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Frontier #2
Shadow of the Osprey
A riveting tale of love, death and revenge.
Soldier of fortune Michael Duffy returns to colonial Sydney on a covert mission and with old scores to settle, still enraged by a bitter feud between his family and the ruthless Macintoshes.
The Palmer River gold rush lures American prospector Luke Tracy back to Australia's rugged north country in his elusive search for riches and the great passion of his life, Kate O'Keefe.
From the boardrooms and backstreets of Sydney to the hazardous waters of the Coral Sea, the sequel to Cry of Curlew confirms the exceptional talent of master storyteller Peter Watt.
640 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2000
81 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Peter Watt
57 books120 followersPeter Watt's life experiences have included time as a soldier, articled clerk to a solicitor, prawn trawler deckhand, builder's labourer, pipe layer, real estate salesman, private investigator, police sergeant and adviser to the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary. He has lived and worked with Aborigines, Islanders, Vietnamese and Papua New Guineans.
He speaks, reads and writes Vietnamese and Pidgin - and has a reasonable grasp of the English language. He currently lives in Maclean, on the Clarence River in Northern NSW.
Good friends, fine food, fishing and the vast open spaces of outback Queensland are his main interests in life. He also enjoys SCUBA diving, military history, crosswords (but not the cryptic kind) and teaching.
He is a member of the Australian Institute of Management, the Australian Institute of Training and Development and the Australian Society of Authors.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree (University of Tasmania), Post Graduate Diploma of Training & Development (University of New England) and an Associate Diploma of Justice Administration (Sturt University).
He speaks, reads and writes Vietnamese and Pidgin - and has a reasonable grasp of the English language. He currently lives in Maclean, on the Clarence River in Northern NSW.
Good friends, fine food, fishing and the vast open spaces of outback Queensland are his main interests in life. He also enjoys SCUBA diving, military history, crosswords (but not the cryptic kind) and teaching.
He is a member of the Australian Institute of Management, the Australian Institute of Training and Development and the Australian Society of Authors.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree (University of Tasmania), Post Graduate Diploma of Training & Development (University of New England) and an Associate Diploma of Justice Administration (Sturt University).
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 19, 2019
I read the first book in this series and thought it was great. This book is even better! The characters we met in the first book are all back to pull at our heartstrings. The Australian landscape seems more real and even more harsh. It’s not a book to read in public as there will be many groans and cries of “oh no” as well as a few choice swear words. At a few tears and you have a perfect read. Now I can’t wait to read book three. Highly recommended.
October 7, 2019
Very good read. He has continued the frontier saga with no loss of pace or interest. Characters developing very well. Another reviewer described Peter Watt as being in the tradition of Wilbur Smith. This certainly true of his settings. His characterisation and storylines also remind me of a Ken Follett or Jeffrey Archer saga. I will continue with this series and see where it leads me.
June 5, 2021
A mildly entertaining read that introduces one to mid-19th century Australia. An interesting take on the clash of European and Aboriginal cultures as the European hold on the continent solidified. A study on human avarice, whether of money or lust. But the less than fulfilling treatment of some characters, especially of Wallarie, spoils the rewards toward the end.
November 30, 2021
Great Australian saga beginning in the days of the gold rush
I've been looking for a new adventure author and found this series. Its like the old west set in the NW territory of Queensland Australia. Likeable characters and hateful villans. This story was very entertaining. Looking forward to book 3
I've been looking for a new adventure author and found this series. Its like the old west set in the NW territory of Queensland Australia. Likeable characters and hateful villans. This story was very entertaining. Looking forward to book 3
March 8, 2022
Brilliant if at times quite violent Australian historical fiction. Surpasses the first book, and sets up what I'm sure will be a cracking third instalment. As has been written around the place, Peter Watt really is the Wilbur Smith of Australia. He brings the late 1800's Queensland frontier, Sydney and places in between to vivid and - dare I say - epic life.
September 19, 2020
Will the good or the bad win through
Another great story by this author hence the 5 stars. The men think they are charge but the ladies have other ideas . Which of the men will survive as the spirits are guiding them. You will have to read the book to find out.
Another great story by this author hence the 5 stars. The men think they are charge but the ladies have other ideas . Which of the men will survive as the spirits are guiding them. You will have to read the book to find out.
April 20, 2023
A very long epic of life and death, greed and treachery in 1860s colonial Sydney and rough frontier life in the goldfields and surrounding towns in far North Queensland.
Will probably follow on with the sequels one day.
Will probably follow on with the sequels one day.
April 6, 2019
Utterly brilliant
April 25, 2019
Needs to be read after Cry of the Curlew as much of the character development is in the first book of Peter Watt's Duffy/McIntosh Series
August 30, 2020
Thought the first book in the series " cry of the curlew" was great this one is great! Can't wait to read the next one
February 28, 2021
I am loving this series. If you like anything about the history of Australia or the mistreatment of the aboriginal people this is a great set of novels. Can't wait to read the next book in the series
November 6, 2021
An early Australian story with an interesting plot, plenty of action and likeable characters…a little like a saga! An enjoyable read.
June 18, 2023
Book 2 done by audio. Very good.
March 29, 2024
Good tale but characters and descriptions are unfulfilling.
April 28, 2024
It was good to reunite with the characters from cry of the curlew. I feel there was a satisfactory finish which is good as I won’t read the next in the series.
June 28, 2024
The characters keep growing in book 2 of the series as does the colonies of QLD.
Looking forward to starting book 3.
Looking forward to starting book 3.
January 1, 2025
Good read
May 2, 2024
Audiobook.
Book 2 in the series.
Book 2 in the series.
March 15, 2014
BOOK REVIEW BY JILL SMITH © May 2002
‘Shadow of the Osprey’ is a must read follow on from ‘Cry of the Curlew’. The family conflict between the Duffy and McIntosh families continues to follow the burgeoning growth of the Australian nation. The savagery of this new frontier is accompanied by espionage and diplomatic games played on the chessboard of a harsh unforgiving landscape.
As those who’ve already read and enjoyed ‘Cry of the Curlew’ will gladly agree, this book follows the growth of the characters. In many ways, the harsh reality of the world Peter has created for them, has made them ‘grow up.’
Enid McIntosh continues to hold her bitterness at her husband Douglas and eldest son Angus untimely deaths, causing an erosion of her control of the family business to Granville White, her nephew and her daughter Fiona’s husband. Her deep distrust of the young man thirsting for power is ignited into a flame of hate when she discovers her beloved son David was killed and that Granville had a hand in his demise. Fiona is no longer the naïve young girl who had fallen completely for the charismatic young Michael Duffy. She, unwittingly, has become a pawn in the game of revenge played out by Granville and his sister Penelope.
Michael Duffy hardly recognises himself and deliberately passes himself off as a Yankee mercenary. Kate, nee Duffy, has forged an independent life for herself running a bullock wagon business and supply store, where she raises her children, one her own and the other two her dead bushranger brother Tom’s half-caste son and daughter, and gains great respect and notoriety on the frontier.
There is a subtle and vital input by many of the minor characters. Morrison Mort, the former policeman and now Captain of the Osprey, continues to become more repugnant with each encounter. His military flair for combat leaves the reader wondering if he’ll ever come to grief, when it does, it is totally fitting. A big German barman known as Uncle Max, is willing to protect the junior members of the Duffy family with his life if need be. When he does this and changes the life of his charge forever. The twelve-year-old Patrick Duffy, son of Michael and Fiona, becomes another pawn in the McIntosh power struggle.
Peter is himself a very generous writer who is more than willing to speak to fellow minded people about his mass-market work. He unashamedly targets his audience and markets his work professionally, once again to be rewarded with an international selling product. I am looking forward to continuing the Duffy vs McIntosh saga in ‘Flight of the Eagle’. Please join me in being the proud owner of this family epic.
Merged review:
I have reviewed this book before, I will find it, getting a bit late in the evening/morning. Stay tuned..
‘Shadow of the Osprey’ is a must read follow on from ‘Cry of the Curlew’. The family conflict between the Duffy and McIntosh families continues to follow the burgeoning growth of the Australian nation. The savagery of this new frontier is accompanied by espionage and diplomatic games played on the chessboard of a harsh unforgiving landscape.
As those who’ve already read and enjoyed ‘Cry of the Curlew’ will gladly agree, this book follows the growth of the characters. In many ways, the harsh reality of the world Peter has created for them, has made them ‘grow up.’
Enid McIntosh continues to hold her bitterness at her husband Douglas and eldest son Angus untimely deaths, causing an erosion of her control of the family business to Granville White, her nephew and her daughter Fiona’s husband. Her deep distrust of the young man thirsting for power is ignited into a flame of hate when she discovers her beloved son David was killed and that Granville had a hand in his demise. Fiona is no longer the naïve young girl who had fallen completely for the charismatic young Michael Duffy. She, unwittingly, has become a pawn in the game of revenge played out by Granville and his sister Penelope.
Michael Duffy hardly recognises himself and deliberately passes himself off as a Yankee mercenary. Kate, nee Duffy, has forged an independent life for herself running a bullock wagon business and supply store, where she raises her children, one her own and the other two her dead bushranger brother Tom’s half-caste son and daughter, and gains great respect and notoriety on the frontier.
There is a subtle and vital input by many of the minor characters. Morrison Mort, the former policeman and now Captain of the Osprey, continues to become more repugnant with each encounter. His military flair for combat leaves the reader wondering if he’ll ever come to grief, when it does, it is totally fitting. A big German barman known as Uncle Max, is willing to protect the junior members of the Duffy family with his life if need be. When he does this and changes the life of his charge forever. The twelve-year-old Patrick Duffy, son of Michael and Fiona, becomes another pawn in the McIntosh power struggle.
Peter is himself a very generous writer who is more than willing to speak to fellow minded people about his mass-market work. He unashamedly targets his audience and markets his work professionally, once again to be rewarded with an international selling product. I am looking forward to continuing the Duffy vs McIntosh saga in ‘Flight of the Eagle’. Please join me in being the proud owner of this family epic.
Merged review:
I have reviewed this book before, I will find it, getting a bit late in the evening/morning. Stay tuned..
February 19, 2017
An enjoyable read although somewhat predictable at times. I will definitely read the next book in the series after a break.
June 19, 2016
I didn't realise when I started reading this book which was the follow up of @The Cry of the Curlew' that there were in fact several more books in this series so it may be going to cost me a lot to read them all.
I like the way Watts writes and as some have said his style is similar to Wilbur Smith's African series of books only these are set in Australia mainly.
I like the characters , some are obviously badder than bad and you would happily see them killed off quickly but that would spoil the tension. I particularly like the fact that the female characters are strong not just there to be loved and cared for!
It is a family saga involving two main families who are tied through various events to each other. There is love, hate, war and some pretty vile torture too but I am also learning soem Australian history that I was unaware of before too.
I like the way Watts writes and as some have said his style is similar to Wilbur Smith's African series of books only these are set in Australia mainly.
I like the characters , some are obviously badder than bad and you would happily see them killed off quickly but that would spoil the tension. I particularly like the fact that the female characters are strong not just there to be loved and cared for!
It is a family saga involving two main families who are tied through various events to each other. There is love, hate, war and some pretty vile torture too but I am also learning soem Australian history that I was unaware of before too.
June 13, 2011
A dime store novel of Australian Cowboys and Indians.
A veiled attempt for the author to use all the racist terms he has learned for Native Australians (Aborigines) and the Chinese.
Poorly written, the narrative switches from character to character with no warning leaving the reader wondering whose mind we are in and what view point we have.
An easy read to pass the time and hone your tastes or critique the literary arts.
A veiled attempt for the author to use all the racist terms he has learned for Native Australians (Aborigines) and the Chinese.
Poorly written, the narrative switches from character to character with no warning leaving the reader wondering whose mind we are in and what view point we have.
An easy read to pass the time and hone your tastes or critique the literary arts.
December 29, 2015
I found this book better than the first in the series. Watt writes well and keeps you on the 'edge of your seat' for most of the time. The mid-19th century Australian saga of the Duffy's and McIntosh's continue with Michael returning to Australia and soon after, adventuring on trips to the north financed by a British spy. Adventure, romance, drama and where men are real men and the women are even tougher. This volume certainly needs to be read after the first.
November 22, 2016
Excellent compelling Read
The storyline captures the imagination and leaves one breathless when departing one chapter to follow another character and left anticipating what direction the story would take when next reading the absent characters story line.
Thoroughly good which I enjoyed .
The storyline captures the imagination and leaves one breathless when departing one chapter to follow another character and left anticipating what direction the story would take when next reading the absent characters story line.
Thoroughly good which I enjoyed .
November 28, 2011
Very enjoybale read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2015
Amazing series! Highly recommend.
March 28, 2014
couldn't put it down!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews