Darry Fraser writes so often about life on the mighty rivers of Australia. "The Night on the Darling River" centres around life in 1894, primarily around the town of Echuca.
This is really Tess's story but we also follow the lives of others that grew up with her; Harry, Bram and Alby. Set against a background of shearer strikes and scab labour, tensions are high and a person's life is cheap. Riverboats are the main means of travel up and down the river networks. And as floods ravage the farmlands, landowners come to rely on each other and the old bonds forged in childhood.
But as always; there are villain's in life, who care only for themselves.
Tess is a victim of circumstance that means she married a violent man. Tess no longer knows herself, hanging onto the last shred of courage. Enough is enough and it's time to leave her lifelong home community. The physical act of making her escape could well cost her, her life. Changed forever in a physical way, but also emotionally.....squashed confidence and frayed nerves. 
Historically true events support the story of Tess's journeys up and down the river and camp life of the time. Culminating in a coming together of all parties in Echuca for what can only be described as a grand showdown....will those who deserve it get their comeuppance? Tensions are as high as the river!
"The Night on the Darling River" was truly eye-opening, gripping and emotional. Sometimes the inner thoughts of characters slowed things down a bit for my liking and I was keen to skip on the inter person dialogue and get to 'what on earth will happen next'.
Tess is a heroine who deserves a love story.
Thanks to Harlequin and NetGalley for my introduction to the magic of Darry Fraser

This book had me riveted all the way through, Darry Fraser has again taken me on a historical journey back in time to the way Australia was in the late 1800’s, Paddle Boat Steamers on the great Darling and Murray Rivers, this one starts in Echuca in 1894 where we meet Tess Hawthorn a woman on the run from her abusive husband, will she make it? Come along for the journey it is sure to keep you turning the pages.

Four young people grew up together on neighbouring farms in Echuca, Tess Hawthorn, Alby Slattery, Harry Goodwin and Bram Kempster now the years have passed and they are adults, Harry has run from town, Tess has married Alby and Bram is widowed and still reading his books, all of the farms these days are run down and in need of repair, times are tough with the shearers strike that has unionist against scabs and it is getting dangerous, but with this trouble it gives Tess the chance to run when Alby decides to take a trip he will be on the PS Rodney and Tess plans to board the PS Victor going in the opposite direction, will she get away? Things turn around quickly for Tess when she boards PS Rodney and is mistaken for a scab and now she is on the same boat as Alby heading up The Darling River.

Bram Kempster is on his way to Renmark to meet up with his uncle, trouble is brewing when he boards the PS Rodney between the unionist and the scabs and the last person he expects to run in to on board is Tess, the one person who has always held a place in his heart no matter what he has been through but he cannot let her distract him on his mission, He offers advice to her and sees her settled for the journey then takes his leave. When the unionist board the boat all hell breaks loose and Alby spots Tess what happens is terrible and no one thinks that she will live when the boat is torched.

Tess finds herself in a camp with the unionists and their woman and children here she is helped and someone from the past arrives, Harry she has not seen him for fifteen years and soon she is heading home to Echuca when she arrives badly scared to Echuca she finds it just about to flood, when the river rises she finds herself arriving at Bram’s place, Bram offers her shelter but memories from the past are rising high and with all that is happening not only the floods but the strike brings danger to them all, will Tess and Bram finally find peace, happiness and maybe love?

Huge congratulations on your 10th book MS Fraser and what an awesome story it is, you pulled this story together with fact and wonderful characters some good some bad been, I loved Tess and Bram, the setting was fabulous another one for the keeper shelf and one that I would highly recommend, make sure you clear some time to read it because you won’t want to put it down once you start.

My thanks to HQ Fiction for my copy to red and review.

Having been born in Echuca, it has always held a part of my heart, so I was so excited to read this story, right from the first chapter.

What I loved: This story is based on events that happened, and mentioned names and places I am familiar with, which I loved. It featured such a variety of characters and painted a vivid scene of what life might have been like in those times. This was a story that kept me turning the page, as I had to know what happened next.

What I didnt love: There was a bit of repetition in places, particulary in how different characters thought of each other, and that slowed down the pace for me a little.

This is the first I have read by this author, and I will be looking up their backlist.

A woman determined to get back her life from her controlling husband and she is on the right path. A entertaining book weaved with historical fact. The author knows how to tell a story.

This was my 3rd Darry Fraser book and I loved it as much as the others. I'm slowly working my way through her back catalogue of books!

I was totally immersed in this story from the start. Poor Tess, trying to flee an abusive husband, finds herself on the wrong boat, which her husband is also aboard. Her childhood friend, Bram, who was secretly in love with her, is also there and helps keep her hidden from her husband until he has to disembark at Renmark to attend to urgent business.

What happens after Bram leaves Tess is just awful, and I won't go into detail and give any spoilers. Suffice to say she meets some wonderful, caring people in Ava and Tad, as well as Bram and Merv.

Darry has created some wonderfully real characters who I came to care about deeply. The events that surround them are well researched and totally believable.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for the digital ARC. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book about the early days in Australia and about what it was like to live in Australian frontier. It was a quick enjoyable read
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review the book

She is running away from an abusive marriage, she has no family to turn to. Due to a flood she has no home. Can she escape from her situation, or will she remain?
My heart went out to this heroine. I found this book to be very good. I hope to read more from this author. I received my copy of this book via Netgalley.

Growing up in Echuca, Victoria and as children, Tess Hawthorn, Alby Slattery, Bram Kempster and Harry Goodwin were best friends, this changed and as adults the quartet will all be involved in one of the most turbulent times in Australian history.

Tess Hawthorn has had enough of her abusive husband and she decides to leave him, the riverboat Victor is departing Echuca and he’s a passenger on the Rodney and by the time he returns Tess plans on being long gone and she hasn’t told a soul. However, Tess doesn’t know the tension between unionist shearers and the non-union men they bring in to fill their place and are aptly named "scabs" is about to boil over and a fight breaks out between them and Tess finds herself on a boat going down the Darling River and in the same direction as her husband.

Have you heard of the term "riding on a sheep’s back" and the Australian economy in 1894 certainly did, when wool prices dropped, shearers pay rates were cut and rich graziers hired non-union workers and a nationwide strike took place. Other incidents occurred at the same time, the sinking of a riverboat, setting fire to a wool-shed and the flooding of the Murray-Darling river system.

I received a copy of The Night on the Darling River from NetGalley and Harlequin Australia in exchange for an honest review. The narrative focuses on the main character Tess’s plight and her trying to flee domestic violence, she’s become a shadow of her former self and feels isolated, at the time women had few rights and were classed as their husband’s property. Tess is looking for a fresh start, along her journey she comes across volatile situations and some sinister characters and others who are kind and these include Bram, Ava, Tad and Merv.

Darry Fraser has firmly cemented her place as one of Australia’s bestselling historical fiction authors and I can honestly say her 10th book is her best and based on real facts and her love and interest in the history of the Murray River, and the towns nestled on it’s banks. Five stars from me and I highly recommend The Night on the Darling River and Ms. Fraser’s previous book The Milliner of Bendigo and both are must reads for lovers of eloquently written and entertaining Australian historical adventure stories and with an emphasis on strong female characters and fighting and overcoming adversity.

First off, I love every book Darry Fraser has written. I am a HUGE fan so always eager to get my hands on a copy as I know I am in for an emotional, thrilling and eye- opening ride into the Australia’s colonial past. The covers of Darry’s books are exceptionally enticing too and represent the story that lies within so beautifully.

This novel is stunning on many levels as it captures the era so realistically and clearly. I felt transported to 1894 Victoria watching the flood waters of the Murray River rising and destroying homes and lands, experienced the shocking social unrest surrounding the shearer’s strike and gasped at the horrors of spousal abuse (graphically portrayed). It was a violent time and so this novel carries a much darker tone (than Darry’s previous) due to the nature of the subjects covered and plot.

Once I picked up The Night On The Darling River I could not stop reading! I say this truthfully, I got very little sleep as I was reading late into the night and only dozed off to awaken again every few hours with this story in my head and needed to keep picking it up to see what was going to happen next. And boy did it offer some exciting and unexpected twists! I will not give away any of the details as that would be unfair to other readers and to Darry, who has put so much effort into her novel. I can say that everything is faultlessly described to support the colourful characters, along with a riveting plot and appropriate dialogue. I could picture everything for it captured the magnitude of the little and big details and events that were happening. Plus, it was easy to visualise the various players of a dramatic cast. In fact, I say this every time, reading one of Darry’s books is like watching a movie with each scene being very visual, vivid and profound.

But I must mention Tess the heroine. A woman with the strength of many but who has been subjected to the horrors of physical and mental abuse from her volatile and violent husband (the worst villain ever!). One day she gets the courage to leave him and goes undercover to board a boat at night that will take her to freedom. But, of course, things do not go as planned and it is far from smooth sailing. She runs into some terrible strife and gets caught up in a war between union and non-union men. Her life is threatened and takes a turn she would never have anticipated. And my heart broke all over again for this woman who deserved so much better than what she got.

Another character important to the story is Bram. He ends up on the same boat (Rodney) as Tess. He is on a mission to Renmark for important business and they bump into each other. He is not sure how to help her and her behaviour toward him is less than kind. Her experiences with men have not been very positive. But he has loved her since they were young, though she never seemed interested. Their encounter will not only remind them of past regrets but also bring about some important changes. Yet not until disaster strikes on more than one occasion.

This is a moving, gut wrenching tale. The awakening of quiet love is part of this historical drama, too, but it comes during the trials that occur. Tess, learns what kind of man she really wants and has some eye-opening revelations during her traumatic adventures. There are many on-the-edge-of-your-seat moments as danger and treachery abound. The plot moves along at a rapid, yet well-paced speed. I fell under the spell of Darry’s breath-taking story-telling skill once again! The Night On The Darling River is an unforgettable and exhilarating journey. I could not take my eyes off the page for a second as there was so much happening! But it is all skilfully and powerfully delivered and crowned with a brilliant finale. This is a definite 2024 must-read for Australian historical fiction lovers! I was truly captivated, educated and amazed. I highly recommend The Night On The Darling River. 5 Exhilarating Stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to HQ Fiction and Netgalley for a review copy.

Me: Just existing in life as a romance reader and historian of Australian maritime disasters who is desperate to move to Echuca and also has a bizarre fascination with floods
Darry: Writes this
Me: SLAMMING THE REQUEST BUTTON ON NETGALLEY

Yeah needless to say this is tied for my favourite book of the year 😍

I fell in love with the story of the PS Rodney when I finally got to visit Echuca for the first time back in June. It became my hyperfixation for a little while there, so when I found out literally only a few weeks after my trip that there was to be a new historical fiction novel by one of the queens of Australian historical fiction all about it I was desperate to get my hands on it and it did not disappoint! It took me a while to get into it sadly but that isn’t a reflection on the book itself, it was me trying to drag myself out of a months long reading slump because I knew how much I would love this one.

Darry Fraser has done it again. What an amazing story. A Night on the Darling River is the story of a woman, her life prior to, but mainly after, one terrible night on the Darling River which changed her life forever. The historical research of the 1890s Shearers Strike is very interesting and woven beautifully into the novel. The lives of wives in this era was pretty harsh but there are glimpses of a better future, also based on historical research. The characters are wonderful and so well described at times I imagined I could smell them! I can happily recommend this novel. Thank you Darry Fraser.

Another amazing story of one woman's challenges, dealing with domestic violence. Also a lot of historical facts regarding the shearer's strike, and how it unfolded in Qld and Victoria. In 1891. The bravery of women in those days, and how they had to tolerate men's attitudes, towards them. Not all men treated their women badly, some come to the aide of our heroine. Another woman's conniving gets herself a husband and he is under her rule. Loved the story surrounding the mighty Murray and how she helped and hindered, early settlers. A must read

In 1894 South Australia, the ebb and flow of the mighty Murray and the Darling Rivers are the powerful pulse of this compelling novel set during a turbulent strike of the sheep shearers union, the conflict with scab labor who took their place, and the police.

Fraser's characters are salt of the earth laborers caught up in the violence and strife of going up against the rich and powerful for a better living wage; - her feisty heroine, Tess Hawthorne, faces unsurmountable obstacles as well as a powerless woman in an abusive marriage. She is the soul of the story and readers will be swept up in her struggles and rooting for her during her amazing journey.

There is a darker and more serious tone to this story then Fraser's previous novel, The Milliner of Bendigo. The conflicts and violence in The Night on the Darling River are at times difficult to be a part of, but the uplifting message of the enduring strength of the human spirit and the redeeming qualities of hope and love make this story one that you will cherish, and read again.

I highly recommend The Night on the Darling River to those who enjoy American western fiction from authors Sandra Dallas, Paulette Jiles, and Charles Portis.