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Currawong Manor
by
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
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
Paperback, 400 pages
Published
June 1st 2014
by Macmillan Australia
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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

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

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.
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.

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
...more

‘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 ...more
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 ...more

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
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

★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
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

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

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
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

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
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

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

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
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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.
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.

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.
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*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 ...more
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 ...more

*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, ...more
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, ...more

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

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
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

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

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

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
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Long winded in places. Didn't like this book as much as her first.
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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.
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Loved Josephine Pennicott's beautifully crafted mystery.
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This is the first book in years that I read in a day. Couldn't put it down. Loved it!
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