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Currawong Manor

Josephine Pennicott (Goodreads Author)

3.63 · Rating details · 153 ratings · 38 reviews

Currawongs appearing at the Manor in vast numbers had come to portend one thing...

Death was on its way.

When photographer Elizabeth Thorrington is invited to document the history of Currawong Manor for a book, she is keen to investigate a mystery from years before: the disappearance of her grandfather, the notorious artist Rupert Partridge, and the deaths of his wife, Doris ...more

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Paperback, 400 pages

Published June 1st 2014 by Macmillan Australia

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· 153 ratings · 38 reviews

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Feb 08, 2017 Dale Harcombe rated it it was ok

This is a brooding atmospheric book. Rather gothic in tone. I was looking forward to reading it. I liked the way the setting in the Blue Mountains of Australia was portrayed and other descriptions. For a while that got me in, along with wanting to know what had really happened with the deaths of the artist Rupert’s wife and daughter and his own disappearance. But in the end it wasn’t enough to keep me interested. I felt detached from all that was going on. Instead of being eager to pick up the b ...more

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May 08, 2014 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out rated it really liked it

Shelves: provided-by-publisher, arc-are, aussie-author

An atmospheric novel of mystery, drama and tragedy, Currawong Manor has a similar tone and premise to author Josephine Pennicott's previous novel, Poet's Cottage.

Photographer Elizabeth Thorrington has always been eager to learn more about her grandfather, Rupert Partridge, a well known, controversial artist who mysteriously vanished in 1945 on the same day his beloved daughter, Shalimar, and wife Doris, met their tragic deaths. Invited by the current owners of Currawong Manor, the Partridge's f ...more

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Jul 03, 2014 Cat rated it it was amazing

I just loved this book so much!
You know those books you read that you just keep grabbing and reading whenever you get a moment because you love it just so much? this is one of those books; you become immersed in the story and the characters become almost a real part of your life.
Josephine Pennicott loves words and they love her. A beautifully written book by an author who just keeps getting better and better. I cannot wait until her next tale.

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Jun 05, 2014 Karen Brooks rated it really liked it

In this atmospheric and historically detailed tale set in the Blue Mountains, Josephine Pennicott tells the story of Elizabeth Thorrington, a renown photographer, who’s invited to the home her famous grandfather, the artist, Rupert Partridge, Currawong Manor, in order to photograph the house and some of the people that used to live there for a new book that’s been commissioned. This book is set to celebrate the life and talents of Rupert. But Currawong Manor is a place of secrets and regrets, of In this atmospheric and historically detailed tale set in the Blue Mountains, Josephine Pennicott tells the story of Elizabeth Thorrington, a renown photographer, who’s invited to the home her famous grandfather, the artist, Rupert Partridge, Currawong Manor, in order to photograph the house and some of the people that used to live there for a new book that’s been commissioned. This book is set to celebrate the life and talents of Rupert. But Currawong Manor is a place of secrets and regrets, of lies and deceptions, of long-held suspicions and is the place where a great tragedy happened many years earlier. A tragedy for which no satisfactory explanation has ever been provided… until perhaps now…
Knowing her family’s tortured history, Elizabeth is a rather sad and quite prickly young woman, who has her own skeletons in the closet. Introduced to the current residents as well as one of her grandfather’s muses, the still vibrant and sassy Ginger, Elizabeth is keen to commence the project for which she’s been commissioned and delighted to be working with one of her grandfather’s “Flowers” as the young women were known back then.
Back in the 1940s, Ginger was one of three young women who lived with her grandfather, his wife, Doris and their lovely young daughter Shalimar, and posed for his many paintings. Whispered about, the source of much gossip and speculation as well as desire, regarded as a “fallen woman”, Ginger has risen above her origins as a “Surrey Hill rat” to become celebrated in her own right. Aware of the debt she owes Rupert and his legacy, grateful for the chance he once gave her, Ginger has agreed to be interviewed and photographed, but that doesn’t mean she has to like it.
Elizabeth also meets the former musician and journalist, Nick, who has made a living writing “true crime” stories and who has been hired to write the prose that will accompany Elizabeth’s photographs for the new book.
Curious about what happened back in the 1940s when so many lives were cruelly cut short, and determined to uncover the truth, Elizabeth quickly realises that Ginger and another resident at the Manor, Dolly, know more than they are prepared to tell.
Determined to get the heart of the matter, to clear her grandfather’s reputation and find out what really happened all those years ago, Elizabeth not only has to confront her family’s past, but the toll that years of secrets and dissembling has taken upon her and those she loves most.
Dark, the story unfolds languidly, moving the reader backwards in time before returning to the present, weaving a tapestry of mood and affect. Different points of view dominate, but mainly Elizabeth and Ginger’s and it’s through these two women that the reader, like those who study the challenging works of art and photographs that pepper the narrative, telling their own story, comes to understand the truth. We have to look closely, delve deeper, read the imagery and the meanings that accrue around people, their actions and the objects they hold dear in order to uncover the secrets. Just as Rupert used symbols to expose the brutality and callousness of war and the human wreckage it leaves behind, so too, Pennicott uses the architecture of the house and the magnificent grounds with its abundant flora as well as the haunting and dangerous Owlbone Woods (which is a character in itself), to hint at what’s to come, at what lies below the surface.
The settings are richly and beautifully drawn. You can smell the flowers, feel the cold press of the snow or the dewy warmth of a humid summer. Likewise, as the mystery unravels, you can feel the whispers of the past and the weight of guilt that hangs upon those who carry their secrets, determined to protect themselves and others. Like the birds that occasionally darken the eaves of the house, doom walks through the pages and reading Currawong Manor becomes a visceral experience – at once exciting and dramatic.
A Gothic treat for lovers of mystery, family dramas, history and suspense.
...more

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Jul 23, 2014 Jennifer (JC-S) rated it it was ok

Shelves: librarybooks, australian-womens-writers-challenge

‘Fate can be a dangerous mistress.’

A book has been commissioned about Currawong Manor, once the home of Rupert Partridge, a famous artist. Elizabeth Thorrington, a renowned photographer, and Rupert’s granddaughter, has been invited to the house to take photographs of it and of some of the people that used to live there. The book, to be written by true crime writer and former musician Nick Cash, is intended to celebrate Rupert Partridge’s life, and to showcase his talents.

‘But there’s still time ‘Fate can be a dangerous mistress.’

A book has been commissioned about Currawong Manor, once the home of Rupert Partridge, a famous artist. Elizabeth Thorrington, a renowned photographer, and Rupert’s granddaughter, has been invited to the house to take photographs of it and of some of the people that used to live there. The book, to be written by true crime writer and former musician Nick Cash, is intended to celebrate Rupert Partridge’s life, and to showcase his talents.

‘But there’s still time to leave, my girl. There’s always a choice of path – and sometimes it’s wise to take the less exciting one.’

But Currawong Manor, in the picturesque (Australian) Blue Mountains, with its own history and secrets, was the place where a great tragedy occurred in the 1940s. In the space of a single day, Rupert‘s wife Doris and their daughter Shalimar died separate tragic deaths. The only member of the family who survived was Elizabeth’s mother. Rupert himself disappeared. Elizabeth meets Dolly Sharp, who was a child living at Currawong Manor in the 1940s, and Ginger, one of her grandfather’s ‘Flowers’ as the three young women who lived with the Partridge family and posed for Rupert’s paintings were known.

Ginger has agreed to be interviewed and photographed, but she does not seem particularly enthusiastic. Elizabeth realises that both Ginger and Dolly know more about the mysteries of Currawong Manor than they seem prepared to share. Elizabeth is keen to find out more about her family’s past and to uncover the truth (or truths) behind the tragedy. Her own mother wants nothing to do with Currawong Manor, and warned Elizabeth against going there. So, what is the truth behind the tragedy? And will Ginger and Dolly tell Elizabeth what they know?

What is the truth of Owlbone Woods, and does a gathering of currawongs signal impending death?

‘Are you up for an adventure?’
The story of Currawong Manor and its previous inhabitants unfolds as we move between Elizabeth’s present and Ginger’s past. If you like dark, brooding, atmospheric novels, this is one to savour. Secrets abound, and while some may appear obvious to the reader, others take time to be revealed.

‘Revenge is a lit match in a summer bush- you destroy everything around you as well as yourself.’

I confess that I did not like this novel as much its predecessor, ‘Poet’s Cottage’. The story is well written, the setting well described but at times it was a little too dramatic for me. Perhaps I prefer not to have the loose ends tied up quite so completely.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith
...more

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Jul 30, 2014 Corey rated it really liked it

I was really looking forward to this book after reading and enjoying another of Josephine Pennicott's books, Poet's Cottage.

Her latest, Currawong Manor takes place in the Blue Mountains in NSW, a place I have spent quite a bit of time in, which really added to my enjoyment of this story.

The main character, Elizabeth, is a photographer who is hired to take photos at her grandfather's house, where the whole family died or mysteriously disappeared one night decades ago. Her grandfather was a famous ...more

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May 09, 2014 Tamara rated it liked it

Shelves: australian-authors, on-the-bookshelf

★Currawong Manor ★ Josephine Pennicott ★ 3.5 stars★

This is the second novel I've read by Australian author, Josephine Pennicott, the previous being, Poet's Cottage. Like it's predecessor, Currawong Manor takes us on a journey of discovery of long held family secrets and tragedies.

Elizabeth Thorrington a young photographer has been invited to document the history of Currawong Manor, the family home of her grandfather, Rubert Partridge, who mysteriously dissappeared shortly after the tragic death ...more

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Aug 03, 2014 Rachael McDiarmid rated it really liked it

Thoroughly enjoyed this. I think Josephine is a fine writer and she continues to shine. Similar style to Poet's Cottage but this time the setting is the Blue Mountains and the story of an artist, his family and his muses. The history of the period (1940s) is well captured and I was intrigued by the current day events - yes I love having two periods captured in a story. Gives me my historical fiction fix that's for sure! I thought her characters were well written and her story was mystical and ca ...more

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Apr 11, 2015 Pip rated it did not like it

Shelves: mystery, australian, gothic

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jun 28, 2017 Amber Hassen rated it liked it

The book is set in the beautiful Blue Mountains in NSW. The story takes place in a town called Mount Bellwood. Not sure where this is however the author uses town names such as Katoomba, Leura, Lithgow to give you an understanding of the general location.

The story is based around the main character, photographer Elizabeth Thorrington, who is invited to Currawong Manor (unaffectionatly labled "The Ruins") to document the history of the property. The manor had once belonged to her family and is s ...more

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Sep 09, 2019 Jyv rated it it was ok

Shelves: fiction, mystery, australia, australian-author

I tossed up between giving this a 1 or a 2. In the end I settled for a 2 as I actually finished it. I didn't really take to it and it only annoyed me more and more as it continued (and it wouldn't stop, continuing way past when it should have finished - it became more a biography of Ginger than the solving of a mystery).
For a start why would anyone invite an author and photographer to a house in the middle of winter? Presumably just to make it more "gothic" and forboding, but totally illogical. ...more

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Mar 26, 2018 Robyn Gibson rated it it was amazing

Elizabeth is excited to return to her grandparents' estate in the Blue Mountains. Her grandfather Rupert was an artist who had three models living on the estate. In his studio he would create what sounded like really weird art with the models, whom he called 'Flowers'. This seems closely related to Norman Lindsey who also lived at Springwood in the Blue Mountains. Elizabeth is about to create a coffee table book with her beautiful photography and while she is there, hopes to learn more about her ...more

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Jul 08, 2020 Diane rated it it was amazing

Shelves: pennicott-josephine

I love this book. And I really love a book that features a house, or in this case, a Manor as a character in the story. This Manor is set in the beautiful Blue Mountains and is an atmospheric, mesmerising mystery about art, truth, death and deception. Compelling and hypnotic, I found it very difficult to put down. Now I look forward to reading Poet's Cottage...I have had both these books for a number of years...now is the time to read both. If you love an atmospheric mystery, you will love Curra ...more

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Apr 30, 2018 Elli rated it did not like it

So many times I wanted to stop reading but when I start a book, it’s a rule I have to finish it. Unfortunately, it didn’t get any better. And it wouldn’t end!!!!

The most irritating thing was the fact that the author would describe something by citing someone else’s idea. Like, “Rupert was like Sidney Nolan”. Or the Flowers were comparable to The Sirens, like the Elle McPherson movie....she actually says that!!!

Big no from me and I won’t be reading anymore of ms Pennicott ‘s novels.

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Feb 23, 2018 Berny Carroll rated it it was ok

I really disliked the main character, Elizabeth in this novel. I found her to be childish, boring and annoying. I felt like this book could have had much more potential if it had been written better.

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Dec 27, 2018 Polly rated it did not like it

Wow. Don't read if you don't like Main characters who are okay with child porn... I am so disgusted by the last five chapters. Gross. ...more

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May 17, 2015 Amanda - Mrs B's Book Reviews rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2015-books

*4.5 stars

Josephine Pennicott, author of Currawong Manor, was inspired to write her latest novel based on her time as an art student in the Blue Mountains region of NSW. Art is a central theme in Currawong Manor, as the story focuses on unravelling the mystery surrounding a family tragedy involving decorated artist Rupert Partridge, his wife and their young daughter. Rupert’s granddaughter in the present day, Elizabeth Thorrington is a successful photographer and finds herself drawn into her fam *4.5 stars

Josephine Pennicott, author of Currawong Manor, was inspired to write her latest novel based on her time as an art student in the Blue Mountains region of NSW. Art is a central theme in Currawong Manor, as the story focuses on unravelling the mystery surrounding a family tragedy involving decorated artist Rupert Partridge, his wife and their young daughter. Rupert’s granddaughter in the present day, Elizabeth Thorrington is a successful photographer and finds herself drawn into her family’s tragic past. The new owners of Currawong Manor invite her to take photographs for a book that is to be released about her Grandfather’s life. Elizabeth finds herself immediately drawn into the secrets of Currawong Manor, while collaborating on her work for the book with writer Nick Cash and a former life model of her Grandfather’s Ginger. Ginger is the only surviving model of Rupert Partridge’s renowned “Flowers” a name coined for the muses who inspired Partridge’s paintings. Currawong Manor shifts effortlessly between the past and the present. Ginger’s flashbacks about her time at Currawong Manor as a life model with the Partridge family provide a link to the past. While in the present, Elizabeth’s determination to finally get answers to a deep seated family mystery drives the present day storyline to a dramatic collision with the past.
I have previously read and absolutely loved Josephine Pennicott’s last book the Poet’s Cottage. It is still on my list of my top ten best reads. It was with some trepidation that I set out to read Currawong Manor, in fact I must confess I have had this book on my shelf to read for some time. Despite savouring this book to read, I was impressed, I did love it but it did not quite reach the mark that the Poet’s Cottage did. It is a remarkable book, very gothic with a strong sense of atmosphere. The book depicts the art scene that was present in the Blue Mountains around the 1940’s. I really enjoyed reading about the history of Australian art and artists such as Rupert Partridge and Norman Lindsay. This is a fascinating slice of history which Currawong Manor has introduced me to .The novel also touches on with sensitivity the long lasting effects of war on soldier’s such as Rupert. These parts of Currawong Manor make for compelling and emotive reading. The highlight of Currawong manor is the setting. It really is a joy to read, I loved the descriptions of the landscape that surrounds Currawong Manor. The flora and fauna inhabiting the area of Currawong Manor is described in such as way that it was truly a feast for the senses. I liked the idea that the bush holds its secrets and the eerie tone that it emits adds a strong sense of readability to the book. Currawong Manor itself is almost a character in its own right, dark, brooding and the keeper of secrets. I felt completely drawn to the house and its inhabitants. Pennicott’s characters both in the past and present are wonderfully layered and complex. Currawong Manor's cast of characters also compliment each other well, supporting one another to progress the story to a natural conclusion. The ending was completely satisfying. I did find my reading speed definitely increased for the last half of the novel, as I was keen to find out how the secrets would be revealed. A beautifully written book, which will appeal to lovers of books that blend Australian history, mystery, family secrets, suspense and romance.
...more

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May 27, 2015 Vera rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mystery

*Review of German edition*

Currawong Manor is Josephine Pennicott's second Australian gothic mystery novel. Elizabeth Thorrington is a photographer who travels to Currawong Manor, an old house in the Blue Mountains, NSW Australia, to work on a book about what happened at that property in 1945. In that year, her grandfather Rubert Partridge worked there as an artist. He was infamous because of his confronting paintings, whose themes were highly influenced by his time in the second world war. Also, *Review of German edition*

Currawong Manor is Josephine Pennicott's second Australian gothic mystery novel. Elizabeth Thorrington is a photographer who travels to Currawong Manor, an old house in the Blue Mountains, NSW Australia, to work on a book about what happened at that property in 1945. In that year, her grandfather Rubert Partridge worked there as an artist. He was infamous because of his confronting paintings, whose themes were highly influenced by his time in the second world war. Also, three nude models, called 'The Flowers' were living and working for Rupert, and everyone in the little village believed there were orgies and affairs going on all over the place. In November 1945, Rupert's little daughter Shalimar was found brutally murdered in the Owlbone Woods, and Rupert was hanged after he admitted to have committed the crime.
In 2000, Elizabeth and Nick, the author of the book-to-come, meet Ginger, one of the former 'Flowers' who is now in her 70s, at Currawong Manor. They interview Ginger about how she came to be a Flower and want to find out what really happened back then, because they do not believe in Ruperts responsibility for his daughter's death. About half of the book is therefore told from Ginger's perspective - but it turns out she is not a reliable narrator at all, and that she is lying to Elizabeth as well as to the reader...

Josephine Pennicott is a REALLY talented author. Her descriptions of the house, its gardens, its interior, Ruperts paintings and the woods are extremely vivid. I could visualize it all so well while reading, even if I've never been to Australia. Also the characterization of the personages is done greatly. The older Ginger would be my favorite: a highly eccentric woman who hasn't lost her sex appeal in all those years, even if she's in her 70s now.
I loved the gothic/suspense atmosphere, which origined in the old, dusty house with its towers, the mysterious, creepy woods, the mist that would cover the manor, the witchlike character of Dolly Sharp and the currawong crows that were believed to foretell when someone at the manor was about to die... A great read indeed. I will absolutely read this in English as soon as I can get my hands on a copy - I think I will enjoy it even more in Josephine's original language. ...more

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Jun 25, 2018 Michelle Hickey rated it liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Feb 27, 2016 Katie rated it really liked it

Shelves: australian-authors

http://rainydaywoman.com.au/2016/03/2...
Currawong Manor is a mystery novel set amongst the beautiful Blue Mountains of Australia at a historic homestead with an unsettling past. When Elizabeth is called to photograph her ancestors home for a new book, she is curious to learn about her family history, and get to know more about her grandfather Rupert, a famous artist who mysteriously disappeared one day and was never seen again. Mystery and tragedy seem to surround the Partridge family, who have ...more

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Dec 08, 2014 Angela rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2015

I have never read a story set in Australia. Everything was different and I loved it!! The words, the birds, the animals, the scenery, the books, films, writers, artists, celebrities, and historical figures were all things and people I had either never heard of before or very vaguely but were obviously very common or popular in Australia. Then there's the seasons... snow in June and heat waves in December.... obviously completely opposite from North America which I knew but had never really thoug ...more

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Jan 04, 2015 Kelsey rated it liked it

3.5 or 4 for the mystery itself and the setting.
2 or 2.5 for (view spoiler) ...more

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Jun 10, 2016 Lizpixie rated it liked it

Having enjoyed her first novel, PoetsCottage, I had high hopes for this book, especially with it being set in my favourite place in the world, Blue Mountains NSW. Started off well, but unfortunately didn't quite hit the mark. Not a terrible book, but very boring in parts. Read her first book, Poets Cottage, instead. It doesn't disappoint ...more

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Jul 02, 2015 Shaza rated it liked it

Shelves: 2015

The mystery buildup in this book was positively delicious - It gave me actual shivers and I had trouble sleeping. What stopped me from giving it a higher rating is that the charm was the actual suspense...when revealed it really was a bit of a letdown (as I find the case with many books).

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Jul 31, 2014 Lisa rated it liked it

Long winded in places. Didn't like this book as much as her first. ...more

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Sep 12, 2014 Liz rated it really liked it

Loved this book, great page turner.

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Oct 22, 2014 Erica rated it did not like it

Loved Poet's Cottage but, sadly, not this one. Trying to be a gothic tale, it came across to me as merely overwrought prose. Disappointed. ...more

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Feb 01, 2015 Amanda Holohan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mystery

Loved Josephine Pennicott's beautifully crafted mystery. ...more

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Feb 05, 2015 Kirsty rated it it was amazing

I really enjoyed this novel. It had me hooked from start to finish. I found that by the end I was disappointed that it was over. I would highly recommend this book

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