Author: Anna Romer
ISBN: 978-19-220-5242-1
RRP: $29.99
Lyrebird Hill is a story of the distant past and the recent past converging with the present. Written across two very different timelines Romer brings together the stories of Brenna and Ruby, two women who share a connection with the property of Lyrebird Hill.
Romer has written two distinct timelines and two leading ladies, both of whom grew up on Lyrebird Hill. I don’t want to say too much because there is a large element of mystery to the story and I would hate to ruin it for anyone.
The property of Lyrebird Hill has been passed down through the generations for over 100 years and it is still complete, even through drought and rough years none of the land has been sold off to help out.
In the 1800s there was an indigenous clan living on the land of Lyrebird Hill and there were some very mixed feelings about them being there. Brenna’s father wants to keep his land intact in an effort to keep the clan safe. Brenna spends lots of time with the clan, learning about all of the plants and herbs on the land and what they can be used for. Information which she keeps stored in a beautifully self-illustrated notebook that is never far from her side.
A bad crop sees Michael Magavin in dire straits financially and still determined not to sell off any of the land. In the end an associate offers a proposal which will keep Lyrebird Hill safe, it just means Brenna must marry him and move to Tasmania until she bears him a son. An arrangement which made my skin crawl but I am from a very different time. Rather than risk losing the family land that she loves Brenna agrees to the proposal, not unhappily either because she has been quite intrigued by Mr Whitby. It will be quite a transition for her to leave Lyrebird Hill and the Armidale area behind to move to Tasmania but she feels it is a necessary sacrifice for the safety of the family’s legacy.
Brenna soon comes to see a very different side of Mr Whitby once they are married and her time in Tasmania is quite lonely until she forms a very close friendship with Whitby’s sister Adele.
Alternating chapters focus on Ruby Cardel a young woman who spent much of her childhood at Lyrebird Hill, sometime after the tragic loss of her older sister Ruby and her mother moved into Armidale and the property was sold to a neighbor. The day Jamie died remains a mystery, whatever happened is locked away in Ruby’s mind – she has blocked out a year of her life and believes that it was all a tragic accident.
What will happen when she discovers that it wasn’t an accident? Slowly her life begins to come apart at the seams and glimpses of the past start returning.
Ruby is a beautifully drawn character, she incites such empathy even though there are times her insecurities make her a little painful to watch.
The story opens with her heading to an exhibition opening with her boyfriend. He is a well-known and gorgeous author who leaves her wondering, on a regular basis, why her? He could have anyone so why her. This is quite a common thought for a lot of people in relationships but it’s something Ruby really seems to struggle with.
Right from the beginning Rob seems not quite right for her. He is patronizing and just brushes away her fears. He doesn’t address them so they can work through them, just tries to brush them off with snippets from his books.
Ruby heads back home to Lyrebird Hill to find out what she can from the elderly neighbor who bought the property but things don’t quite go to plan.
The door that has been firmly bolted in her memory was unlocked when she studied her mum’s paintings at the exhibition but it isn’t until she returns home that the flow of memories starts to gain momentum.
Ruby’s story is told in present and past tense and the transition is quite rapid, one minute she’s in the present and going about her day and then she slips into the daydream of a returning memory and takes us with her.
Romer has woven the threads of this tale together remarkably well, even through three timelines the story never lacks cohesion and the flow is quite intense as it all moves towards the climactic coming together of all threads.
Lyrebird Hill is a story I love because it has elements of many genres and the central character is a booklover who ran away from home to open a bookstore – what a heavenly idea that is to me. The mystery woven into the history of both women is gripping and there were some fabulous twists in the story. There was a little romance and there was a side of history we often don’t get.
The way there were a couple of things that tied all of the threads so nicely together was convincingly done and even now as I sit and write this I am still connecting dots and putting pieces together, long after I closed the book.
Anna Romer is definitely batting 2 for 2 and I, personally, can’t wait to see what’s in store for us with number 3.
Some of our very lucky book club readers will also be reading Lyrebird Hill and I can not wait to hear what they have to say about it. Don’t forget to check back here for their thoughts.
They will also each have a question for Anna Romer in their comments and the best ones will be compiled for an upcoming author interview with Romer herself. I am looking forward to seeing what they come up with.
I devour books, vampires and supernatural creatures are my genre of choice but over the past couple of years, I have broadened my horizons considerably. In a nutshell – I love to write! I love interacting with a diverse range of artists to bring you interviews. Perhaps we were perfect before – I LOVE WORDS!
I just finished reading Lyrebird Hill and found it enjoyable.
I loved the character of Ruby; I’ve always dreamed of owning a bookstore as she did in the book, and I really felt for her as she dealt with her struggles of figuring out what had happened to her sister.
I also liked how there was the underlying story about Brenna, although at times, particularly in the beginning of the novel, I was a little thrown as at the beginning of each chapter it was either Brenna or Ruby’s chapter and I found myself having to get into that character’s story again. Having said that, the story did flow nicely though as it weaved through each woman’s tale.
There were a few niggling little things that didn’t add for me; I don’t want to write them here as it may be seen as a spoiler for those who haven’t read the book yet, but I’ll just say that Ruby not recognising certain characters wasn’t very convincing.
I loved the descriptions of the outback, it really envoked a sense of our beautiful land.
The female characters (Brenna, Ruby, Adele, Jamie) were all really great in their own ways – I loved how each had struggles whether it was back in the late 1800’s or present day.
Also I’d like to mention that the cover of the book is beautiful. The two girls holding hands, for me, captures the special bond that sisters share.
I’d recommend this book to those who love stories of family secrets, and love strong female characters.
It is an entertaining read!
I know the author, Anna Romer lives on a property in the outback, and my question to her would be: How long has she lived on a remote property, and what are some of the things she had to learn about living in rural Australia?
Initially on starting Lyre Bird Hill I thought it was far too complex, but I quickly got drawn in by both characters and their stories. I loved how both were interwoven and ended up linked with each other.
The mix of old and new, romance and mystery made for an enjoyable read, and once I started I could not put the book down and ended up finishing it in two days. So disappointed now I have to find another one!
Whilst I did enjoy this book, and would recommend it, I felt that some of the secondary characters were not that developed, and felt it would have only enhanced the story had they been. I felt that Ruby and Brenna both had a very lonely journey, but perhaps this feeling was intended.
I also enjoyed the relationship with Brenna and Lucien, however, once again this could have been built up more.
Overall a great story with strong female characters, and a delightful twist that kept me guessing the whole way through.
Question: What gave you the inspiration for this story?
Thank you so much to Beauty and Lace and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to guzzle up this book. I don’t often get an opportunity to stop and read a book, and I loved every minute of it.
This is definitely a book to read in one or two sittings. I tried fitting it in to my work commitments on the first couple of days and found myself losing the thread of the story. Anne Romer is very skilful at managing each shift between the past and the present with a few deft sentences to remind us of what happened, but there were still bits where I had to go back and check what was being referred to. For example, Esther’s off-hand remark about a book didn’t register with me on the first reading. Yet it became highly significant later in the narrative. I found myself going back over previous pages to try and find missing pieces. This was not unpleasurable, but it did interrupt the flow of the story.
I loved both the main characters – Brenna and Ruby. They were strong but vulnerably human women who led very difficult lives. I loved the coincidences between the two stories – men with scars, artistic talents, abusive socially-acceptable men contrasted with mis-fitting empathic men, and so on. I also lapped up the descriptions of the Australian countryside. I’m a city slicker so, although I have had lots of holidays in country areas, these rich descriptions were fresh and enjoyable for me.
The story of the murders and how they came about was genuinely unpredictable until I had read about two thirds of the book. After that, it was just a matter of filling in the details.
The only part I found a bit hard to accept was the split between good guys and bad guys. In this book, the “bad” men turned out to be truly evil and the “good” men were unfailingly warm and generous. While the “appearances can be deceptive” message rang true, I had to really work at becoming engrossed in any of the male characters. They seemed to be nothing but props for the storyline. In contrast, the characters of the women were much better developed. But since this book was written from the perspective of women it is not surprising. At this level, I think the book would be less appealing to men than to women. I’d be interested to see any reviews from men to see if my gut-feeling holds true.
The other very small bit that didn’t ring true was that Bobby told his mother he had taken the locket. Why would he do so when it was crucial to getting rid of Wolf back to the boy’s home? And why would he do so when the locket was not in his possession so he couldn’t return it. That bit didn’t make sense at all. Perhaps someone else told Doreen (e.g. Jaimie) but it wasn’t made explicit. Or perhaps Bobby was lying about his mother wanting the locket back. Again, it wasn’t made explicit.
As for my question to Anne Romer, it has to do with a thread in the story that I either missed or didn’t understand. And yet it was crucial to a turn in the narrative. Towards the end of her life, Brenna gave her locket to her neighbour Doreen Drake. Why would she do this? Although the locket had many dreadful memories for her, it also contained a picture of the person she had believed to be her mother for most of her youth. A kind and warm-hearted woman, who was cherished by Brenna regardless of her later discoveries. A woman who she acknowledges shaped her personality as much as her genes and early family. It doesn’t ring true that she would part with the locket, much less the picture. I also could find no explanation as to why she would give this locket (which she had kept all her adult life) to a neighbour, rather than give it to her daughter-in-law. Most crucially, I couldn’t find any explanation as to why Doreen cherished the locket. Because much of the final revelation hinged on this, it would have been nice to be told. Perhaps I missed it, but I could find no explanation of the bond between Doreen and Brenna.
Thank you once again for the opportunity to review this book.
Lyrebird Hill by Anna Romer is one of those un-put-down-able books that really draws you in right from the start. It’s a haunting family saga, set against the backdrop of a harsh Australian landscape, and tied together by two separate narratives set decades apart but cleverly intertwined by the tragedies, guilt, suspicion, family secrets and forbidden love that has beset them. Is this the family legacy?
On the one hand Lyrebird Hill is the story of modern day Ruby, who has lost her memory of the fateful circumstances surrounding the death of her beloved sister and childhood companion Jamie. A carefree childhood with two little girls running through the long grass and scrambling over river rocks was tragically cut short and now despite many years passing, an adult Ruby is still haunted by her sister’s death. So, when her mother finally admits that Jamie’s death on the riverbanks near their family home at Lyrebird Hill was suspicious, it is with some dread and considerable guilt that Ruby returns to her childhood home in the hope of understanding why her mind has protected her from remembering… It is while she is back at Lyrebird Hill that Ruby gradually realizes that not only was Jamie’s death not an accident but that others have actively kept her from the truth… the suspicions and secrets that then unfold, and Ruby’s gradual piecing together of all her glimmers of memory is skillfully crafted and leads to a gripping and clever conclusion!
Juxtaposed against this is the story of Ruby’s ancestor Brenna who lived at Lyrebird Hill with her father and young foster brother in the 1890’s when it was a sprawling property and was also home to an aboriginal tribe for whom Brenna and her father have a strong affinity. Brenna’s love of the land and the Aboriginal people is made evident through Brenna’s fascination with sketching and painting her natural environment, and understanding bush medicine. But like Ruby Brenna is wrenched from her innocent enjoyments at Lyrebird Hill, when her family is faced with financial ruin. To save Lyrebird Hill and to secure a future for those that live there, Brenna agrees to marry a rich family friend who will clear their debts. But as in Ruby’s story all is not as it seems, and against a background of violence, murder and treachery, Brenna lives to regret her decision and the repercussions it has on her family…
Lyrebird Hill is a thoroughly engrossing and deeply poignant story of dark family secrets. It is a story of mystery, discovery and terrible tragedy, and it kept me in its thrall until the very end. I can’t wait to read more from Anna Romer (a great new Australian writing discovery).
If I could ask the author one question it would be where she gets the inspiration for her depiction of such strong female characters? From history? Her own family? Both Ruby and Brenna are such well-rounded characters described with all normal human frailties but with such guts and feistiness.
loved this book, now you have 2, thornwood house,loved that too.when is the next book.
I loved this book! The female characters were strong and inspiring through all the challenges and hardships faced they still remained true to themselves.
I loved the shift between the past and what was happening in the present and the author easily made this transition. I loved the fact that whilst it could be put down and picked up without loosing track of what was happening, you didnt want to.
I actually committed the mortal sin of switching the TV on for the kids so I could run away to my room to finish the book! Terrible I know but I just needed to know what happened next!
Great summer time read!
Lyrebird Hill lived up to my expectations and more. I loved It! One of the best books I have read for some time. In my email asking to review, part of my explanation was that I wanted a book that would surprise me and be intriguing and Lyrebird Hill surely did that. I could not predict what was going to happen apart from one thing and that was that the property was going to be left to Ruby.
I initially intend to read this book while travelling away for the weekend, but ended up receiving on the Wednesday, needless to say I finished an hour into our trip on Friday! I could not put it down.
I would recommend this book to everyone to read and I look forward to reading Thornwood House, hoping it would be just as great.
My question to Anna is the only thing that puzzled me when I finished the book. Why would Brenna leave her young neighbour the locket? Is there another twist to this story that is yet untold?
Thank you for sending me this book, it was my pleasure to read it!
Katrina
What a fantastic book! It is written with such detailed descriptions I felt like I could see, hear and smell everything that was there! This book has it all – murder, mystery, history, secrets and forbidden love!
It has three timelines really, one set in the 1800’s and one in 2013 but with regular flashbacks to childhood memories in the 90’s, the stories revolve around two strong women whom have both grown up on the property Lyrebird Hill and have had to move away against their wishes. Often in books with two story lines I like reading one more than the other but I loved both in this book equally.
In the 1800’s Brenna is forced into a marriage with an older man to save her family’s beloved property. There are painful secrets learnt about her heritage and what happened to her family. Then her husband shows his true colours once he has her trapped in marriage. At times it is very depressing but there are always lovely bright spots to lighten the heart like her wonderful friendship with her new sister-in-law and her forbidden love for another.
In 2013 Ruby is a bookworm who owns her own book store, lives in a lovely seaside cottage and has a handsome and successful boyfriend of 3 years. She has a whole year of her memory missing from when her older sister Jaime died in an accident when she was 12. Due to a chance meeting with an old neighbour who tells her that Jaime’s death wasn’t an accident her life starts to unravel and her memories start to drift back.
I love the way the two stories fit together and I love twists in a story and this one had a few!!
My question to the author is: What happened to Pete in the years from when he was sent to Newcastle and how did he end up with the farm next door?
Thanks for the opportunity to read and review this book and I’m looking forward to buying and reading Anna’s first book Thornwood House.
Thank you for letting me read and review Lyrebird Hill.
I enjoyed how the scenic imagery pulled me into the story for both modern day Ruby and 1800’s Brenna. Once I was entranced it only took the story to unfold in front of me.
Ruby was fairly solitary for a modern day girl, but I think the childhood tragedy of her sister dying in mysterious circumstances set her up this way. I enjoyed her trip back to her childhood home and how it helped unlock secrets from the past, and make plans for her future. I was glad she would be able to work through her past as it affected a lot of her life.
Brenna seemed to be at her best in the brilliance of nature especially with the Aboriginals who live on the property, and the loving arms of her family. She was quick to help her father keep their farm by agreeing to marry a richer family friend. This led her to somewhere different geographically and eventually in spirit also. She made amazing friends, but her worst enemy was her husband. A chain of events led to a catastrophe which would affect future generations.
These two stories were intertwined by a series of letters, and it was great to unravel the story bit by bit. Most of it was a mystery to me, as it should be, and I loved the way it came together.
My question for Anna Romer is – was Ruby or Brenna the easiest to connect with, and why?
Could not put the book down!! Was a wonderful read and soooo very happy that I was on this book club trial!!
Was riveted from the start and loved both the worlds, Rubys in the present day as well as Brenna in the Australia gone by. I would get so caught up with either Ruby’s story or Brenna that I felt almost a physical wrench to shuttle between the two periods in time!! Till they both meet in the present and help solve and complete the story. Really happy that both Ruby and Brenna got a happy ending inspite of hardships. Do wish Brenna had more happiness in her life and would like to think that she did as feel she did not have enough time with Lucien at all.
Cannot wait to read other books by Anna Romer as truly loved the richness and depth to her chracters and the fast pace of the story right to the end.
My question for Anna- Why did you not elaborate more on the lyrebird and perhaps have an encounter with the bird for either of the characters in some way to make it more significant to the story. The silver lyrebird locket did not really belong to Brenna would have liked either Anna or her to actually have something to do with the lyrebird. I have seen one(at the zoo!) they are certainly beautiful!
A big thank you to Beauty & Lace/Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to receive a new book!
“Lyrebird Hill” by Anna Romer is a beautiful book. The cover is very inviting and it is a good read.
I particularly love the fact that the story is set between Armidale/Coffs/Sawtell as I live in Armidale. The description of Rob’s apartment and the scenery of the Jetty and Muttonbird Island had me picturing the area, as we have often had holidays in Coffs Harbour. The descriptions of the bushland and the wildflowers had an authentic feel and takes one back to actually walking in the bush.
I love the historical story surrounding Brenna and her family. It would not have been easy for white settlers and Aborigines to form lasting friendships.
Family relationships are not always as they seem and this is portrayed between Ruby and her mother.
The question of “will she/won’t she?” and “did he/didn’t he?” make for great reading.
The Rob Thistleton quotes at the start of chapters are very fitting.
I am obsessed with murder mysteries and this book has shown a different style of this. “Lyrebird Hill” is a more gentle read, yet still has the reader perched, waiting to see what will happen.
My question to Anna Romer is: “Was the story of Brenna and her tribe taken from any real life experiences you have had with Aborigines?”