Back on Track by Aussie author Tricia Stringer is the perfect book to get lost in if you are looking for escapism or if you looking for an entertaining read.

I have never travelled on the Ghan, but after reading this book it may be something to add to my list of things to do. This story flowed easily and I enjoyed getting to know the characters. I have no hesitation in recommending this to anyone who enjoys a great read.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my digital copy to read and review.

Back on Track
Tricia Stringer
Published 04 October 2023, Read 2024
4 Stars


Thank you NetGalley and Publisher Harlequin Australia, HQ & Mira for my copy of Back on Track by Tricia Stringer. I have not received any rewards or compensation for this review and therefore all views and opinions are of my own, the reviewer. I have purchased a physical copy of this book.

In summary: Ketty Clift is back with a new adventure aboard The Ghan travelling from Darwin to Adelaide.

Although this book could be considered a sequel to Tricia’s previous work called Table for Eight, Back on Track can and does stand on its own.
As a fan of Tricia’s previous works, I found Back on Track a little slow moving in the beginning. Hard to get into the story, although very excited to see Ketty Clift back. Some of the secondary characters came off as a little hard to like. I felt at times Ketty was more of a meddler in this story, having to be the saviour with all the answers to her friend’s problems. To me, this made Ketty fade into the background a little bit. Ketty would have made an interesting detective in another life.
I liked the idea of travelling on the Ghan, I thought it was a good backdrop for the story. I liked being able to visualise the train, the background characters working on the train. Finally, I liked seeing Carlos and Ketty pay off. I did enjoy the book overall.

This book follows on from Ketty has returned from cruising and is having a few issues.

This time, after insistence from Carlos, she purchases tickets for all her staff to go on the train trip of a lifetime to help them all build on their relationships.

However, many issues arrive throughout the journey and each woman must try to solve how they will work through them.

Back On Track is the eleventh stand-alone novel by award-winning, bestselling Australian author, Tricia Stringer. What would induce a small business owner to take her staff on a paid break on the famous Ghan? In the case of Ketty Clift, she has realised that “somehow in the chaos of the last few years they’d all lost their mojos” and Ketty Clift Couture was no longer the harmonious workplace it had been. Ketty hoped that relaxed contact outside of the work environment would allow her to drill down on what was ailing them.

It was her old friend, Carlos who gave her the idea: now retired after a career as a cruise ship maitre d’, his visits have been welcome, if distracting her from the business, and his travel voucher gift with a suggestion to see more of her own country sparked what Ketty hopes will be a solution. Returns to Spain due to his parents’ deaths see Carlos arriving with barely minutes to spare to join the trip, and having to share a cabin with Ketty at the last minute.

But things don’t run quite as smoothly as she would hope: Ning, her most talented seamstress vacillates about coming at all; of her other seamstresses, Tien is edgy about safety, and Birgit a little too flirty; Judith, her second-in-charge is verging on uncharacteristic rudeness; Lacey, her young reception, design and IT whiz seems to have unstated worries; and it turns out the tables won’t accommodate all six of them, thwarting her intentions to closely connect over meals.

It takes a while before Ketty learns through reluctant admissions what is bothering the members of her team: family, relationship and financial difficulties are contributing to the unrest of some; two are being bullied, one by family, another, by a staff member; some believe that at seventy-one, Ketty will soon either retire or sell the business, and worry for their employment futures; Ketty’s own withdrawal, due to an accident and visits from Carlos, have had a detrimental effect on client service and satisfaction; and Judith mistrusts the Spaniard’s intentions towards Ketty.

And, while four days and three nights of travel isn’t a lot of time, as was her habit on cruises, Ketty can’t help taking more than a passing interest in her fellow travellers, observing, interacting and trying to problem-solve when she can. Thus a cranky Dutchman mistakenly in her cabin, an older couple displaying some friction, a boozy pair of young Irishmen, and an imperious older woman commanding a younger man, all add interest to the trip.

Ageism features importantly this novel: Ketty and others of her vintage experience it in many forms, and from diverse quarters: friends and neighbours, health professionals, casual acquaintances and even her own staff, are guilty of ageist remarks, often unconscious or unintentional. And it seems that older people are often their own worst enemies in that regard. Stringer does give one of her characters a brilliant comeback when she’s referred to as a granny: “I’m curious, Rory. Is it your notion that you’re going to be young all your life? You could be wrong about that, you know… Or you could just be unfortunate and die young.”

Stringer easily evokes her setting, and her characters, their attitudes and dialogue are all entirely credible. She also deftly illustrates the challenge some face in retirement, and the current accommodation crisis. And she manages to incorporate a bit of intrigue, littering her tale with red herrings and diversions to keep the reader guessing and the pages turning. Heart-warming, topical and thought-provoking.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and HQ Fiction.

Tricia Stringer’s books always carry a message, Back on Track combines family and friendships on a train journey.
The characters are all hiding differing personal stories from their workmates. When The Ghan arrives in Adelaide, Ketty feels a better connection with her employees, their combined love of fashion and design has a new direction.
The storyline combines different age groups, financial situations, perceptions and a genuine love of creating clothing.
There’s extra characters who join the group along the way, I loved the discussions as everyone worked together to solve real life challenges.
A well written and researched story, the iconic towns, tourist destinations and the historic train journey itself is a fascinating story.
A heartwarming read with relatable characters who treat each other compassionately and with respect, improving fragile connections to grow as a group.

Thanks so much to Harlequin Australia HQ, NetGalley and the fabulous Tricia Stringer for the opportunity to read this wonderful book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A great premises for a story as everyone has read books about friends /family on a cruise but I have never read one about a train journey holiday and even more unique is the work colleagues rather than friends /family. I enjoyed traveling on the train and with all the sights to see and the dramas that unfold it's a lovely book to read with a cup of tea.

Great to revisit Ketty from Table For Eight, this time travelling on the Ghan with members of her Couture Team and her good friend Carlos. Ketty is hoping for quality time together to rebuild work relationships but every member of her staff seems to have issues that are distracting them. Will Ketty get to enjoy the train journey as much as she loved cruising? This was a great read.

I first met the MC, Ketty Clift and her friend Carlos on an ocean cruise in “Table for Eight” a few years back, another 5 star read. I was delighted to see her back front and centre with a now retired Carlos visiting her from Spain. Carlos wants to travel on the iconic Ghan train that runs between Darwin and Adelaide. Ketty decides to travel with him and decides to close her couture dressmaking business in Sydney for a week and reward her six hardworking staff members with a surprise holiday on the iconic Ghan train. Ketty has noticed that there is some friction between different members of her team and hopes the time away will make everyone feel more connected and in sync with each other.

Carlos and Ketty are planning to stay on in Adelaide to attend the wedding of one of their fellow cruise characters from “Table for eight”. So, along with Ketty, boarding the train in Darwin are Judith, Ketty’s second in command and a pattern designer, Birgit and Tien who are dressmakers, Lacey their technology guru and Ning who does the most exquisite embroidery.

As the trip progresses Ketty realises that maybe she doesn’t know her workers as well as she thought she did. Judith seems angry with Ketty’s friendship with Carlos and has issues with Lacey. Lacey is struggling financially but doesn’t want her workmates to know. Tien has turned into a germaphobe and has issues with everything creepy. Birgit has just broken up with her boyfriend and thinks she has found a replacement. And Ning? Well her son thinks she should retire and stay home and look after his children. He is constantly on the phone harassing her.

Adding to all this drama, Carlos doesn’t seem his usual self, there is a secretive man skulking around, a married couple who don’t seem as happy as each of them think, and a mature lady who Ketty is sure she knows from somewhere. While the train makes it’s way through the Australian outback the reader is transported to some amazing parts of the country. Mining and as living underground in the middle of nowhere, ancient aboriginal sacred sites and crocodile ridden rivers. Important issues threaded through the plots include workplace stress, homelessness, ageism and family expectations.

I have never travelled on the Ghan, although it is on the wish list. However, I did live in Darwin for many years - and travelled by road along the route the train takes many, many times; the most recent a few months ago. The background setting for the story was the train, but the outings at Katherine, Alice Springs and Cooper Pedy all added depth and drama. All the places the characters visited off train I have been too - so was a wonderful trip down memory lane.

This is armchair travel at its best, and a wonderful insight into human interactions. Was a real page turner.

I enjoyed this novel by Tricia Stringer. Stringer’s novels are always very detailed and it is easy to get an overview of the characters. They always have many layers and are usually very relatable. This novel reintroduces Ketty Clift. She takes her staff from her dressmaking business on a grand holiday on The Ghan, along with her long time friend Carlos. The novel is very interesting, with plot lines for many characters. Recommended. Thanks to Harlequin Australia and Netgalley for an ARC of this novel.

Ketty Clift from 'Table for Eight' is back. This story takes place a few years later and Ketty has surprised the staff of her clothing store with a trip on the Ghan. Ketty is hoping that the trip will help solve the tension between her team members and also give her an opportunity to reconnect with them.
Each of the staff seems to have an additional set of baggage they are bringing with them. Then Carlos, her friend from the cruises who is supposed to be joining her too, has his cabin double booked and things take a turn.
In the close confines of a train, Ketty begins to think the whole trip was a big mistake and the tension seems to be getting worse.
Again Tricia Stringer has crafted a contemporary tale which addresses issues we can all relate to, including ageism, stress and family expectations.
Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Australia for the opportunity to read this digital ARC.

Back on Track is the latest offering from Aussie favourite Tricia Stringer. Tricia's talent extends across a range of genres from rural fiction through to contemporary and her readers are always guaranteed some wonderful escapism. On this occasion Tricia gives us another multi generational drama and all set on the iconic train, ‘The Ghan’ a trip from Darwin at the top of Australia to Adelaide in the south of Australia.

‘And just as on a cruise ship, every surface gleamed. She closed her eyes, inhaled the lingering trace of eucalyptus scent and anticipated the trip ahead. Her spirits lifted.’

As usual Tricia includes a strong cast of characters that cover all ages - from Ketty in her 70s, Judith in her 50s through to Lacey in her 20s and many others. So, already you can see, there is sure to be something for everybody to relate to. Also, who could surpass Tricia’s wonderful descriptions of outback Australia with stop offs at Katherine, Alice Springs and Coober Pedy. I also appreciated the descriptions of The Ghan itself from the cabins to the dining experience.There are some topical issues in this book - ageism is at the top but Tricia also touches on retirement, work place tensions, discrimination, working visas, disabilities, family breakdowns - dealing with them in her usual sensitive way.

“I think sometimes we’re our own worst enemies when it comes to ageism. People make jokes about it and we go along with them.”

This is an easy read with engaging characters, encompassing problems and solutions common in today’s society. Yet, delve a little deeper - this is a story about how we treat those over the age of 50/60 in our society and even the way we talk to ourselves into fitting into a stereotype. This is a story of understanding and compassion, growth and development. As the title so aptly indicates, when the wheels come off (pardon the pun) how do we go about getting ourselves and those around us, ‘back on track’?

‘The timeline was short, only three nights, and Ketty needed all the help she could to make sure she got her staff back on track.’

This is another great story of family and friends with Tricia, a master at producing authentic, real people and places that take you right to the centre of the community. Not only a story that takes you to some iconic destinations in Australia but also the importance of communication and maintaining positive relationships.

“Who wrote the rule there’s a cut-off age for enjoying life? You’re never too old for friendship, companionship, even love.”









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.

Tricia Stringer is so talented in the way she creates her characters and that has certainly been the case with Ketty Clift and her team. Back On Track sees the six women setting off for an iconic train journey on the Ghan. The various stops along the route from Darwin to Adelaide provided a colourful background to the story, but really it was Ketty and her crew who kept me turning the pages. I loved the way she deftly discovered what was bothering each of them at the start of their holiday and then went about setting things to rights. The presence of Ketty’s longstanding friend Carlos provided added interest and the supporting cast of characters aboard the train were also fascinating. I loved the way the topic of ageism ws woven into this story. As a person who is happily past the first bloom of youth, I appreciated the way ageist remarks and behaviour were firmly put in their place. As always with a Tricia Stringer book, I’ve been captivated from the first page to the last. This one is definitely going on my keeper shelf.

Back on Track is very much a story about working out relationships which is the seed that inspired Ketty, a caring owner of a successful couture dressmaking business, to take her team on the famous Ghan. She has weathered the pandemic fairly well but there are rumblings among her staff members and it appears they are at odds with each other. She sees the surprise trip as an opportunity to thank them for their help and to spend quality time with each one. And to try and smooth out the wrinkles or sew up the tears that have risen. The old saying ‘Familiarity breeds contempt’ has become a reality as negative thoughts have somehow infiltrated the once harmonious group. Her solution: they all need a good break.

But there’s more to the story and plenty of conflicts to overcome and issues to sort through. Her team initially worry that she is retiring or selling her business and there’s negative talk that she may have lost her touch when she loses a couple customers. But she reassures them she is not leaving or selling out. When her dear friend Carlos, a Spaniard visiting Australia for a year, voices his desire to take a special train trip, she sees it as a great opportunity. Not only for him and herself but also for her staff. Can she experience refreshment and help her troubled team? Maybe they can all gain a new perspective on their lives in different settings? And what better way to do it than to travel aboard the iconic Ghan! But, of course, as well-meaning as her intentions are, things do not go as planned.

There’s a wonderful flow to this story and I understand many characters are from her Table of Eight novel (which I have not read). Regardless, I enjoyed the story and various personalities. Plus, the effectiveness of the descriptions allowed me to be transported to these inspiring locations. I have never been on the Ghan but now have a taste of what it must be like!

Learning about each of the characters and their issues was interesting. Suspicious Judy, fearful Tien, relationship-troubled Birgit, uptight Lacey and family pressured Ning make quite a troubled work group. Their conversations and battles are enlightening. And I loved Ketty’s clever comparison of her employees’ personalities to the drinks they enjoyed.

I found the interaction between Ketty and Carlos lovely (and the ending was brilliant). Even though Judy is overprotective of her boss and plants suspicions in her mind about Carlos, it was nice to see how Ketty decides for herself about him in the end. And the surprise she offers him to help with his visa problem, sets his plans a little off balance for a while. Eventually though, everything stabilises. Cryptic comments, yes, but I don’t want to give anything away!

This novel covers financial woes, relationship problems, family pressures, forced retirement, fear of the unknown—just to name a few things. But what it also offers are solutions, healing and happiness. It is an intriguing cast and a fascinating journey. I look forward to reading more of Tricia’s books! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to HQ and Netgalley for my review copy.

We catch up with Ketty, owner of a boutique dressmaking business in Sydney known as Ketty Clift Couture. We first met Ketty in Tricia Stringers previous novel Table for Eight, along with her friend Carlos, the Spaniard who is staying in Australia as her houseguest. It is Carlos who suggests they take a trip on the iconic Ghan.

Ketty has been struggling of late, she recognises she is not getting any younger, and whilst her business took off during covid and post covid, she feels at odds because her staff are not connecting as they should be. This idea of a nice relaxing trip on the Ghan, shouting her whole staff to an all expenses paid trip seems like the perfect solution to help address staff problems or does it? What results along the way is a seemingly disastrous trip that is not going to plan, with her staff members at odds with her and each other and their personal lives they have left behind on this great rail journey. As the trip progresses, after some much needed DM’s, and with Ketty’s help, her staff are able to begin resolving their issues and start to enjoy their trip.

What resonates for me in this book is the characters. Tricia is so good at writing complex, well developed, interesting and believable characters who are very relatable. I also loved the sense of place you feel along the characters journey, and descriptions whilst travelling through such places as Darwin, Katherine, Alice Springs, Coober Pedy and Adelaide. You get such a sense of the landscape, that you are ready to pack your bags and book the next ticket on the Ghan. Also notable was the writers ability to tackle personal relationships with ourselves and others particularly in regards to themes of ageing and ageism that exists, with a few characters going through the ‘what is next’ stage of their life when faced with retirement.

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Australia for providing me with an early digital copy to review.

I do enjoy a good story and Tricia Stringer writes them so well, I first met Ketty in her book Table of Eight on a cruise, Ketty is a loving caring character who loves helping people and playing matchmaker, she runs Ketty Clift’s Couture and cares very much about her staff, when Ketty feels the moral falling she books them all on a train trip on the Ghan, her longtime friend Carlos will be joining them and Ketty hopes to get everyone back on track to their happy place.

The trip starts with mix-ups with cabins and staff not sure it is the best thing for them, they all have problems that Ketty is just finding out about, can she make this work for them all? Judith, Ning, Tien, Birgit, Lacey and finally Carlos arrive and the journey starts.

They all have tours to choose first off then lunch in the dining room Ketty is very impressed with the settings and is looking forward to meeting peoples and talking to her staff and bringing back that closeness that is missing, but there seems to be problems between Judith and Lacey and then Ning’s phone when they have reception is continually pinging with messages from her family, Tien is nervous about a lot of things and Birgit is the life of the party and meeting guys already and of course Carlos who seems to worrying about something, Ketty is more determined than ever to make things right.

This is a lovely story that takes in a lot of issues that happen all the time ageism being one of them, relationships, the train trip was awesome so well described I thought I was on the train with them all, but will Ketty turn everything around and get the people who mean so much to her back on track?

I do highly recommend this one, fabulous characters, a wonderful trip and an uplifting and heartwarming story, filled with so many emotions.

My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.

Ketty Clift's Couture business in Paddington, Sydney, had been Ketty's pride and joy for a long time. Run by staff who were her family now, she came to realise harmony within her girls was not running as smoothly as it had. When Carlos, her long time friend from her cruising days - prior to the pandemic - arrived in Sydney from Spain to see Ketty, and gave her a voucher for a trip on the Ghan, from Darwin to Adelaide, Ketty came up with a plan. Her invitation to all her girls for a holiday, travelling on the Ghan, was a surprise to them all, and Ketty hoped it would smooth the cracks that were appearing.

After a debacle with the cabins, they were soon on their way, heading south, eventual destination Adelaide, and Ketty, along with Judith, Lacey, Birgit, Ning and Tien found themselves choosing which tours to participate in, relaxing in the lounge car, gazing at the scenic outback as it flowed by the train, and enjoying the beautiful meals that were supplied. But the tension between some of them - Lacey and Judith mostly - saw Ketty determined to approach each person, to find out what was wrong. Could she do it? Or was she losing her touch?

Back on Track by Aussie author Tricia Stringer is an outstanding read, and although I haven't been on the Ghan, I have been on the Indian Pacific, so everything on the train was familiar. I thoroughly enjoyed Ketty's character; a strong, independent woman, with a lot of empathy to those less fortunate. And out of the other women, Lacey was my most liked. Ms Stringer is a favourite author, and I've been entertained by each and every one of her books. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

Ketty Clift, owner of a very successful dressmaking business in Sydney, takes her team on a trip on the famous train called the Ghan. I am not sure her idea of taking her male friend Carlos on the same trip was a good one but at least it set the cat among the pigeons and made everyone rethink their positions.

There followed a lot of secrecy and tension and it soon became clear the team was not a team at all. It was interesting to see how Ketty sorted it all out to everyone's satisfaction. This was an interesting read with a fair amount of drama. I loved the ultimate conclusion.

I have been on the Ghan myself and noticed that the author did take some liberties with it, but she does confirm this at the end of the book. It is every bit as great a trip as the ladies found it to be and I can recommend the real train ride as well as the one in the book. Four stars from me.

I am a big fan of Tricia Stringer's work, and Back on Track was one I was eagerly awaiting.

In her latest offering we meet the characters from one of Tricia's back catalogue, Table for Eight. which was a lovely surprise. Ketty decides to take her employees on an exciting holiday on the Ghan after recent drama in the business. It was a perfect setting for a great book and with Tricia's storytelling skills it came to life in front of my eyes with every turn of the page.
There is drama as would be expected which leads to all sorts of twists and turns, just enough to keep you engaged and turning the pages. A delightful read to lose yourself in while enjoying one of Australia's finest writers taking you on a journey of a lifetime.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for this early ready copy, all the stars from me!!

Set in the present time in the Northern Territory and South Australia on the Ghan. Ketty Clift owner of a small clothing design business decides to take her five employees on a train trip on the Ghan from Darwin to Adelaide as a thank you gift to her staff and also to try and sort out some issues she has noticed between some of her staff.
Ketty likes to help people sort out their problems and she soon finds that all her staff have problems that need to be sorted and also a few other people she meets on the train.
Ketty and her staff spend three nights on board the Ghan, where they share small cabins and socialise in the lounge car and dinning car with other passengers.
I loved the descriptions of their trip and excursions where they were able to experience some outback tourist attractions.
This was about train travel, work place relationships and secrets.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for a chance to read this book.

Back On Track by Tricia Stringer was an absolutely wonderful and enjoyable read. I’ve done the Ghan trip from Darwin and Adelaide and it was great to revisit the journey and the pleasure of being on the inspiring excursion down through the centre of Australia. The descriptions of all locations brought it back for me and for that I thank Tricia Stringer for her superb writing!

The publisher’s blurb is an excellent introduction:

Ketty Clift's couture dressmaking business is thriving but the same can't be said for her staff. Lately, cracks have appeared in the team's harmony, testing relationships and causing issues with customers. Worse, the rumour that Ketty has lost her touch is circulating. So when Ketty's old friend Carlos suggests a holiday by train - on the iconic Ghan, no less - Ketty decides to take her surprised staff with her in the hope of fixing what ails them.
But it's not turning out to be the cure-all Ketty had hoped for. Her protective second-in-command, Judith, doubts Carlos's intentions and sows suspicion in Ketty's mind. Her younger staff members, Birgit and Lacey, are beset by relationship disasters and financial worries, whereas invaluable employee Ning is under pressure from her family to retire, and seamstress Tien is terrified of everything outside her comfort zone - especially the outback.
Each new stop on the way, and the surprising behaviour of some of the other passengers, affects the group and reveals something more about each of them. As the train pulls deeper into the mesmerising outback, matters seem set to come to a disturbing crescendo.
Ketty must sidestep the drama, reunite her troubled workers and save her business and relationships. But will her transformative magic work to bring them all back on track?
Tricia Stringer’s writing style and captivating with the story flowing smoothly and the tensions and conflicts between characters is interestingly woven into the fabric of the story.

Highly recommended read that was easy going but still full of intrigue and wonderful characters.


This review is based on a complimentary copy from Harlequin Australia via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#BackOnTrack #NetGalley.