Yesterday's Dust

Mallawindy #3

by Joy Dettman

Sequel to the bestselling Mallawindy and Henry's Daughter

Only the strong survive Mallawindy. Some get away, but even they fight to escape the town's dark legacy. Jack Burton escaped. For six years he has been missing, presumed dead. Still, memories of him continue to dominate the lives of his family. His wife, Ellie, stands at the gate each night, waiting for him to return - until a man's body is found.

Once again, the Burtons' turbulent history will be unearthed . . .

Genres: Fiction

388 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Joy Dettman was born in country Victoria and spent her early years in towns on either side of the Murray River. She is an award-winning writer of short stories, the complete collection of which, Diamonds in the Mud, was published in 2007, as well as the highly acclaimed novels Mallawindy, Jacaranda Blue, Goose Girl, Yesterday's Dust, The Seventh Day, Henry's Daughter, One Sunday, Pearl in a Cage, Thorn on the Rose, Moth to the Flame and Wind in the Wires. Ripples on a Pond is Joy's fifth novel in her Woody Creek series.

Reviews

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book picks up from Malawindy. They are quite a messed up family. The series can be a bit challenging to read but is generally really good. I really like Mandy as a character.

[Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yesterday' Dust. Ties up ends that were left after Mallawindy. A good read.

[Leah Hyndman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the continuation story of the first book in this trilogy which is a little confusing because the second book doesn't seem to have anything to do with these two and is written about a completely different family.
I was waiting for the stories to merge throughout the book - I'm still not sure if I missed it.

Apart from that mystery the story is written really well and is a hard look at how isolated families can be in outback towns. There's lots of tragedy and trauma all wrapped up in the story line - some of which should require a bit of a warning as it really could trigger some readers.

The main premise of the two books about the Burton family is a little far fetched - I don't want to give anything away though.

The characters felt like real people in these books which is great. I'm hoping there's another edition to come next. Definitely need another book for the 2nd tale of this trilogy!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read. Joy Dettman cleverly delves into the characters' hearts and actions and gives us a satisfying conclusion to Mallawindy, proving once again that sometimes family will do anything to protect family, even at the cost of their own peace of mind and their own hearts. It had been a while since I had read Mallawindy so I was glad this book also revisited some of the previous events to refresh my memory.

[Jade Harvie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great read, one of my favourite series. So well written. Anne experiences so many hardships and tragedies. The book is a testament to the strength and resilience of particular women and showcases this through Anne.

[Rowlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sequel to Mallawindy and another great Joy Dettman read.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read.. thank you Ms Dettman. Loved this 2 book series.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sequel to Mallawindy and although it neatly ties up the loose ends I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first book.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 of Mallawindy is as good as they come. The best of Joy Dettman. It's a novel I will not easily forget. The first chapter pulls you in.

Yesterdays Dust is a magnificent piece of work. I was riveted. A page turner, just like Mallawindy. Insight into behaviours and personalities as only a true writer can express. If I could change anything, it would be the severity of the crime that is fully revealed toward the end. It left a bad after-taste.

The only glaring question is with John the son. Suffering from past trauma and self-loathing, because he had the face of his father. Why did he not grow a beard and hide his own face? The psychological answer to that would also reveal why he chose to wear his father's clothes. Joy Dettman is very good at making one think.

All in all, this is a brilliant series. Very enjoyable. I thoroughly recommend both Mallawindy and Yesterdays Dust.

[Amanda - Mrs B's Book Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yesterday’s Dust is the sequel to Mallawindy and Joy Dettman’s fourth book. It is a book that solidifies Joy Dettman place as one of Australia’s best story tellers in the field of small town fiction. Yesterday’s Dust is a domestic fiction novel that explores family complications and secrets. It centres around the largely unhappy members of the Burton family of the town of Mallawindy, country New South Wales, who are falling apart at the seams. The family tries to escape the clutches of Jack, the patriarch, but are somehow drawn back to the sleepy town of Mallawindy. This is an Australian family saga full of drama, violence and secrets. Another entertaining read from Joy Dettman.

[Cheyenne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sequel to Mallawindy, it is good though I thought the first book was better, this one dragged in some places I felt, still would recommend it especially if you like Joy's other books but read Mallawindy first

[Mirjam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second book in the series and just as good.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good sequel to Mallawindy. Not quite as good, it took a bit to get going.It tied up a lot of the loose ends. A worthwhile read.

[Yvette Irvine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great sequel to Mallawindy.

[Ellen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tedious re-hash of the first book, with little added in the way of plot or character development.

[Jennifer Hopson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing

[Kaaren Matthewson · Rating 4 out of 5]

another great joy dettman novel

[Rachel Mateo · Rating 5 out of 5]

love it