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Morgan's Law
When Sarah Murphy returns to Australia she desperately needs a break from her high-powered London life. And though mystified by her grandmother's dying wish for her ashes to be scattered under 'the wishing tree' on the banks of the Negallan River, she sets out to do just that.While searching for the wishing tree, Sarah stays in the small township of Negallan. It's there that she finally has some time to relax and unwind, there that she finds herself drawn to a handsome local farmer, and there that she discovers her enquiries about her grandmother are causing disquiet within the powerful local Morgan family.Will the Morgans prevent Sarah from discovering the truth about her grandmother? And should she risk her glittering career in the UK for a simpler existence in the country, and the possibility of true love?By the bestselling author of North Star, Morgan's Law takes you on a compelling journey into a young woman's hopes and dreams.
330 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 26, 2012
24 people are currently reading
422 people want to read
About the author
Karly Lane
34 books373 followersKarly Lane lives on the beautiful Mid North Coast of NSW in Australia. A certified small town girl, she is most happy in a little town where everyone knows who your grand parents were. She writes women’s fiction – everything from romantic suspense to family sagas and life in rural Australia. She has romantic suspense titles published under Karlene Blakemore-Mowle and her latest release, Third Time Lucky is available now.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
November 17, 2014
For the last ten years, Sarah Murphy has been working extremely hard as an account executive at BrandI & McBride a leading London based advertising agency. Sarah loves all aspects of her job from insane deadlines to the long hours. Six months ago
Sarah's Gran passed away and it wasn't until then that, Sarah realised just how little she had seen her Gran. Life had been passing her by far too quickly and after finding, Giles the man she had been seeing for the last few years in bed with another woman, Sarah knew it was time to get away.
Sarah decides to take some time off from her job and fulfil her Gran's final wish which was for, Sarah to take her ashes to Negallan and scatter them beneath the wishing tree on the banks of the Negallan River. Once Sarah arrives in Negallan she books into the local pub the only place that has any accommodation in the area. Tash the woman working behind the bar takes Sarah's details and shows her to her room. After freshening up, Sarah decides to go and talk to some of the locals in hope of finding out a bit more about her Gran and where to find the wishing tree. But what happens next has, Sarah totally confused as it seems no one has heard or knew of her Gran. The more questions she asked it seemed the less answers she got. Sarah was starting to have doubts and questions of her own as to who her Gran really was and just what secrets she had been hiding. Will Sarah find out the truth about her Gran? And will Sarah be able to find the wishing tree and carry out her Gran's final wish?
This was a remarkable story of romance, mystery and family that I absolutely loved. In this story we the reader get an insight and a better understanding to the hardships that rural families are faced with on a daily basis. It's not hard to see when you read, Karly Lane's books that she has a true passion for rural Australia. A truly talented Aussie author who has become one of my favourite authors. A very entertaining and compelling read and one in which I have no hesitation in HIGHLY recommending.
Sarah's Gran passed away and it wasn't until then that, Sarah realised just how little she had seen her Gran. Life had been passing her by far too quickly and after finding, Giles the man she had been seeing for the last few years in bed with another woman, Sarah knew it was time to get away.
Sarah decides to take some time off from her job and fulfil her Gran's final wish which was for, Sarah to take her ashes to Negallan and scatter them beneath the wishing tree on the banks of the Negallan River. Once Sarah arrives in Negallan she books into the local pub the only place that has any accommodation in the area. Tash the woman working behind the bar takes Sarah's details and shows her to her room. After freshening up, Sarah decides to go and talk to some of the locals in hope of finding out a bit more about her Gran and where to find the wishing tree. But what happens next has, Sarah totally confused as it seems no one has heard or knew of her Gran. The more questions she asked it seemed the less answers she got. Sarah was starting to have doubts and questions of her own as to who her Gran really was and just what secrets she had been hiding. Will Sarah find out the truth about her Gran? And will Sarah be able to find the wishing tree and carry out her Gran's final wish?
This was a remarkable story of romance, mystery and family that I absolutely loved. In this story we the reader get an insight and a better understanding to the hardships that rural families are faced with on a daily basis. It's not hard to see when you read, Karly Lane's books that she has a true passion for rural Australia. A truly talented Aussie author who has become one of my favourite authors. A very entertaining and compelling read and one in which I have no hesitation in HIGHLY recommending.
July 30, 2013
Sarah Murphy had spent the last ten years of her life living and working in London. She was a high-powered executive living on adrenalin and the thrill of the job. But when her beloved Gran passed away in Sydney, she was filled with remorse, realizing she had seen very little of her; her career had been all she could concentrate on, to the detriment of her family.
The night she returned home from work early to find Giles, the man she had been seeing for two years, and living with for one, in their bed with another woman, she decided to take compassionate leave and head home to Australia. She needed to take stock of her life – she wasn’t getting any younger, plus her Gran had left some instructions for her in the will.
The wishes of her Gran for her ashes to be scattered at ‘the wishing tree’ on the banks of the river in a little place in Queensland called Negallen saw Sarah doing the long, tiring drive in her BMW convertible. But putting her car into a ditch avoiding a mob of cattle and almost getting herself killed definitely wasn’t part of the deal…
When Sarah finally arrived in the only accommodation in town, the local pub, she was surprised to see a young woman behind the bar. Tash was looking after things and had her settled in a lovely room in no time. But at this point, Sarah’s life took an unexpected turn. Suddenly there were secrets which no-one seemed willing to talk about – no-one remembered her Gran, the locals wouldn’t look her in the eye. What was going on? Sarah had imagined finding the wishing tree, scattering Gran’s ashes and heading back to Sydney after two days at the most.
The Morgan family, powerful and long-standing members of the community were anxious to see Sarah gone from Negallen. But she was determined to do as her Gran had asked, and with her attraction to a handsome and rugged, but volatile local farmer stirring her senses, and her friendship and desire to help Tash also pulling at her, Sarah wasn’t sure where to turn. What would happen? Would Sarah ever find the wishing tree? And would she find out who her Gran really was?
I loved this book! I read it in one day unable to put it down until I reached the final page. The mystery was intriguing, and the problems of a small town in rural Queensland were familiar and heart-breaking. Australian author Karly Lane has a wonderful storytelling ability, and this is another book of hers I highly recommend.
The night she returned home from work early to find Giles, the man she had been seeing for two years, and living with for one, in their bed with another woman, she decided to take compassionate leave and head home to Australia. She needed to take stock of her life – she wasn’t getting any younger, plus her Gran had left some instructions for her in the will.
The wishes of her Gran for her ashes to be scattered at ‘the wishing tree’ on the banks of the river in a little place in Queensland called Negallen saw Sarah doing the long, tiring drive in her BMW convertible. But putting her car into a ditch avoiding a mob of cattle and almost getting herself killed definitely wasn’t part of the deal…
When Sarah finally arrived in the only accommodation in town, the local pub, she was surprised to see a young woman behind the bar. Tash was looking after things and had her settled in a lovely room in no time. But at this point, Sarah’s life took an unexpected turn. Suddenly there were secrets which no-one seemed willing to talk about – no-one remembered her Gran, the locals wouldn’t look her in the eye. What was going on? Sarah had imagined finding the wishing tree, scattering Gran’s ashes and heading back to Sydney after two days at the most.
The Morgan family, powerful and long-standing members of the community were anxious to see Sarah gone from Negallen. But she was determined to do as her Gran had asked, and with her attraction to a handsome and rugged, but volatile local farmer stirring her senses, and her friendship and desire to help Tash also pulling at her, Sarah wasn’t sure where to turn. What would happen? Would Sarah ever find the wishing tree? And would she find out who her Gran really was?
I loved this book! I read it in one day unable to put it down until I reached the final page. The mystery was intriguing, and the problems of a small town in rural Queensland were familiar and heart-breaking. Australian author Karly Lane has a wonderful storytelling ability, and this is another book of hers I highly recommend.
January 30, 2017
MORGAN’S LAW by Karly Lane is a contemporary romance set in rural Australia. UK based successful Sarah Murphy is honor bound to complete her beloved grandmothers last request. That journey back to the farm and ranch lands of modern day Australia uncovers long buried secrets, loves and family conflicts that fuel new conflicts and . . . yes, new love. Ms. Lane builds a compelling narrative complete with lively characters that capture the reader and transport them to the small farming community of Negallan . . . and ultimately to “the wishing tree” along the banks of the Negallan River. Pacing and dialogue are well developed and produce a real page turner. Congratulations to a wonderful author, Karly Lane.
May 1, 2012
4.5 stars
Six months after the death of her grandmother, Sarah returns to Australia from London to fulfil her last wishes of her ashes being scattered under the ‘wishing tree’ in her hometown, Negallan. Sarah is a high-achieving, successful career-woman who feels completely out of her depths in this sleepy, close-knit town where she sorely stands out- and not just because she drives a BMW!
Sarah befriends the local bartender Tash and catches the eye of Adam Buchanan; the hunky local cowboy who is completely different to the well-groomed immaculately dressed cheating ex-boyfriend Giles, who she left behind in London.
Determined to locate the wishing tree, scatter the ashes and get back to civilisation as soon as possible, Sarah realises that her journey to the outback will not be as simple as that. There are undercurrents that ground her there and motivate her to find out that her grandmother really was and what happened to her all those years ago to become estranged from her family as a teenager and never look back. Sarah uncovers a whole bunch of relatives she had never even heard of and in doing so creates tension in the town who feel she has ulterior motives for being there.
A quick two day trip lasts several weeks and Sarah finds herself revelling in the peace and quiet, slowing down her life and getting back to basics. Adam Buchanan is a tempting outlet and their chemistry sizzles throughout the story. I liked that Sarah is a strong woman who grows to love the rural community but will not settle for being a farmer’s wife without some real direction. I think this is what made her conflicts about pursuing a relationship with Adam quite realistic. Her driven personality would not have survived in that town without a career to keep her occupied. Ultimately, she is scared of the sacrifices she would have to make if she decides that Adam is worthy of a chance.
I especially loved Adam. He is cheeky, direct and wears his heart on his sleeve. He is blown away by Sarah the moment he lays eyes on her and I quite enjoyed their banter as it was evident that she not only annoyed the hell out of him but she also really hit a soft spot too. But Sarah’s stubborn nature and her fears of succumbing to love threaten their relationship before it even gets started.
I loved the complimentary characters brought to life in Morgan’s law as well as the secondary characters and sub-plots weaved throughout as it brought a real community atmosphere to the small rural town of Negallan. Sarah was a likeable, strong character who struggled to solidify her identity and find out where home really was. Adam was vulnerable and enticing and I really empathised for him when it was time for her to leave. I loved this story, but the only reason I haven’t given it 5 stars is because of the last part of the story which extended over nearly a year. I felt this was too long and a bit unfair on Adam, I honestly don’t know why Sarah couldn’t have just called him. I think she called herself a coward at one stage and I completely agreed with that. But in the end I was satisfied with how things all worked out, it was just tough to sit with that discomfort because I so badly wanted Adam and Sarah to work things out.
This is the second book released by Karly Lane this year which I have read and I must say I truly enjoy her work. She quite skilfully crafts interesting, real and engaging characters against a beautiful Australian setting and interweaves it with suspense, family secrets and personal struggles. Morgan’s Law is a fantastic read!
Six months after the death of her grandmother, Sarah returns to Australia from London to fulfil her last wishes of her ashes being scattered under the ‘wishing tree’ in her hometown, Negallan. Sarah is a high-achieving, successful career-woman who feels completely out of her depths in this sleepy, close-knit town where she sorely stands out- and not just because she drives a BMW!
Sarah befriends the local bartender Tash and catches the eye of Adam Buchanan; the hunky local cowboy who is completely different to the well-groomed immaculately dressed cheating ex-boyfriend Giles, who she left behind in London.
Determined to locate the wishing tree, scatter the ashes and get back to civilisation as soon as possible, Sarah realises that her journey to the outback will not be as simple as that. There are undercurrents that ground her there and motivate her to find out that her grandmother really was and what happened to her all those years ago to become estranged from her family as a teenager and never look back. Sarah uncovers a whole bunch of relatives she had never even heard of and in doing so creates tension in the town who feel she has ulterior motives for being there.
A quick two day trip lasts several weeks and Sarah finds herself revelling in the peace and quiet, slowing down her life and getting back to basics. Adam Buchanan is a tempting outlet and their chemistry sizzles throughout the story. I liked that Sarah is a strong woman who grows to love the rural community but will not settle for being a farmer’s wife without some real direction. I think this is what made her conflicts about pursuing a relationship with Adam quite realistic. Her driven personality would not have survived in that town without a career to keep her occupied. Ultimately, she is scared of the sacrifices she would have to make if she decides that Adam is worthy of a chance.
I especially loved Adam. He is cheeky, direct and wears his heart on his sleeve. He is blown away by Sarah the moment he lays eyes on her and I quite enjoyed their banter as it was evident that she not only annoyed the hell out of him but she also really hit a soft spot too. But Sarah’s stubborn nature and her fears of succumbing to love threaten their relationship before it even gets started.
I loved the complimentary characters brought to life in Morgan’s law as well as the secondary characters and sub-plots weaved throughout as it brought a real community atmosphere to the small rural town of Negallan. Sarah was a likeable, strong character who struggled to solidify her identity and find out where home really was. Adam was vulnerable and enticing and I really empathised for him when it was time for her to leave. I loved this story, but the only reason I haven’t given it 5 stars is because of the last part of the story which extended over nearly a year. I felt this was too long and a bit unfair on Adam, I honestly don’t know why Sarah couldn’t have just called him. I think she called herself a coward at one stage and I completely agreed with that. But in the end I was satisfied with how things all worked out, it was just tough to sit with that discomfort because I so badly wanted Adam and Sarah to work things out.
This is the second book released by Karly Lane this year which I have read and I must say I truly enjoy her work. She quite skilfully crafts interesting, real and engaging characters against a beautiful Australian setting and interweaves it with suspense, family secrets and personal struggles. Morgan’s Law is a fantastic read!
November 17, 2017
Morgan's Law is a lovely romantic suspense story about a young woman fulfilling her grandmother's final wish. After finding her boyfriend in bed with someone else, Sarah Murphy decided to came back to Australia to meet her grandmother's last request to be buried under a tree in a small rural community of Negallan. Sarah thought that it would be easy to fulfil grandmothers request. However, this was not the case, and Sarah got more then she bargained for when coming to Negallan. The readers of Morgan's Law will continue to follow Sarah quest to find this particular tree and see if Sarah find romance again.
I love reading Morgan's Law. Karly Lane knows how to provide the twist and turns in her plots that engaged me from the first page. The way Karly Lane portrayed her characters ensure that her readings fall in love with them especially Sarah and Adam. I like Karly Lane writing style and the way Karly describes her settings.
The readers of Morgan's Law will learn about families violence and the consequences it has for everyone involved. Also, the readers of Morgan's Law will see that to save a small rural community you need everyone involved not one or two. Karly Lane also highlights in Morgan's Law the importance to keep an eye on your family and friends because you never know when depression can hit someone.
I recommend this book.
I love reading Morgan's Law. Karly Lane knows how to provide the twist and turns in her plots that engaged me from the first page. The way Karly Lane portrayed her characters ensure that her readings fall in love with them especially Sarah and Adam. I like Karly Lane writing style and the way Karly describes her settings.
The readers of Morgan's Law will learn about families violence and the consequences it has for everyone involved. Also, the readers of Morgan's Law will see that to save a small rural community you need everyone involved not one or two. Karly Lane also highlights in Morgan's Law the importance to keep an eye on your family and friends because you never know when depression can hit someone.
I recommend this book.
January 4, 2020
4.5 ★s
Well written, thoroughly enjoyable Aussie rural romance, but with meaningful sub plots.
A great holiday read.
Well written, thoroughly enjoyable Aussie rural romance, but with meaningful sub plots.
A great holiday read.
April 8, 2017
An easy to read rural romance with a bit of a mystery thrown in.
May 1, 2012
Karly Lane's debut novel, North Star was nominated as a People's Choice finalist by the Australian Romance Readers Association and chosen as one of the fifty books for Australia's annual Get Reading Campaign in 2011. As a writer of the increasingly popular genre affectionately known as 'chook lit' Morgan's Law, Lane's second book, is sure to be greeted with deserved enthusiasm.
Morgan's Law is a story of self discovery, family roots, romance, mystery and rural life. Sarah Murphy can't imagine what ties her grandmother had to a dying farming community like Negallan but takes some time off from her high powered, London based career in advertising to carry out her beloved grandmothers last wishes, to scatter her ashes beneath the Wishing Tree on the Negallan River. Sarah anticipates only an overnight stay in Negallan, she certainly doesn't intend to share a bathroom for long, but her plan is thwarted when a broken water pump leaves her stranded in the town for a few weeks. As Sarah searches for the Wishing Tree, and some answers about her Gran's mysterious past, she is surprised to find herself warming not only to the battling community, but also handsome local farmer, Adam Buchanan. Yet Sarah can't imagine the dusty, failing town of Nagellan could ever become 'home' and when her dream job beckons she makes a difficult choice, will it be the right one?
There is a depth to Morgan's Law that I wasn't really expecting and very much enjoyed. The main plot concerns Sarah's discovery of what she really wants from her life, whether her high pressure career is worth all the things she has to give up to maintain it, which is a valid question for many women today. I found Sarah very likeable and her conflicts believable. Her difficult relationship with her mother added texture to her personality as does the sudden appearance of her ex-boyfriend and occasional communication with her colleagues in London.
Two mysteries create subplots, one having to do with the identity of Sarah's Gran, the other is raised later in the novel when Sarah unwittingly stumbles upon a clandestine meeting in the bush. Both add just the right touch of intrigue to the story.
Underpinning the story arcs is a sensitive portrayal of the social issues such as depression, suicide, elitism and financial hardship that affect rural communities. Lane's fictional town is representative of many regional areas that are under pressure but fighting with admirable spirit to stay alive. The township of Nagellan has a personality of it's own in this novel and I found myself with as many hopes for it as I had for it's characters.
The romantic element of Morgan's Law is well handled, the attraction between Sarah and Adam has some time to smoulder before it ignites and when it does, it is believable. While Adam is sure about what he wants, Sarah is less so and the ambivalence creates just enough conflict to keep things interesting without overwhelming the plot.
The pacing is good, I was reluctant to put down Morgan's Law once I had started reading. **possible spoiler**I did think though that Sarah's sixteen month absence was a bit of a stretch though.
I like Lane's writing style and the dialogue is a real strength with some great lines that showcase Lane's laconic sense of humour. I even made a note of my favourite, which is something I rarely do, so I think it deserves a mention. In this scene Sarah is speaking with Adam about her ex boyfriend.
"...when you think a guy is some knight in shining armour, he ends up being a moron in tinfoil." (p84)
Morgan's Law is an entertaining and engaging read with wide appeal and topical relevance. The author proves herself as an accomplished storyteller with Morgan's law and I expect that Karly Lane has a bestseller on her hands.
Morgan's Law is a story of self discovery, family roots, romance, mystery and rural life. Sarah Murphy can't imagine what ties her grandmother had to a dying farming community like Negallan but takes some time off from her high powered, London based career in advertising to carry out her beloved grandmothers last wishes, to scatter her ashes beneath the Wishing Tree on the Negallan River. Sarah anticipates only an overnight stay in Negallan, she certainly doesn't intend to share a bathroom for long, but her plan is thwarted when a broken water pump leaves her stranded in the town for a few weeks. As Sarah searches for the Wishing Tree, and some answers about her Gran's mysterious past, she is surprised to find herself warming not only to the battling community, but also handsome local farmer, Adam Buchanan. Yet Sarah can't imagine the dusty, failing town of Nagellan could ever become 'home' and when her dream job beckons she makes a difficult choice, will it be the right one?
There is a depth to Morgan's Law that I wasn't really expecting and very much enjoyed. The main plot concerns Sarah's discovery of what she really wants from her life, whether her high pressure career is worth all the things she has to give up to maintain it, which is a valid question for many women today. I found Sarah very likeable and her conflicts believable. Her difficult relationship with her mother added texture to her personality as does the sudden appearance of her ex-boyfriend and occasional communication with her colleagues in London.
Two mysteries create subplots, one having to do with the identity of Sarah's Gran, the other is raised later in the novel when Sarah unwittingly stumbles upon a clandestine meeting in the bush. Both add just the right touch of intrigue to the story.
Underpinning the story arcs is a sensitive portrayal of the social issues such as depression, suicide, elitism and financial hardship that affect rural communities. Lane's fictional town is representative of many regional areas that are under pressure but fighting with admirable spirit to stay alive. The township of Nagellan has a personality of it's own in this novel and I found myself with as many hopes for it as I had for it's characters.
The romantic element of Morgan's Law is well handled, the attraction between Sarah and Adam has some time to smoulder before it ignites and when it does, it is believable. While Adam is sure about what he wants, Sarah is less so and the ambivalence creates just enough conflict to keep things interesting without overwhelming the plot.
The pacing is good, I was reluctant to put down Morgan's Law once I had started reading. **possible spoiler**I did think though that Sarah's sixteen month absence was a bit of a stretch though.
I like Lane's writing style and the dialogue is a real strength with some great lines that showcase Lane's laconic sense of humour. I even made a note of my favourite, which is something I rarely do, so I think it deserves a mention. In this scene Sarah is speaking with Adam about her ex boyfriend.
"...when you think a guy is some knight in shining armour, he ends up being a moron in tinfoil." (p84)
Morgan's Law is an entertaining and engaging read with wide appeal and topical relevance. The author proves herself as an accomplished storyteller with Morgan's law and I expect that Karly Lane has a bestseller on her hands.
July 21, 2012
A very enjoyable and easy read mixed with mystery that kept me turning the pages until the end. Rural suicide is a big issue in our country. So, very appropriate that it was one of the themes in this book.
April 28, 2016
Loved it :)
January 7, 2016
I enjoyed this work of Australian fiction. Intriguing. Well written and pieced together.
February 22, 2021
Recently, I've became a rural fiction/romance fan. And Karly Lane is an author that kept popping up in my reading circles. I knew I had to try one of her novels- and I'm delighted to report that I have!
Sarah Murphy has been living in London for the past ten years. However, when her beloved grandmother passed away, Sarah was sent on a mission. To travel to the small county town of Negallan, to scatter her grandmother's ashes underneath the 'wishing tree'.
Upon arrival, Sarah is shocked to discover that her grandmother had grown up in the town, and furthermore had surviving family living in the area. However, the Morgan's don't really want to welcome their new found family member with open arms...
As Sarah immerses herself in the community, she soon discovers that she is at peace for the first time in years. She came to Negallan to find answers, but she may also find her real self as well.
𝑴𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒂𝒏'𝒔 𝑳𝒂𝒘 is a quite heartfelt read which also highlights the importance of our farmers mental state. This issue was handled delicately with a lot of care. The real star is the sense of community in this book- it's a very Aussie thing to pull together in times of need, particularly rural towns doing it tough.
This won't be my last Karly Lane read!!
4.5 stars
Sarah Murphy has been living in London for the past ten years. However, when her beloved grandmother passed away, Sarah was sent on a mission. To travel to the small county town of Negallan, to scatter her grandmother's ashes underneath the 'wishing tree'.
Upon arrival, Sarah is shocked to discover that her grandmother had grown up in the town, and furthermore had surviving family living in the area. However, the Morgan's don't really want to welcome their new found family member with open arms...
As Sarah immerses herself in the community, she soon discovers that she is at peace for the first time in years. She came to Negallan to find answers, but she may also find her real self as well.
𝑴𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒂𝒏'𝒔 𝑳𝒂𝒘 is a quite heartfelt read which also highlights the importance of our farmers mental state. This issue was handled delicately with a lot of care. The real star is the sense of community in this book- it's a very Aussie thing to pull together in times of need, particularly rural towns doing it tough.
This won't be my last Karly Lane read!!
4.5 stars
July 11, 2021
Wow, wow and wow again! If I could I would rate this book a 10 out of 10 stars, I would!
Karly Lane's, 'Morgan's Law', is just outstanding from start to finish and what a page turner it was! I couldn't read fast enough to find out what was happening next...
Sarah's quest to solve her grandmother's final wish was spellbinding - who would've thought that there was a mystery behind it all? Did Sarah really know her grandmother when there were so many unresolved questions about the old woman's past? Finding the need to delve further, Sarah gets a few people in the community of Negallan's backs up, as she searches for the answers... And why does the handsome Adam keep having to rescue her?
Karly Lane's, 'Morgan's Law', is just outstanding from start to finish and what a page turner it was! I couldn't read fast enough to find out what was happening next...
Sarah's quest to solve her grandmother's final wish was spellbinding - who would've thought that there was a mystery behind it all? Did Sarah really know her grandmother when there were so many unresolved questions about the old woman's past? Finding the need to delve further, Sarah gets a few people in the community of Negallan's backs up, as she searches for the answers... And why does the handsome Adam keep having to rescue her?
May 21, 2018
For the past decade, Sarah Murphy has been building a life for her in advertising in London. After the death of her Gran, she is left a note asking her to scatter her ashes under the wishing tree in Negallen. With only a hand drawn map, Sarah embarks on a journey to do exactly that.
Her arrival turns the town upside down, especially for the Morgan family.
This was a great, fun story. Sarah was a likeable character. The twists and turns of her discoveries were entertaining and unpredictable.
Highly recommended.
Her arrival turns the town upside down, especially for the Morgan family.
This was a great, fun story. Sarah was a likeable character. The twists and turns of her discoveries were entertaining and unpredictable.
Highly recommended.
September 8, 2025
When Sarah Murphy returns to Australia she badly needs a break from her high-piwered job in London.Her grandmother who she was close to has died and wants Sarah to scatter her Ashes under the wishing tree at Negallan.
While searching for the Wishing Tree, she find herself getting caught up in the town. She finds out things her grandmother has kept secret and the Morgan family feels she's stirring up trouble. She's finds herself drawn to a local farmer, though she's torn between staying and going back to her job in London that she loves
While searching for the Wishing Tree, she find herself getting caught up in the town. She finds out things her grandmother has kept secret and the Morgan family feels she's stirring up trouble. She's finds herself drawn to a local farmer, though she's torn between staying and going back to her job in London that she loves
March 11, 2024
Not really that good at reviewing so this is very simple. I really enjoyed this book. Very easy to read with likeable characters. Smokin' in parts! Good storyline and loved the country town setting. Definitely one of the best Australian romances I've read so far. Will definitely read more of Karly Lane's books.
April 9, 2024
I am an unashamed Karly Lane fan and this didn't disappointed. It was absolutely lovely. Written in 2012 but one I haven't caught up with until now. The story is believable, beautifully written, sensitive and with characters who are real. Family secrets with far reaching consequences leading eventually to a beautiful and satisfying ending. A truly beautiful book.
April 30, 2024
Enjoyable story set in rural Australia. A grans wish to have her ashes scattered in a remote own, sees her granddaughter uncover a hidden past. The final few pages tied up the story very fast. There were some bits that seemed superfluous to the story.
Don’t understand the title of the book.
Don’t understand the title of the book.
May 28, 2012
Sarah Murphy has returned to Australia in order to fulfill the wishes of her late and beloved grandmother, who wishes her ashes to be scattered under the ‘Wishing tree’ in a tiny town called Negallan, along the Negallan River. So Sarah flies back to Sydney from London, hires a car and sets out driving up to Negallen.
Upon arriving into town, it becomes obvious that this isn’t going to be quite as easy as she had first assumed. Her visions of driving into town, finding the tree and scattering the ashes and then turning around and driving out of town are dashed when she realises that no one in the town has any knowledge of her grandmother and the location of the mysterious wishing tree isn’t easily discovered either.
Sarah takes a room at the local pub and strikes up a friendship with Tash, the publican. Despite the fact that her inquiries don’t seem to be going anywhere at the moment, Sarah finds herself slowly relaxing in the small town, away from the pressures and stress of London and her high-profile job. She enjoys good food and the small-town atmosphere as she tries to find out some information about her grandmother. It turns out that someone does recognise her but Sarah is surprised to find that after all these years, her grandmother seems to have been hiding some very important secrets. Determined now to get to the bottom of everything, despite the warnings of the handsome local farmer to leave some things be, she sets out to solve the mystery so she can finally lay her grandmother to rest.
Morgan’s Law is another recent ‘rural lit’ release and, as I discovered, was the perfect read for a chilly winter’s night snuggled under a blanket. Sarah Murphy is an Australian who has been living in London for the past 10 years working her way up the chain in advertising. She’s got the minimalist apartment, the aversion to meat and carbs and a high powered career that has her thriving in the overseas city. Called back to Australia after the death of her grandmother and charged with carrying out her last wishes, Sarah finds out that some of the simplest pleasures have been totally passing her by. Negallen is a quiet farming town that is slowly dying since the closure of the cotton gin some years ago. It became too expensive to freight the cotton further for cleaning/sorting/etc so some farmers sold up and left. Some changed to grain or cattle. And some chose other ways out.
Morgan’s Law might be a story of friendship, farming and family but it also embraces a serious issue and one that rural Australian communities face – suicide. In the novel a character’s brother commits suicide after running into financial difficulty and there is frustration expressed at trying to get these country, proud men to doctors or counsellors for support when life on the land does become tough and depressing. The crippling droughts our country experiences, often broken by flooding rains that ruin crops leads to many farmers experiencing such phenomenal debt and a feeling of failure that some of them do feel that sometimes, that can be their only way out. There’s an emphasis in this novel on the need for better government and social support, somewhere that people can go for help without feeling uncomfortable.
This novel had so many threads that wove together to create this story and each of them were highly enjoyable. Sarah’s quest to find the truth about her grandmother and what she had to do with the powerful local Morgan family, as well as her blossoming romance with local farmer Adam, the fact that Negallan is dying as a town and that something needs to be done by the residents in order to resurrect that. I think that part of the story might’ve been one of my favourites, because of the idea of the community saving itself. I really enjoyed reading about how the idea itself came about and the local who took it and ran with it, working tirelessly to try and save the town despite some very vocal opposition from some of the residents. I also enjoyed the scene with the frog (which those who have read will recognise but that I won’t spoil for those who have not), it made me laugh so hard because I could picture myself and my reaction in a similar situation. It was one of the nice touches of added humour that really helped flesh out this book and its characters.
If you’re looking for one of those warm, comforting reads but that also addresses serious and genuine issues, then I can highly recommend this book. There’s romance and friendship, adversity and hardship but also success and a community coming together to really try and prevent the downward slide that so many rural areas seem to be facing these days. Such an enjoyable book – I think I raced through it in about two hours!
Morgan’s Law is, I think, the second book Karly has written under this name – she also writes romances under the name of Karlene Blakemore-Mowle. I have her first novel as Karly Lane, North Star on my Kindle to read and I am saving that for when I go away in July for 2wks as I’ll only be taking my Kindle and absolutely no print books and I’m definitely looking forward to the day when I can read it!
Upon arriving into town, it becomes obvious that this isn’t going to be quite as easy as she had first assumed. Her visions of driving into town, finding the tree and scattering the ashes and then turning around and driving out of town are dashed when she realises that no one in the town has any knowledge of her grandmother and the location of the mysterious wishing tree isn’t easily discovered either.
Sarah takes a room at the local pub and strikes up a friendship with Tash, the publican. Despite the fact that her inquiries don’t seem to be going anywhere at the moment, Sarah finds herself slowly relaxing in the small town, away from the pressures and stress of London and her high-profile job. She enjoys good food and the small-town atmosphere as she tries to find out some information about her grandmother. It turns out that someone does recognise her but Sarah is surprised to find that after all these years, her grandmother seems to have been hiding some very important secrets. Determined now to get to the bottom of everything, despite the warnings of the handsome local farmer to leave some things be, she sets out to solve the mystery so she can finally lay her grandmother to rest.
Morgan’s Law is another recent ‘rural lit’ release and, as I discovered, was the perfect read for a chilly winter’s night snuggled under a blanket. Sarah Murphy is an Australian who has been living in London for the past 10 years working her way up the chain in advertising. She’s got the minimalist apartment, the aversion to meat and carbs and a high powered career that has her thriving in the overseas city. Called back to Australia after the death of her grandmother and charged with carrying out her last wishes, Sarah finds out that some of the simplest pleasures have been totally passing her by. Negallen is a quiet farming town that is slowly dying since the closure of the cotton gin some years ago. It became too expensive to freight the cotton further for cleaning/sorting/etc so some farmers sold up and left. Some changed to grain or cattle. And some chose other ways out.
Morgan’s Law might be a story of friendship, farming and family but it also embraces a serious issue and one that rural Australian communities face – suicide. In the novel a character’s brother commits suicide after running into financial difficulty and there is frustration expressed at trying to get these country, proud men to doctors or counsellors for support when life on the land does become tough and depressing. The crippling droughts our country experiences, often broken by flooding rains that ruin crops leads to many farmers experiencing such phenomenal debt and a feeling of failure that some of them do feel that sometimes, that can be their only way out. There’s an emphasis in this novel on the need for better government and social support, somewhere that people can go for help without feeling uncomfortable.
This novel had so many threads that wove together to create this story and each of them were highly enjoyable. Sarah’s quest to find the truth about her grandmother and what she had to do with the powerful local Morgan family, as well as her blossoming romance with local farmer Adam, the fact that Negallan is dying as a town and that something needs to be done by the residents in order to resurrect that. I think that part of the story might’ve been one of my favourites, because of the idea of the community saving itself. I really enjoyed reading about how the idea itself came about and the local who took it and ran with it, working tirelessly to try and save the town despite some very vocal opposition from some of the residents. I also enjoyed the scene with the frog (which those who have read will recognise but that I won’t spoil for those who have not), it made me laugh so hard because I could picture myself and my reaction in a similar situation. It was one of the nice touches of added humour that really helped flesh out this book and its characters.
If you’re looking for one of those warm, comforting reads but that also addresses serious and genuine issues, then I can highly recommend this book. There’s romance and friendship, adversity and hardship but also success and a community coming together to really try and prevent the downward slide that so many rural areas seem to be facing these days. Such an enjoyable book – I think I raced through it in about two hours!
Morgan’s Law is, I think, the second book Karly has written under this name – she also writes romances under the name of Karlene Blakemore-Mowle. I have her first novel as Karly Lane, North Star on my Kindle to read and I am saving that for when I go away in July for 2wks as I’ll only be taking my Kindle and absolutely no print books and I’m definitely looking forward to the day when I can read it!
July 21, 2018
I am enjoying catching up with a couple of Karly's earlier books.
February 9, 2019
My first book by this author, quite enjoyable.
March 2, 2019
Just a nice easy read. Does draw attention to some good rural issues that need addressing to!
March 24, 2019
67% dnf
Predictable, repetitive, insta lust. I'm bored. I don't care.
Predictable, repetitive, insta lust. I'm bored. I don't care.
August 19, 2019
Absolutely loved it and couldn't put it down.
July 28, 2020
A great read, Karly creates characters we can relate to and places many of us would like to check out.
December 30, 2020
I loved this book! Sarah left her high paying, stressful job in London to go to a small town in Australia to fulfill her grandmother's last request. What happens from there holds many surprises as she unravels her grandmother's story. Read it in 2 sittings. Hard to put down.
July 2, 2022
Really easy read, nice story with twists but it all makes sense in the end
February 1, 2025
Morgan's Law is such an enjoyable read. A romance and mystery set in outback Australia with memorable characters that tell of some of the hardships that rural communities face.
Read
March 3, 2025Solid rural romance from the talented Karly Lane. Plot twists and likeable characters make this an easy read.
September 30, 2025
just started reading Karly lane books and I'm hooked
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