The Governor's House in Aussie Readers

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Jun 03, 2015 Brenda rated it really liked it

Shelves: own-read, arc, historical-fiction, aussie-authors, net-galley, 2015-release, read-on-kindle

London and a young Catherine Haggard (Cat) found herself struggling to care for her mother who was dying from consumption – with no money for medicine or food and only thirteen years of age, she was distraught. But things came to pass and in December 1849 she found herself on a convict ship, the St Vincent, bound for Van Diemen’s Land – fourteen years instead of the hangman’s noose; four months incarcerated with a hold full of vicious and rough women saw her determined to one day leave her past London and a young Catherine Haggard (Cat) found herself struggling to care for her mother who was dying from consumption – with no money for medicine or food and only thirteen years of age, she was distraught. But things came to pass and in December 1849 she found herself on a convict ship, the St Vincent, bound for Van Diemen’s Land – fourteen years instead of the hangman’s noose; four months incarcerated with a hold full of vicious and rough women saw her determined to one day leave her past behind.

Joanne was dean of Historical Studies at the Tasmanian University, and also a descendant of Cat Haggard. It was 2015, one hundred and three years since Catherine had passed away; but Joanne had suddenly been tasked with finding an artefact which had been missing since Cat’s time on Tasmania – it was thought that Cat had something to do with the missing treasure. But how would Joanne be able to trace back to that period of time; to learn more about Cat’s life and the events of a century ago?

The Governor’s House was built when Cat was serving at the house of a doctor nearby. She longed to grace the halls of the magnificent house; she knew she was dreaming but that was her great longing. She had also fallen love with a man by the name of Mungo Jackson – their dalliance was kept a secret; after all a convict girl had no rights. But their daring adventures changed Cat’s life – she looked to the future; continued in her aim to better herself.

As Joanne continued in her attempt to decipher what was considered to be code from her long ago ancestor, she had no idea that her life was in peril. Unscrupulous and dangerous men were determined to thwart her every attempt – would she realize the danger in time? Feeling closer than ever to Cat as she learned more about her, Joanne understood that The Governor’s House had as much meaning to her as it had to Cat all those years before. Would Joanne be able to solve the mystery or would the artefact remain buried in the past?

I thoroughly enjoyed The Governor’s House by author J.H. Fletcher. Richly steeped in Australian history, the combining of the mid-1800s with present day was well done. Narrated by both Cat and Joanne, I very much enjoyed the story of Cat’s life; the hardships of those days and the lives of the convicts in Van Dieman’s Land (now Tasmania) and I found the author’s notes at the end of the book interesting as well – details based on fact and embellished for the story. I have no hesitation in recommending The Governor’s House very highly.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy to read and review.
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Dec 25, 2020 Kathryn rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction, audiobooks, australian-authors, 2020-reading-list

3.5★

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Jun 15, 2015 Janine marked it as to-read

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