The Girl and the Ghost-Grey Mare

by Rachael Treasure

From Rachael Treasure, one of Australia's favourite rural storytellers, comes this charming collection of short stories.

You’ll laugh and smile your way through this collection, which includes the favourite tales, 'The Girl And The Ghost-Grey Mare' and 'The Evolution Of Sadie Smith', as well as some new stories that have never published before in book form. All the stories have rural settings, but they’re not all romances. These stories are lively and full of warmth, heart and humour.

Rachael Treasure is the author of Jillaroo, The Rouseabout, The Cattleman's Daughter and The Stockmen. The Australian Women's Weekly said, "Rachael Treasure writes with true grit, wit and warmth."

Genres: Short Stories, Romance, Fiction, Australia, Audiobook

236 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2011

About the author

Rachael Treasure lives in southern rural Tasmania with her two young children. She is passionate about encouraging non-readers to read, inspiring farmers to consider regenerative agricultural practices and animal handlers to better understand their dogs and livestock. She is a graduate of Orange Agricultural College and has a Bachelor of Arts (Communication) from Charles Sturt University, Bathurst. She has worked as a jillaroo, rural journalist, ABC radio broadcaster, professional woolclasser, part-time vet nurse, family farm manager, drover and stock camp cook. She has written 4 novels and a short story collection, all bestsellers.
Follow her on facebook:
www.facebook.com/rach.treasure

Reviews

[Sue Gerhardt Griffiths · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was in the mood to listen to short stories and as I love Rachael Treasure’s books I thought I’d give this a go. This is a great compilation of 19 unusual and interesting Australian stories. Some were quite gruesome, some filled with humour and others dreamy and romantic.


Listened to the audiobook on BorrowBox
Published by Bolinda audio
Read by Miranda Nation
Duration: 6 hrs, 2 min. 1.25x Speed

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up thinking it was a Rachael Treasure novel (because I've always been meaning to read her and finally got around to it) but it was a book of her short stories - a couple of which I found I had read before. Overall, some nice stories. There were a couple that were a bit jarring in that they didn't fit the style of the others. Am still keen to read one of her novels though.

[Suzanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

i didnt really enjoy this at all. not like her other books....

[Trena · Rating 1 out of 5]

Short stories are really not my thing.Sorry Rach but they are not yours either .You have a rear gift to bring characters to life, use it. The darkside was a bit gory for me.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with all of Rachael Treasure's books, I loved it! The stories captured the Australian rural lifestyle so beautifully - some were funny, some sweet and romantic and others just a little too creepy LOL. I finished the book with a tear in my eye! They only downside is that I would have liked most of the stories to keep going and unfold a little further and for the characters to develop more, but I guess in all honesty I do prefer novels over short stories; but that's just my preference. It's still a great read :)

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started this book with some excitement - the excitement wore off more and more as I progressed through the book.
Some of the stories were rather 'dark' and really not my kind of book at all.
Others?? Well, suffice to say I would rather read a whole book that a book of short stories.
Sorry, not what I was thinking I would find in this book.

[ReadingupwiththeRajs · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t realise this was short stories until I started, I don’t usually read many.
Was not bad, surprisingly macabre themes throughout but I’m guessing the author was releasing a creative writing side that she doesn’t normally in her usual rural genre.

[Joanne Dooley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not a fan of short stories. Some of these stories were entertaining while others were a bit predictable. I love this author's work usually and in future I’ll sticks to her novels.

[Vicki Basham · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few short stories, enjoyed them but would prefer a longer book. el written by another good author

[Glenys · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of short stories, enjoyed them all.

[Annie Longmuir · Rating 1 out of 5]

Several short stories. Just not for me.

[Vicki Robe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a collection of short stories put together by Rachael Treasure. They are all country in origin and vary in length depending on the depth of the characters in the stories.

[Sharna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book of short stories, these show case Treasure’s skills as a writer.

[Rae Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

19 short country based stories

A quick, easy read between bigger novels, reading one short story at a time!

[Vicki Malone-Azara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the beginning of this book and after half way through I didn’t particularly enjoy a few of the stories.

[Preet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a collection of 19 short stories all written about the fabulous Rachael Treasure. The stories range in themes from nice and sweet, to some I found gory and disturbing. The main characters in the stories vary from human beings to animals. The settings are also varied. There is something in this anthology for everyone.

Some of my favorite stories are: "The Girl and the Ghost Grey Mare", "Gentleman Required", "Eliza's Cards", "Feathers and Fast Horses", "The Tractor Factor", and "The Evolution of Sadie Smith".
You know a writer is great when you even like the stories that give you goosebumps.

[Tessa Baker · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Rachael but I was rather disappointed with this one. The first story was great, but I honestly feel that I was lured into a false sense of security. There were some ok stories, some pretty ordinary ones and others were down right morbid. Cutting up and preserving your mother, slaughtering your annoying deceased husbands dog and turning it into a handbag and killing your husbands favorite working dog to win back his affection in my opinion does not make for pleasant reading. I've now read both of Rachael's short story compilations and I've come to the conclusion that she should stick to her usual novels.

[Jacq · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved Rouseabout, and the initial story had me wandering whether to continue. What I had to remind myself was that this was a book of short stories, so the pace moves fast. Once I adapted I quickly devoured it! Swift snapshots of people, and wonderful variety with a common theme, though I'm far more wary of old ladies and pickles now... Entertaining and perfect for people too busy to concentrate on an entire novel!

[Katrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not a fan of short stories, but decided to try this one as I love the author. I was very unsure when I started this book, but did actually enjoy most of the stories. My problem with short stories is that I always want to know more about the characters and their story....so I feel like I am left hanging at times:).

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read novels by Rachael treasure before, so I thought I'd give this collection of short stories a go. I was surprised to find that they aren't all romance stories. A great collection of Australian stories about city & country, love & lust, humour & horror, cattle & cane toads, murder & magic.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

A collection of short stories based, loosely, in country Australia. I love her as an author, but found I did not enjoy most of these stories.

Although there was one or two that I enjoyed, they were over shadowed by some of the darker, sinister plots. It was a easy read, but not one I would recommend.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a little disappointing. I found that after most stories I was left wanting more. She is an awesome author and I have read her other books, this one was just a lil off. Found it easy enough to get through, but didn't enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed the others.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book to be disappointing. When I picked it up I did not realise it was short stories. The first story was great but the rest I found very cringe worthy. I love Rachael Treasure books but this one did not rate for me.

[Bec Whyte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually hate short stories but the fact that these were written by my fave author was the selling point of the book for me. I wasn't disappointed, but I didn't fall in love either. There were a few good stories and a few not so good but a great read all the same

[Jennifer Rolfe · Rating 3 out of 5]

A series of short stories set in country Australia. Some of the characters were really fantastic. Will read one of her novels now.

[Tracy · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok. Some of the stories were great others not so. Short stories really aren't my thing which probably contributed to my mediocre rating.
Usually really like this author

[Tim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Few stories seem to be a repeat of her novels

[Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

The short story about the girl with the ghost grey mare was the best of the lot. Not what I would consider the best of Rachel Treasure's work. I like her novels better.

[Jen Neville · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would have loved some of these stories to be made into full books. There were some real gems