The Tying of Threads

A Woody Creek Novel #6

by Joy Dettman

Georgie - Independent and spirited, Georgie is her mother's daughter through and through. But after a house fire both takes the life of her sister, Margot, and burns her home to the ground, Georgie is lost. She flees town with nothing but a cardboard box and the determination to be somebody,anybody, else.

Cara - After almost losing her adopted daughter, Cara's view of the world has radically shifted. She's decided that life is to be lived and love is to be cherished, even when that means crossing boundaries she'd never dreamed of. But is any love great enough to overcome an unimaginable burden of guilt and shame?

Jim - The war that's continued in Jim's head for years finally threatens to destroy him. As he becomes more and more withdrawn, Jenny becomes increasingly desperate to unearth the young man she fell in love with. But does that Jim even exist anymore, and if so, does he wish to be found?

Jenny - With her nest empty and Jim so unreachable, Jenny is more lonely than ever. Rattling around her big old house with too much time to think, she's left to wonder: should her secrets stay buried forever or will revealing the truth set her free?

Genres: Audiobook

528 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2014

About the author

Joy Dettman was born in country Victoria and spent her early years in towns on either side of the Murray River. She is an award-winning writer of short stories, the complete collection of which, Diamonds in the Mud, was published in 2007, as well as the highly acclaimed novels Mallawindy, Jacaranda Blue, Goose Girl, Yesterday's Dust, The Seventh Day, Henry's Daughter, One Sunday, Pearl in a Cage, Thorn on the Rose, Moth to the Flame and Wind in the Wires. Ripples on a Pond is Joy's fifth novel in her Woody Creek series.

Reviews

[Krisz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt like crying when this ended...'she is Jenny's tomorrow, and you and I are not going there'...
But WHY? Why can't we go there??? I can't believe it ended like this. There could be another 6 books! Oh well.
I bid you goodbye Jenny, Jim, Georgie & co. And Woody Creek.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though this was probably my least favourite of all the Woody Creek books, I still loved to see how our characters fared. However, I would have loved to hear more about Cara and Georgie rather than Sissy and Amber and all those other peripheral characters. I also struggled with half of the cast dying off as the book progressed, which I guess is the downfall of a family saga spanning over 80 years. I am so glad that there is another book and that I might get some answers to my outstanding questions.

3.5 stars

[Sharryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This afternoon I finished this book. Not just any book. The last of the Woody Creek series by Joy Dettman. Last Christmas I'd asked for the first book in the series and got it off Rhiannon on Christmas Day 2016. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd start reading that book on the way to my dads house to pick up his things to organise his funeral. I don't even know how I concentrated but I do know I just wanted to escape the horrible reality of what was happening around me and so I read. And this year I have read and read promising myself that this series, the characters and Woody Creek would get me through from one end of 2017 to the other. 6 books in the series and each one as good as the other. I'm actually a bit sad to have finished it but so grateful for these wonderful characters and their stories. Thank you Joy Dettman...you will never know just how much the Woody Creek series has meant to me this year ❤💔❤
#woodycreekseries #joydettman #greatauthor #greatseries #buryyourselfinabook

[Bettina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was really frustrating as it finished with a lot of unanswered questions. I just felt that it was too fast paced and skimmed over a lot of things. After the last two books being based around Cara's character a lot, I was really disappointed that she wasn't mentioned much in this book at all. I would have liked to read more about her and Jimmy/Morrie. I felt that the book should have been more about them and less of Amber and Sissy. Those characters just frustrate me so much. But the worst of all was Lila. Oh my God that woman is such a leech! The way she treats people is terrible. I think she got on my nerves a lot because she reminded me of a friend I once had. I think some of the stories are a little far fetched though. I mean could a 90 year old woman really murder someone the way Amber did? And how could Dino attack Georgie like that and be a taxi driver when 5 minutes before he was meant to be in a wheelchair for life? Plus, I didn't like the way the whole Jimmy (Morrie)/Jim/Jenny story line ended. After waiting for them to find each other again for the last 3 books, I just felt let down. If I had a family out there somewhere that I knew about, I think I'd be curious to want to meet them. Jenny should have told Morrie who she was, and she should have told Jim about Cara. Arghhh so frustrated!!!

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've really enjoyed this whole series especially as it's set in a small Victorian town and community. Joy Dettman really gets it and the characters seem very authentic.

[Penne Moschetti]

I didn't read past the first few chapters when i got lost in the plethora of characters and an obvious backstory. It was then I realised I was reading the final instalment of a six part series.

[Linda Westhead · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have loved this series, thought this book dragged a bit, it came home strong tho, nearly upped to 4 stars but the drawn out lead up has kept it at 3, maybe 3.5. Very happy to hear that a 7th book has been released, a few story lines that needed a bit of closure, as I have previously written, Joy Dettmann in a gifted story teller.

[Renée Soufflé · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I have mixed feelings about the conclusion of the Woody Creek series. I was unable to put it down and eager to know how it would all end and if it would all come together. I guess it did come together in the end, but not in the way I would have liked.

In the earlier books I liked the character of Cara, but during book 5 and now book 6 I find her quite patronizing and at times unbearable. In the end I also couldn't stand Jimmy/Morrie and I just couldn't accept their relationship. It was too much.

I also ended up not liking Jim either and found myself waiting for him to be killed off in the end.

I thought Georgie and her story were great and enjoyed reading every minute of it. And finally, Jenny... How I loved her. I loved her strengths, her failings and everything else. She is a fantastic character and I will be sad to say goodbye to her and Woody Creek.

Overall, a great series, well written and definitely worth the read.

[Karren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read all of these Woody Creek novels. The story is generally depressive and there are too many far fetched coincidences. Compelling reading though and I found myself having to read them. I thought the way the story ended has lent itself to the author producing more about Jenny's children, although the author ends in a declaration not to.

[Claudia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was really enjoying the Woody Creek series. ....Was looking forward to see what would the next decade would bring. Spoiler alert, they all get old and grumpy and die ...somewhat depressing and should have ended with the last book.

[Barbara Bosher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have absolutely loved this series. I didn’t want it to end yet.

[Gwen Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

So loved this series by Joy Dettman! Fabulous!

[Wendy Morton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really sad about this book. I have loved every one of the Woody Creek series except this one. It may have been because I left too big a gap between the previous one and this one but I felt the story was disjointed and that there was a rushed feeling about it as though the writer just wanted it over and done with. I felt the Cara/Jimmy story, having been so important was just glossed over and unfinished, and the writing that Jenny, Jim and Cara got into seemed like a convenient device which, to me, didn't ring true. And I hated the ending which all seemed rushed and almost as though Joy Dettman thought 'enough already'
I have been a huge fan of Joy Dettman and this is the only book of hers I've not been utterly delighted by, and that makes me sad. I hope she writes something new soon.

[Catherine James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Woweeee what a series! Book six and I guess I finished them all within a few months of beginning. Towards the end of book six, I was glad we got back to Jenny but I also felt like Jenny, Georgie and Cara all very much blurred into one. I did love the fact that most of Dettman's characters are women trying to find their way in life through mistreatment and blatant inequality and it's presented in such a matter of fact way that there is no argument as to if this is the case or not. So many secrets in one life and the books really detail well how they can get out of control.
All up, I really enjoyed these books and would recommend them to anyone as a great holiday read. You don't need to read them in order because Dettman fills in the blanks nicely in each one.

[Missy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Look, I fell in love this author when I read Mallawindy; I was SO excited to find a writer that captured Australias settlers years so beautifully. After reading this book however (the final of the Woody Creek series) I'm starting to get a bad taste in my mouth in regards to the author herself. The characters start out wonderful and full of depth and colour and then they change suddenly towards the end - like the author has given up on them...or she can't follow through on their character development because it clashes with her own personal opinions. Now that I've read a few Joy Dettman books the reoccuring themes seems to be; smoking (at least one main character smokes like a chimney AND questions the health warnings), welfare recipiants (everyone should work and the rest are dole bludgers) and 'these days vs olden days' (obv nothing compares to the good old days). It gets a little boring after a while.
I do tend to go overboard with authors however - if I find one I enjoy, I'll read the entire back catalogue before moving on! So maybe I overdosed on Joy Dettman?
If you're reading a review of the final book of a series though, I'm assuming you have either read the first books (in which case you kind of have to read the last book) or you're looking for a review of the whole series (in which case, I'll say it's definitely worth reading, just don't expect 'the tying of threads' to actually tye any loose threads). Having said that, I found the ending satisfying. I'm just not I'd read another of her books.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joy Dettman didn't write happy endings in the Woody Creek series but this conclusion does give Jen a chance at closure. The series spanned 80 years and so many characters get their wrap up in this final book. I will always love Jen & Jim but Georgie is my favourite. They all seem so real. The title couldn't be any truer.

[Barbara Helen Plumb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my what a joy (hehheh) this last installment in the Woody Creek series was. Loved the characters even the nasty ones (Sissy, Lorna) and the irritating ones (Vernon, Norman).
Did anyone else find it a little bit irritating to be constantly updated on previous happenings? does anyone find it necessary? perhaps if you are reading the books as they were published and not coming to them once they were all out there.
Joy Dettman is so readable and I wizzed through these books way too fast. Loved the way she included little historical updates.
I did miss hearing about Cara and Jimmy's life in England after they featured so prominently in the previous book.
Now what else is there to read in Ms Dettman's back catalogue?

[Kerryn Forsyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can find no other words besides "I just LOVE this series." Don't you just hate finishing a much loved book!
Thinking that this was the final in the series imagine how thrilled I was to learn that book number 7 is due for release in just a few weeks.

[Bec K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this whole series but did find this final book a little disappointing, maybe because the rest if the series was so fantastic it sort seemed like an anti-climax. Still a great book though.

[Jo :: The Country Book Nerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t want it to be over!!!!

[Natalie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to the tale of Jenny’s life, her granny, her children & her Jimmy. I feel lost that it’s ended... I could keep listening to the next generation.

[Chris Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Strggled with this one. It was rehashing the previous 5 books.

[Tanya Boulter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Must say I'm a little over this series and its getting harder to remember the characters

[Jill]

Love this series. Looking forward to the last book "Trail in the dust" which I am about to commence:) Thank Joy x

[Lisa Glanville · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was supposed to be the last in the Woody Creek series - so glad there's one more to come!

[Jennifer Hopson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit long winded

[Witarina · Rating 5 out of 5]

#6

[Sel Rou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woody Creek series. Book #6

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5* has been my least favourite but still an enjoyable read. As I’ve read them all back to back a lot of the story just seemed like repeats

[Shona · Rating 4 out of 5]

O no the last one - then what will I do,
WOW - what an awesome writer. This is such an great story, loved it all.
And the ending - WOW