850’s.
In 1898 Marcella Ross and her brother travel to Kanyaka Station, Marcella is trying to find out what happened to her great Uncle Luca who once lived at Kanyaka Station and her brother is searching for information about property their great uncle may have owned.
In 1955 Frances McDonald is also looking for information about her family history and their connection with Kanyaka Station.
This was a mystery about family relationships, immigrant families, outback Australia and secrets.

Darry Fraser has proven once again why her Australian historical fiction writing is high on the list of must reads. The Forthright Woman is another wonderful tale to immerse yourself in with a strong female lead in male dominated colonial Australia. I love the fact that in each of her novels, Darry takes her female lead and explores with them at a time when women were on the cusp of acquiring some form of independence. Into this Darry can always be relied upon to weave an intriguing mystery with just the right amount of romance.

‘Marcella had strolled around what felt like a vast field of broken dreams. Homes were silent, and the empty rooms within were devoid of memories.’

When you pick up one of Darry’s books, you know you are in for something special. You not only get a rollicking good yarn but also some exceptional research embedded within the tale that takes it to the next level. This time Darry presents a dual timeline, set in 1898 and in 1955 in South Australia. The cast of characters are engaging with a particular nod to Mrs Costa! With great strength, courage and determination, two women embark on life changing journeys. Perhaps Darry’s greatest strength is her richly detailed settings which almost become a character in their own right. Australia’s harsh outback living is on display and life at the turn of the century could be cruel indeed - those opening chapters were brutal.

‘It was hard enough being born in this country of immigrant stock from the Continent not to mention being a lone woman and coming into hostile territory. Hostile more because she had no husband, not so much because of the weather and terrain.’

Throughout it all Darry provides the reader with a strong historical setting of the day to day living from a time long passed. Issues of female independence are once more put under the spotlight as Darry gives a little taste of what life was like for widowed women who may have wished to retain their independence. In a time when Aussie authors are making their mark in historical dramas, Darry has done a fabulous job with wonderful storytelling, putting herself right up there with the best in these Australian colonial sagas.

‘She bristled. There it was again, that universal assumption that she would just go where the men in her life took her.’

If you like to escape to a time long gone, a time when women attempted to exert some form of independence, all with a dash of mystery and romance, then this will be the book for you. Life wasn’t easy for women who were often regarded as male property and I admired the many strengths of the lead character, Marcella Ross.







This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Another compelling story about a strong woman, set in a time when women were seen but not heard.

I love the settings of Darry Fraser's tales, and how I can imagine myself alongside the characters as I read.

I was hooked by Marcella's story from the get go, and I could not wait to turn the page to see where she would take us next.

If you are a fan of strong women, of Australian historical fiction or just an all round good story, this author is for you

Incorporating two of my favourite interests, historical fiction and family history, this story had me hooked from start to finish!
Anyone with even a passing interest in researching their family history will understand the thrill of discovering new and relevant information pertaining to their search.
Then to go on an adventure, to walk in the footsteps of your ancestors, or to find an elusive grave which adds the final page to an unfinished story…is just a marvellous thrill!

South Australia In 1898

After finding a concealed piece of a letter in her deceased mother’s belongings, Marcella Ross is suddenly filled with shock and many unanswered questions.
The partially damaged text alludes to some sort of foul play with regards to the disappearance of her Uncle Luca, an Italian immigrant who went missing in the outback many years before.

Recently widowed and with no other ties, Marcella has decided to embark on a journey to see if she can uncover some truths about her missing Uncle and his business partner who both seemingly disappeared without trace around the same time.
Deep in the unforgiving landscape of the Flinders Ranges is a very large old, once thriving sheep and cattle station called Kanyaka Station, now just a crumbling testament to those earlier times.
It is there that Marcella hopes to find the answers to her questions.
Her plans are somewhat thwarted when her brother insists on travelling with her, along with his wife…Marcella suspects he has his own agenda but can’t think why, and when they run into a stranger at their destination, she becomes even more suspicious.

Fast forward to 1955

Fran and her husband Joe MacDonald take a caravan trip in the Australian outback and Fran wants to stop at a place that used to be the thriving Kanyaka Station.
Fran has heard family stories about an ancestor who went missing there and possibly met with a suspicious death.
Whilst looking around the ruins Fran becomes unsettled by imaginings and sensations.
What follows is a series of events that throws her life into a chaos and changes everything she thought she knew…could it be that history is repeating itself?

This story is such an adventure! I was thoroughly absorbed from start to finish with the convincing way things unfolded. There was so much mystery and innuendo to have the reader guessing at every turn, yet it never felt contrived.

I’ve found another favourite author!
A definite 5⭐️ read for me!


Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my electronic copy to read and review.

1898 in the outback of the Flinders Rangers in South Australia, Marcella Ross, her brother Adam and his wife Hilda were heading for Kanyaka Station, abandoned and in ruins, attempting to discover secrets of the past. Riding with them, a stranger to Marcella, Proby Cutler, who'd had contact with Adam regarding land, title deeds and ownership. Proby was from the Barossa Valley and owned a vineyard. His two sons, Sam and Max, were currently in school, always home for the holidays. When a sand storm advanced on Marcella, Adam, Hilda and Proby, and there was nowhere to shelter, the consequences were disastrous...

It was 1955, when Fran and Joe hooked up their caravan, heading to the Kanyaka ruins, as Fran was keen to find out more about her ancestors. Searching for clues, Fran wanted to walk in her relatives footsteps, to find out what happened to her Uncle Luke and his best friend many years prior. The mystery was deep - could she discover what happened back near the turn of the century?

The Forthright Woman is the latest historical novel, set in Australia, by Aussie author Darry Fraser and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters were well written, and I especially loved Mrs Costa - she was brilliant! The landscape, the harsh climate, the brutality of travel, living in poverty back in 1898, were real. Highly recommended.

With thanks to HarperCollins AU via NetGalley for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book from start to finish, the mystery, the setting and the wonderful characters, and the title is perfect once you get to meet Marcella Ross, if you love a good Australian historical mystery with a lovely romance threaded throughout, then this is one book that you should read, Marcella is someone you should meet.
In 1898 widow Marcella Ross born to Italian immigrants lives in the town of Port Pirie in South Australia she is now living with her brother Adam and his wife Hilda running the fruit and vegie store their parents opened. While going through her late mother’s things Marcella comes across a small piece of paper that starts her on a journey to find the truth about her Uncle Luca’s death. Marcella sets out with her brother and sister in law to the ruins of Kanyaka ruins near Quorn, here she meets Proby Cutler and discovers he too is looking for answers about his missing grandfather.
1955 Francesca and husband Joe decide that if they can’t have children they will travel after purchasing a caravan they start their trip but Fran is pulled to the ruins of an old property Kanyaka a place that her grandparents visited a lot and talked about the past and what happened there, this visit will change Fran’s life.
This story shows the strength and courage that two woman show when faced with what life has handed them, Marcella forced into her marriage is determined to never marry again and never to be forced to do what she is not happy with, she is a very independent woman and determined to stay that way but Proby weaves his way into her life, he is there for her when most needed. Fran too stood up and made the changes she needed to in her life as she too researched the past.
This book is so well written the characters called to me they are so easy to love and Mrs. Costa what a wonderful character you have to meet her, as well as Marcella, Proby and Fran. With such a beautiful ending there were tears from me. This is one that I highly recommend, it is an awesome story.
My thanks to the publisher for my copy to read and review

What a fabulous story.

Marcella Ross is on a mission to find out what the scrap of paper she found means. She is determined to go on her own, however her brother and his wife accompany her. This trip co es with meeting someone who she didn’t know her brother had made contact with and tragedy that makes Marcella become more determined and stronger to live the life she wants.

Along the storyline, Marcella finds out her she can trust and who she can’t, even though she she thought she could.

Marcella is portrayed as a strong, independent, determined and someone who does not need to rely on anyone but herself.

Thanks to #netgalley for the advanced reading of this book.

With every Darry Fraser book I read, I think surely it is her best yet and then she goes and writes another fantastic story and it becomes my favourite, too! I absolutely LOVED The Forthright Woman and could not put it down. In fact, I was so mesmerised by it that I totally forgot my bread baking in the oven, ignored the timers going off and as a result burnt my loaves! Was it worth it? A resounding Yes!

Nobody writes Australian historical fiction (especially covering the colonial days) like Darry Fraser. She always captures my attention and imagination from the very start. And The Forthright Woman is a superb example. It carries an intriguing plot, memorable settings and unforgettable characters (including Marcella’s lovely horse!) that reeled me in from the very first page. I just fell into that world and forgot everything around me. I needed to know what was going to happen to every one caught up in this complex family-friend feud mystery. And like all Darry’s stories, this novel got my heart pumping as I followed the characters’ movements. The action is vivid, the dialogue sublime and the descriptions exceptional. I felt I was watching a movie. You can smell the dry land, feel the burning sun, hear the shouts of drama and experience the racing pulse danger. And there’s plenty of that. The Forthright Woman would be an incredible story on the screen. One scene flows into the next without skipping a beat. This brilliant dual timeline novel of 1898 and 1955 transported me back in time and provided a wonderful reading experience.

What mystery is hidden within the pages of The Forthright Woman? I was whisked away to 1898 South Australia to meet widow Marcella Ross, an Italian immigrant, trying to uncover the truth about her uncle who disappeared. The legitimacy of friendship is explored between parties. But also, the difficulties of arranged marriages and the challenges strong independent woman faced when trying to live their lives separate from a man/husband. These issues are well fleshed out and activate our sympathies. For anyone bucking these severe restrictions, faced harsh consequences.

Marcella was one such rebel and I loved watching her develop on her journey as she became more confident, daring and pursued a life she deserved. This was assisted by the delightful older lady, Mrs Costa, who added wisdom, humour and a fresh perspective to the tale. She is always a positive encouragement to Marcella, even when it may not seem so. And Proby: who would not love that man? Kind, generous, passionate and patient. But is he as he appears? His interactions with Marcella are initially negative--mostly because of the circumstance that brings them together. But during her loss, his assistance sheds new light on their encounter. Yet even during their ‘good’ moments, we wonder: will this truce last or will they remain opponents? Or is it possible that they might become allies in the search for truth in solving a mystery that involves both of their families?

Then we meet Frances MacDonald in the 1955 timeline. ‘Coming from a long line of determined women who’d made their own way…’ She is dealing with the possibility of not being able to have children. Then her husband, Joe, buys a caravan to travel around parts of Australia. She sees it as an opportunity to re-ignite her passion for photography by recording their adventures. But she takes this thought further and writes to various newspapers and journals to see if they would be interested in her photographs and feature articles. Her husband is not so supportive of her creative plans or seeing her earn money. But she continues, and adds another layer of interest by researching her family’s history, which will give her a personal angle for her writing. She knows that her ancestors have travelled the same area where they are going, so when they land at a specific desolate ruins, she is captivated by the setting and its history. She craves to explore the connections to her family. But greater friction arises between her and her husband. Then two tragedies happen and her life takes on a completely new direction. Voices from the past come flooding into the present and Frances sets on a journey of discovery. It is at times, harrowing and heart-breaking but also exciting and healing.

I loved the entire story from start to finish and how everything came together in the Epilogue. This is a fascinating multi-generational drama of how we never really escape the past but can move forward, find fulfilment and true love, once letting going of the things that limit us. Our ancestors had it hard but they paved the way for future generations. Touching their headstones and reading their letters can give us a sense of connection that will breathe new life into our dry bones. We can take what they gave and weave our own pieces into the cloth of life and dance in a dress made by love under the sun, moon and stars. Yes, Darry’s story inspired me. I recommend it highly. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Mira (HarperCollins Au) and Netgalley for a review copy.

Another wonderful read by a great storyteller, Darry Fraser. Love Australian history and this book takes us on a dual time line mystery/adventure set across the late 1800s and the mid 1900s.
It is 1898 and Marcella is widowed from an arranged, unhappy marriage and the last thing on her mind is to get married again. She has discovered a torn piece of paper in her mothers belongings that tell of her late great Uncle Luke’s death and a connection to Ewen Wheeler. Marcella is determined to solve the mystery of her uncles death. She travels to the remains of Kanyaka Station in South Australia with her brother Adam and his wife Hilda, who she is now living with since the death of her husband. This is the last known place that Luke was seen alive.
Adam has been in contact with Proby Cutler who is a descendant of Ewen Wheeler and this is where the story really comes alive.
It is 1955 and Frances MacDonald is travelling with her husband Joe to the outback. Frances has a connection to Kanyaka Station and is determined to visit it on their travels. Joe has no interest in Frans family history and makes life difficult for her.
Two women decades apart and yet connected by history and events at Kanyaka Station.
I loved the journey I was taken on with family secrets, suspense and of course a bit of romance.
A truly engrossing read.

I love Darry Fraser and love reading her books. This is no exception as once again she has written a book that I just couldn't put down.

Darry Fraser brings these stories to life and draws you into them which I love. This being the story of the Flinders Ranges, SA, 1898 where widow Marcella Ross tries to solve the secrets of her families past. Then in 1955 Frances and Joe MacDonald decide to travel to the same place of mystery and family secrets.

I won't give away anything but I will tell you that this is a mysterious dual-timeline story, well written and believable and you feel the strength and courage of these two women. I also love the Australian aspect and being from South Australia I can picture the beauty and harshness of the places she describes so well.

This is a wonderful book, a book that will draw you in and become part of two worlds that eventually come together. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Australian, historical fiction with mystery and intrigue.

Marcella Ross is a widow, and she lives with her brother Adam Phillips and his wife Hilda in Port Pirie. Marcella finds a torn note in her deceased mother’s possessions, it’s about her great uncle Luca and his prospecting partner Ewen Wheeler who vanished forty years ago and Marcella desperately want’s to solve the mystery.

Marcella visits the place where Italian migrant Luca started his new life in Australia, Kanyaka Station near Quorn, South Australia and she hopes to find some clues and maybe his grave among the haphazard headstones! When tragedy strikes the trio, Marcella needs help and Proby Cutler comes to her rescue. The dusty man on the big horse, who told her off for wandering around the isolated Kanyaka ruins and once it was a flourishing sheep and cattle station. Marcella is a widow and her marriage was arranged, she’s tired of everyone telling her what to do and she want’s to be an independent woman.

The Forthright Woman has a dual timeline, it’s set in 1898 and in 1955 in South Australia. The story is told from the two main women’s characters points of view and they have links to each other.

Frances and Joe MacDonald are childless, Joe buys a caravan and the couple are traveling around the Australian outback. They stop at Kanyaka Station, Fran feels a connection to the old place and maybe it’s because one of her ancestors died here? Joe has no interest in Fran’s family history, he’s a selfish man and she can’t believe how he treats her when she desperately needs his assistance and support.

Ms. Fraser skilfully gains your interest with her collective cast of characters in her latest book, you’re taken on quite a journey, one full of suspense and secrets, with vivid descriptions of the South Australian landscape and towns, flies, dust and all! I love Darry Fraser writing style and the narrative grabbed my attention from the start and I didn’t want the book to end. My favourite characters were Marcella and Proby and Mrs. Costa’s antics made me laugh out loud.

I received a digital copy of The Forthright Woman from NetGalley and Harlequin Australia in exchange for an honest review. The chemistry and interaction between Marcella and Proby was absolutely sizzling, and I always enjoy reading stories about strong, brave and courageous female characters. Another superb Australian historical mystery by the accomplished and one of my favourite Aussie author's Darry Fraser, I highly recommend this book and five big stars from me.