Lyrebird Hill in Aussie Readers

Jul 25, 2014 Brenda rated it it was amazing

Shelves: own-read, arc, net-galley, aussie-authors, sent-by-publisher, 2014-release, mystery

Living in a little cottage in the coastal town of Sawtell and working in nearby Coffs Harbour was like a dream come true to Ruby Cardel. She owned the Busy Bookworm, a bookshop where she sold rare and second-hand books alongside the newer releases and despite the advent of the digital age, her shop was doing well. She also had her boyfriend Rob, whom she’d been seeing for the past three years and was very happy with – though the years ago tragedy of her sister Jamie’s death was never far from he Living in a little cottage in the coastal town of Sawtell and working in nearby Coffs Harbour was like a dream come true to Ruby Cardel. She owned the Busy Bookworm, a bookshop where she sold rare and second-hand books alongside the newer releases and despite the advent of the digital age, her shop was doing well. She also had her boyfriend Rob, whom she’d been seeing for the past three years and was very happy with – though the years ago tragedy of her sister Jamie’s death was never far from her thoughts, she was reasonably content with life.

But the day Rob and Ruby went to Armidale to attend an art exhibition for Ruby’s mother was to be a major turning point in her life. Ruby had lost a year of memories from when her sister Jamie had died at Lyrebird Hill, and though her mother had told her it was deemed an accident Ruby was unable to recall the events of that terrible day; she bore a deep guilt at not being able to bring answers to them all. Would the reason for the accident that had taken her beloved sister ever be clear to her?

In 1898 Brenna Magavin was living in Lyrebird Hill with her brother Owen, Aunt Ivy and her father Fa Fa. During the days she would escape to the bottom of the property where an aboriginal family lived – she was friends with them all, and loved to learn about the plants and their medicinal properties. She also loved to sketch those delicate leaves; her work was intricate and beautiful. But the peace of those days was a distant memory for Brenna when she found herself travelling to Tasmania in the company of a man who was many years her senior….

When Ruby discovered a long hidden box filled with letters from Brenna, she realized their lives were entwined – for tragedy had found a way of continuing down through the years; the slight snatches of memory which were coming to Ruby were scaring her; was she ready to find out the truth?

Lyrebird Hill is a breathtaking novel, a stunningly beautiful tale with tragic secrets which were shattered like glass. Aussie author Anna Romer paints the most amazing word pictures – the blending of the two stories told by both Brenna from 1898 and Ruby in 2013 was done with ease. I found myself holding my breath and on the edge of my seat at times; the mystery and intrigue is gripping and intense. I absolutely loved this book and have no hesitation in recommending it highly.

With thanks to Simon and Schuster, and NetGalley for my copy to read and review.
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Aug 11, 2014 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out rated it really liked it

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

As in Romer's debut novel, Thornwood House, the past casts deep shadows over the present in Lyrebird Hill, a haunting story of family secrets, mystery and murder.

Ruby Cardel can't remember the events surrounding the tragic death of her sister, Jamie. She knows only what she has been told, that Jamie died in an accident when they were children, slipping and falling into the river that bordered their property, Lyrebird Hill and that Ruby was found nearby, bruised and disorientated, her memory of t
As in Romer's debut novel, Thornwood House, the past casts deep shadows over the present in Lyrebird Hill, a haunting story of family secrets, mystery and murder.

Ruby Cardel can't remember the events surrounding the tragic death of her sister, Jamie. She knows only what she has been told, that Jamie died in an accident when they were children, slipping and falling into the river that bordered their property, Lyrebird Hill and that Ruby was found nearby, bruised and disorientated, her memory of the past year gone. Though Ruby has built a life for herself, opening a bookstore in Coffs Harbour and is in a relationship with handsome self help guru, Rob, her sister's death continues to haunt her, and she is stunned when her mother is forced to confess that Jamie's death was no accident. Despite a persistent feeling of dread, Ruby decides it is time to uncover the truth about that fateful day and returns to Lyrebird Hill in the hope of finding the answers she seeks.

As Ruby tries to unravel the mystery of Jamie's death, a second narrative emerges telling the tale of Brenna Magavin. In 1898, nineteen year old Brenna was the carefree young mistress of Lyrebird Hill, owned by her father. When financial ruin threatened to force the sale of the property, Brenna agreed to marry a family friend, a peer of her father's, in exchange for the clearance of the debt, only to discover she made a deal with the devil. When Ruby discovers a tin full of letters written by Brenna buried at Lyrebird Hill she learns her family's history is blighted with tragedy, betrayal and murder and fears it is a legacy she has unwittingly perpetuated.

The dual narratives of Lyrebird Hill weave a captivating and complex tale as the mysteries surrounding Jamie's and Brenna's fate unravel. The atmosphere darkens as secrets are revealed and danger lurks. There is unspeakable violence, bitter regrets and shocking treachery but also a thread of redemption, of truth and even triumph.

The prose is lush and lyrical evoking both the landscape of Lyrebird Hill and the fraught emotions of Romer's characters. There are distinct modern gothic undertones to the story, with a hint of fairytale morality. I did find the pacing a little slow, more so in the contemporary timeline, but the stunning twists presented in the conclusion of both narratives easily compensate for the small lag.

An absorbing and atmospheric tale, beautifully told, I enjoyed Lyrebird Hill and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.
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Aug 10, 2014 Sheree rated it it was amazing

Shelves: reviews, historical-fiction, contemporary-fiction, aussie-author, read-in-2014

Anna Romer earned herself a fan with her debut Thornwood House and with Lyrebird Hill she cements her position as a voice to be reckoned with in Australian fiction ... an exceptionally talented writer.

I adored every minute of Lyrebird Hill. For me Anna Romer is synonymous with lyrical, atmospheric writing; of such haunting and addictive quality you savour every word. Once again it's a seamless blending of contemporary and historical narrative, Ruby 2013 and Brenna 1898 ... past and present inter ...more

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