Tarnished Threads: Australian Country Town Tales

by Rina Robinson

Tarnished Threads is the first book in Rina's Australian country tales collection. It is followed by A Lily for the Living. In this real and insightful narrative, Rina has beautifully captured rural life as she writes about the people in several nearby Australian country towns. In these pages, we follow the twists and turns of lives that intersect and flow in the community. Strangers meet. Friendships are made. Family ties are tested and relationships break down. Long hidden secrets are skilfully revealed. Even travellers just passing through leave their own mark - at times bringing resolution and sometimes conflict. Rina deftly weaves the various threads of her character’s lives to a culmination that will satisfy and surprise. With unerring clarity, Rina delights with her wit and perception as she peels back the layers of each person. She doesn’t shy away from the realities of life, but provides light and shade. On every page, we find familiarity in the deftly crafted characters – the town busybody, the hairdresser, the travelling salesman and the local women. Rina explores the depths and complexity of life with subtle humour and sharp observation, delivering an lively debut novel. This is no white-washed view of life, but includes the full gamut of the human experience; mystery, intrigue, revenge, lust and betrayal – along with unlikely bonds, comedy, devotion, love and honour. The story begins with the wedding of Marian and Ivor in the northern suburbs of Sydney. Naive and hopeful, Marian embarks on married life. Not all goes to plan and she finds herself seeking refuge in a small country town. The peace she desires is elusive as she is drawn into the lives of others. Will she ever be free of the past?

164 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2011