The Last Truehart is Darry Fraser’s 6th published novel, and the 5th I have had the pleasure to read and review. I love Fraser’s work and unashamedly admit to awaiting the release of each of her new novels with excited anticipation, and The Last Truehart did not disappoint.
The story commences in 1865 with the Confederates American warship the Shenandoah moored in the Williamstown dock in Victoria. Alice Truehart and her fiance Leo Smith were down at the docks to see the ship sail.
When Leo announced ‘And now, me darlin’ golden-haired beauty, … with the doleful brown eyes a man can never forget, I’m just goin’ on board for another look.’ Alice should have known, but she could never have believed that the man she loved, the man she was to be married to that very afternoon, would enlist and desert her, and their babe that she carried.
1898, Alice Truehart-Smith is dead and her daughter Stella stands at the graves of her mother and grandparents, Ellen and Dr Henry Truehart. As she stands there she is disturbed in her musings by a stranger, an investigator, who introduces himself as Bendigo Barrett and advises her he has information about her father.
At the same time as Mr Barrett manifests in her life, Stella starts to get the feeling that someone is watching her, strange footprints in her garden, half caught glimpses of a person at the edge of her vision.
Meanwhile, Leo, Stella’s father had returned to Sydney and was residing in Manly with his wife and three children. On his deathbed, the children are advised of another child, his firstborn whose mother he deserted when pregnant.
Eventually agreeing to accompany Barrett to Sydney to meet the person who has contracted him to find her, Stella finds herself increasingly in danger as a mysterious jewel and its whereabouts take centre stage.
As information is discovered that threatens to tear Leo’s children’s lives apart, Stella finds herself increasingly drawn to Bendigo Barrett, but can she stay alive long enough to resolve the mystery of the missing jewel, and enable her to act on her feelings?
As always Fraser has written a book with strong female characters, and a plotline that grabs you and makes you want to keep reading to find out what happens next, at times with your heart in your mouth. There is no doubt in my mind that Fraser’s skill as an author increases with every book she writes, already I can’t wait for her next book to be released!
Many thanks to Darry Fraser, Harper Collins Publishers (Mira imprint) and Beauty and Lace for the opportunity to read and review The Last Truehart. Highly recommended, I give it 4 stars.
A selection of our Beauty and Lace Club Members are reading The Last Truehart by Darry Fraser. You can read their comments below, or add your own review.
ISBN: 978 1489294548 / Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers Australia
I love to read, for many years my passion has been science fantasy but recently I’ve discovered many fabulous Australian women authors and am devouring all the new genres I am being exposed to.
In addition to reading and reviewing books I enjoy photography, spending time with my husband, daughter, grandson, 2 dogs and a cat and am an aspiring author.
Thank you to Beauty and Lace and Harper Collins for the opportunity to read and review The Last Truehart.
This was my first book by Darry Fraser, I struggled to get into it at first and had to put it down a few times to try again laster. I am glad I persisted as it was a really interesting read!
Thank you to Beauty and Lace book club for the opportunity to read The Last Truehart by Darry Fraser – I have read a few of Darry’s novels and I thoroughly enjoy them.
The Last Truehart is Stella and we follow her adventures to discover who her father was and the trials and tribulations she has to go thru to eventually make contact with his ‘new’ family with the help of a private detective Bendigo Barrett – the story takes place in Geelong, Bendigo and Manly and is set in the late 1800’s: a great 4* read.
Thank you to Beauty and Lace and Harper Collins for the opportunity to read and review The Last Truehart.
I did struggle at first to get into this book. I am a slow reader at the best of times but I persisted and I am so glad I did. A very interesting read. I love that Darry Fraser thoroughly researchers her books and includes Australian history throughout. A must read for fans of Darry Fraser and Australian novels.
Thanks as always to Beauty and lace and Harper Collins for the opportunity to read The last Truehart.
As a newbie to Darry Fraser I really wasn’t sure what to expect! I don’t read a lot of historical fiction so this for me was also a different experience.
I overall enjoyed The Last Truehart. It was very easy to read, easy to follow and the characters were believable. A reason I don’t usually read historical fiction is because it often jumps back and forth during generations and I find that extremely hard to follow.
The last Truehart did not do this to me which I really enjoyed.
My favourite character was Bendigo, he seemed like such a genuine, down to earth guy that only wanted the best for everyone, including his sisters. Stella was also a great main character who I really liked.
Although I hadn’t read any of Darry’s books before I will definitely keep an eye out for more, and have recommended to older ladies in my book club as I feel Darrys books would be great for the older reader.
The Last Truehart was a great read about A lady running out of opinions to stay alive with not much money.
Great characters in the book I enjoyed reading the book.