What do you think?
Rate this book
The Night on the Darling River
Amid the rising flood waters and shearers' strike violence, can one brave woman reclaim her future? From an Australian bestselling author comes a riveting historical adventure about one woman's journey from a life of isolation to one of love and acceptance.
1894, Echuca, Victoria
Tess Hawthorn is a woman on the run from her abusive husband. All she has to do is get on the riverboat Victor and she will be free.
But with tensions at an all-time high between unionist shearers and Scabs, Tess isn't the only person trying to board a boat under the cover of night. When a brawl erupts between the union and non-union men, Tess is mistaken for a fellow Scab and in the chaos pulled aboard the PS Rodney - the same boat heading up the Darling River that her husband was bound for.
The last person Bram Kempster expects to see on board is Tess Hawthorn, the girl he's loved from afar since they were young. But he can't afford to get distracted, not when he's on an urgent trip to Renmark. Tess didn't want him back then and, if her haughty behaviour is anything to go by, she certainly doesn't want him now.
But childhood hurts are the least of their problems. The continent is a tinderbox of violence and bloodshed waiting to ignite, and at home the Murray River is rising fast. Can they overcome their past in time to work together and survive?
1894, Echuca, Victoria
Tess Hawthorn is a woman on the run from her abusive husband. All she has to do is get on the riverboat Victor and she will be free.
But with tensions at an all-time high between unionist shearers and Scabs, Tess isn't the only person trying to board a boat under the cover of night. When a brawl erupts between the union and non-union men, Tess is mistaken for a fellow Scab and in the chaos pulled aboard the PS Rodney - the same boat heading up the Darling River that her husband was bound for.
The last person Bram Kempster expects to see on board is Tess Hawthorn, the girl he's loved from afar since they were young. But he can't afford to get distracted, not when he's on an urgent trip to Renmark. Tess didn't want him back then and, if her haughty behaviour is anything to go by, she certainly doesn't want him now.
But childhood hurts are the least of their problems. The continent is a tinderbox of violence and bloodshed waiting to ignite, and at home the Murray River is rising fast. Can they overcome their past in time to work together and survive?
424 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 4, 2024
21 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
About the author
Darry Fraser
28 books169 followersBest-selling Australian author, Darry Fraser, has a passion for writing empowering, feminist-driven narratives.
She brings to life the courage, resilience, and spirit of women in her gripping stories and masterfully weaves fictional tales around the rich backdrop of Australian history.
Whether you're familiar with her work or discovering it for the first time, get ready to be captivated by her vivid characters and the rich landscapes of a past era, where adventure and empowerment intertwine.
She brings to life the courage, resilience, and spirit of women in her gripping stories and masterfully weaves fictional tales around the rich backdrop of Australian history.
Whether you're familiar with her work or discovering it for the first time, get ready to be captivated by her vivid characters and the rich landscapes of a past era, where adventure and empowerment intertwine.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
December 5, 2024
Growing up in Echuca, Victoria and as children, Tess Hawthorn, Alby Slattery, Bram Kempster and Harry Goodwin were best friends, this changed and as adults the quartet will all be involved in one of the most turbulent times in Australian history.
Tess Hawthorn has had enough of her abusive husband and she decides to leave him, the riverboat Victor is departing Echuca and he’s a passenger on the Rodney and by the time he returns Tess plans on being long gone and she hasn’t told a soul. However, Tess doesn’t know the tension between unionist shearers and the non-union men they bring in to fill their place and are aptly named "scabs" is about to boil over and a fight breaks out between them and Tess finds herself on a boat going down the Darling River and in the same direction as her husband.
Have you heard of the term "riding on a sheep’s back" and the Australian economy in 1894 certainly did, when wool prices dropped, shearers pay rates were cut and rich graziers hired non-union workers and a nationwide strike took place. Other incidents occurred at the same time, the sinking of a riverboat, setting fire to a wool-shed and the flooding of the Murray-Darling river system.
I received a copy of The Night on the Darling River from NetGalley and Harlequin Australia in exchange for an honest review. The narrative focuses on the main character Tess’s plight and her trying to flee domestic violence, she’s become a shadow of her former self and feels isolated, at the time women had few rights and were classed as their husband’s property. Tess is looking for a fresh start, along her journey she comes across volatile situations and some sinister characters and others who are kind and these include Bram, Ava, Tad and Merv.
Darry Fraser has firmly cemented her place as one of Australia’s bestselling historical fiction authors and I can honestly say her 10th book is her best and based on real facts and her love and interest in the history of the Murray River, and the towns nestled on it’s banks. Five stars from me and I highly recommend The Night on the Darling River for lovers of eloquently written and entertaining Australian historical adventure stories and with an emphasis on strong female characters and fighting and overcoming adversity.
Tess Hawthorn has had enough of her abusive husband and she decides to leave him, the riverboat Victor is departing Echuca and he’s a passenger on the Rodney and by the time he returns Tess plans on being long gone and she hasn’t told a soul. However, Tess doesn’t know the tension between unionist shearers and the non-union men they bring in to fill their place and are aptly named "scabs" is about to boil over and a fight breaks out between them and Tess finds herself on a boat going down the Darling River and in the same direction as her husband.
Have you heard of the term "riding on a sheep’s back" and the Australian economy in 1894 certainly did, when wool prices dropped, shearers pay rates were cut and rich graziers hired non-union workers and a nationwide strike took place. Other incidents occurred at the same time, the sinking of a riverboat, setting fire to a wool-shed and the flooding of the Murray-Darling river system.
I received a copy of The Night on the Darling River from NetGalley and Harlequin Australia in exchange for an honest review. The narrative focuses on the main character Tess’s plight and her trying to flee domestic violence, she’s become a shadow of her former self and feels isolated, at the time women had few rights and were classed as their husband’s property. Tess is looking for a fresh start, along her journey she comes across volatile situations and some sinister characters and others who are kind and these include Bram, Ava, Tad and Merv.
Darry Fraser has firmly cemented her place as one of Australia’s bestselling historical fiction authors and I can honestly say her 10th book is her best and based on real facts and her love and interest in the history of the Murray River, and the towns nestled on it’s banks. Five stars from me and I highly recommend The Night on the Darling River for lovers of eloquently written and entertaining Australian historical adventure stories and with an emphasis on strong female characters and fighting and overcoming adversity.
December 12, 2024
It was 1894 in Echuca, Victoria, and Tess Slattery was trying to escape her brutal and violent husband. He'd gone away, and she hoped to make her escape in the dead of night, dressed as a male, in the opposite direction to the one he had gone. Boarding the Victor was imperative. But with the shearers' strike in full swing, and both unionists and scabs trying to board, Tess became turned around and in the crush, boarded another paddle steamer, PS Rodney, the one her husband had been going to board. Hiding in a cabin with the one other woman on board, Tess did her best to stay out of sight as they travelled the Darling River.
Trouble began when the Rodney stopped in a lay-by, and suddenly Tess was rushing to get off, along with many others. She'd seen both Bram Kempster - an old childhood friend - and her husband, just as he spotted her. What would happen to Tess? Would she escape the clutches of her husband? The Murray River was rising as the rain continued to fall; those people from Echuca knew their homes and farms would be inundated...
The Night on the Darling River is another entertaining historical novel by Aussie author Darry Fraser. I found Tess to be an outstanding character, strong and determined; Ava, Bram, Merv - great characters. There were some "not so nice" people, perfectly written into their roles. A very satisfying read, and one I recommend.
With thanks to NetGalley & Harlequin Enterprises AU for my digital ARC to read and review.
Trouble began when the Rodney stopped in a lay-by, and suddenly Tess was rushing to get off, along with many others. She'd seen both Bram Kempster - an old childhood friend - and her husband, just as he spotted her. What would happen to Tess? Would she escape the clutches of her husband? The Murray River was rising as the rain continued to fall; those people from Echuca knew their homes and farms would be inundated...
The Night on the Darling River is another entertaining historical novel by Aussie author Darry Fraser. I found Tess to be an outstanding character, strong and determined; Ava, Bram, Merv - great characters. There were some "not so nice" people, perfectly written into their roles. A very satisfying read, and one I recommend.
With thanks to NetGalley & Harlequin Enterprises AU for my digital ARC to read and review.
November 17, 2024
This book had me riveted all the way through, Darry Fraser has again taken me on a historical journey back in time to the way Australia was in the late 1800’s, Paddle Boat Steamers on the great Darling and Murray Rivers, this one starts in Echuca in 1894 where we meet Tess Hawthorn a woman on the run from her abusive husband, will she make it? Come along for the journey it is sure to keep you turning the pages.
Four young people grew up together on neighbouring farms in Echuca, Tess Hawthorn, Alby Slattery, Harry Goodwin and Bram Kempster now the years have passed and they are adults, Harry has run from town, Tess has married Alby and Bram is widowed and still reading his books, all of the farms these days are run down and in need of repair, times are tough with the shearers strike that has unionist against scabs and it is getting dangerous, but with this trouble it gives Tess the chance to run when Alby decides to take a trip he will be on the PS Rodney and Tess plans to board the PS Victor going in the opposite direction, will she get away? Things turn around quickly for Tess when she boards PS Rodney and is mistaken for a scab and now she is on the same boat as Alby heading up The Darling River.
Bram Kempster is on his way to Renmark to meet up with his uncle, trouble is brewing when he boards the PS Rodney between the unionist and the scabs and the last person he expects to run in to on board is Tess, the one person who has always held a place in his heart no matter what he has been through but he cannot let her distract him on his mission, He offers advice to her and sees her settled for the journey then takes his leave. When the unionist board the boat all hell breaks loose and Alby spots Tess what happens is terrible and no one thinks that she will live when the boat is torched.
Tess finds herself in a camp with the unionists and their woman and children here she is helped and someone from the past arrives, Harry she has not seen him for fifteen years and soon she is heading home to Echuca when she arrives badly scared to Echuca she finds it just about to flood, when the river rises she finds herself arriving at Bram’s place, Bram offers her shelter but memories from the past are rising high and with all that is happening not only the floods but the strike brings danger to them all, will Tess and Bram finally find peace, happiness and maybe love?
Huge congratulations on your 10th book MS Fraser and what an awesome story it is, you pulled this story together with fact and wonderful characters some good some bad been, I loved Tess and Bram, the setting was fabulous another one for the keeper shelf and one that I would highly recommend, make sure you clear some time to read it because you won’t want to put it down once you start.
My thanks to HQ Fiction for my copy to red and review.
Four young people grew up together on neighbouring farms in Echuca, Tess Hawthorn, Alby Slattery, Harry Goodwin and Bram Kempster now the years have passed and they are adults, Harry has run from town, Tess has married Alby and Bram is widowed and still reading his books, all of the farms these days are run down and in need of repair, times are tough with the shearers strike that has unionist against scabs and it is getting dangerous, but with this trouble it gives Tess the chance to run when Alby decides to take a trip he will be on the PS Rodney and Tess plans to board the PS Victor going in the opposite direction, will she get away? Things turn around quickly for Tess when she boards PS Rodney and is mistaken for a scab and now she is on the same boat as Alby heading up The Darling River.
Bram Kempster is on his way to Renmark to meet up with his uncle, trouble is brewing when he boards the PS Rodney between the unionist and the scabs and the last person he expects to run in to on board is Tess, the one person who has always held a place in his heart no matter what he has been through but he cannot let her distract him on his mission, He offers advice to her and sees her settled for the journey then takes his leave. When the unionist board the boat all hell breaks loose and Alby spots Tess what happens is terrible and no one thinks that she will live when the boat is torched.
Tess finds herself in a camp with the unionists and their woman and children here she is helped and someone from the past arrives, Harry she has not seen him for fifteen years and soon she is heading home to Echuca when she arrives badly scared to Echuca she finds it just about to flood, when the river rises she finds herself arriving at Bram’s place, Bram offers her shelter but memories from the past are rising high and with all that is happening not only the floods but the strike brings danger to them all, will Tess and Bram finally find peace, happiness and maybe love?
Huge congratulations on your 10th book MS Fraser and what an awesome story it is, you pulled this story together with fact and wonderful characters some good some bad been, I loved Tess and Bram, the setting was fabulous another one for the keeper shelf and one that I would highly recommend, make sure you clear some time to read it because you won’t want to put it down once you start.
My thanks to HQ Fiction for my copy to red and review.
January 30, 2025
**3.5 stars**
**Thank you to HQ Fiction for sending me a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review; published 4 December 2024**
Set in 1894, this Australian historical fiction has a bit of everything - drama, action and romance. Tess is trying to escape her abusive husband but ends up on a boat in the middle of a battle between union and non-union shearers. Also on board is childhood friend Bram who has loved her from afar. Environmental circumstances end up throwing the two together during a time of violence and stress. While Tess and Bram are our main characters, the book is full of an interesting cast of characters with both heroes and villains. It's a well-written story that makes for an engaging read.
Happily recommend.
**Thank you to HQ Fiction for sending me a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review; published 4 December 2024**
Set in 1894, this Australian historical fiction has a bit of everything - drama, action and romance. Tess is trying to escape her abusive husband but ends up on a boat in the middle of a battle between union and non-union shearers. Also on board is childhood friend Bram who has loved her from afar. Environmental circumstances end up throwing the two together during a time of violence and stress. While Tess and Bram are our main characters, the book is full of an interesting cast of characters with both heroes and villains. It's a well-written story that makes for an engaging read.
Happily recommend.
March 23, 2025
The Night on the Darling River is a wonderfully immersive historical fiction set in 1894 Australia, during the rising tensions of the shearers' strikes.
Whilst most of the story is set in Echuca on the Murray River, it was the night Tess spent on the Darling River that changed her life forever.
Tess has finally summoned the courage to leave her abusive husband, stealing away in the dead of night, only to find herself hiding on the wrong boat. She is inadvertently caught up in the violence between union and non-union shearers and ends up wounded and stranded on the banks of the Darling River. Tess finds friendship in Ava, a young woman deserted by her husband.
Darry Fraser brings to life the tent cities on the banks of the Darling where women have the choice of following their husbands from town to town or staying put and praying they will return.
I was totally addicted to Tess's story and the action and danger never let up. Fraser has created some marvelous characters; strong women banding together, kind generous men and there are always those we want to see get their just deserts.
I love Australian Historical Fiction and The Night on the Darling River did not disappoint. Darry Fraser has given her readers a story that is rich in danger with a light romance thread dispersed throughout. Fraser highlights the plight of women during this period of history and the devastating effects of flooding on the riverside towns and their residents.
I'm excited to read more of Darry's backlog!
Whilst most of the story is set in Echuca on the Murray River, it was the night Tess spent on the Darling River that changed her life forever.
Tess has finally summoned the courage to leave her abusive husband, stealing away in the dead of night, only to find herself hiding on the wrong boat. She is inadvertently caught up in the violence between union and non-union shearers and ends up wounded and stranded on the banks of the Darling River. Tess finds friendship in Ava, a young woman deserted by her husband.
Darry Fraser brings to life the tent cities on the banks of the Darling where women have the choice of following their husbands from town to town or staying put and praying they will return.
I was totally addicted to Tess's story and the action and danger never let up. Fraser has created some marvelous characters; strong women banding together, kind generous men and there are always those we want to see get their just deserts.
I love Australian Historical Fiction and The Night on the Darling River did not disappoint. Darry Fraser has given her readers a story that is rich in danger with a light romance thread dispersed throughout. Fraser highlights the plight of women during this period of history and the devastating effects of flooding on the riverside towns and their residents.
I'm excited to read more of Darry's backlog!
March 19, 2025
Big thanks to Darry for gifting us a copy to read and review.
A snippet of colonial history expended into an enthralling story and some just deserts delivered courtesy of Darry was the tip of the icing in this historical saga.
The past comes alive when you indulge in this read while the social and political climate of the era heightens the reader experience.
Tess is on the run from her abusive husband.
Knowing he was travelling in one direction on the river she just had to get on a boat going the opposite way.
A tumultuous and dangerous atmosphere at the wharf with striking shearer’s and their animosity towards the scabs created a chaotic environment that lead to Tess boarding the wrong boat.
Danger, violence and a rekindled acquaintance heighten the anticipation.
A threatening flood, bloodshed and a sinking ship all pulsate from the pages.
The essence and heartbeat of colonial Australia is captured perfectly and Darry successfully brings the past back to life.
The intricate relationships between the main cast and the peripheral encounters between constables and perpetrators for example testify the talents that enhance this plot.
Australian historical fiction at its finest.
A snippet of colonial history expended into an enthralling story and some just deserts delivered courtesy of Darry was the tip of the icing in this historical saga.
The past comes alive when you indulge in this read while the social and political climate of the era heightens the reader experience.
Tess is on the run from her abusive husband.
Knowing he was travelling in one direction on the river she just had to get on a boat going the opposite way.
A tumultuous and dangerous atmosphere at the wharf with striking shearer’s and their animosity towards the scabs created a chaotic environment that lead to Tess boarding the wrong boat.
Danger, violence and a rekindled acquaintance heighten the anticipation.
A threatening flood, bloodshed and a sinking ship all pulsate from the pages.
The essence and heartbeat of colonial Australia is captured perfectly and Darry successfully brings the past back to life.
The intricate relationships between the main cast and the peripheral encounters between constables and perpetrators for example testify the talents that enhance this plot.
Australian historical fiction at its finest.
December 22, 2024
In a time when Aussie authors are making their mark in historical dramas, Darry has done a fabulous job with wonderful storytelling, putting herself right up there with the best in these Australian colonial sagas. Her latest offering is no different - drama and adventures in the outback, with colourful characters and an engagingly dynamic storyline.
I always gain so much from reading one of Darry’s books. On this occasion, she returns to her true love the Murray-Darling basin and I could not be happier. The factual focus on this occasion is a major flood that occurred in 1894 around the same time that the PS Rodney departed Echuca for its fated last journey. Add into this a dangerous shearers strike and some truly frightening domestic violence and this is a much darker and violent story that Darry has to share. The cast of characters are strong and believable and I appreciated the various POVs.
If you like to escape to a time long gone, a time when women attempted to exert some form of independence, all with a dash of mystery and romance, then this will be the book for you. Life wasn’t easy for women who were often regarded as male property and I admired the many strengths of the lead character, Tess Hawthorn. I highly recommend you sample one of Darry’s true to life historical dramas.
‘Since that night on the Darling River, everything about the person she’d become during her marriage had to change.’
I always gain so much from reading one of Darry’s books. On this occasion, she returns to her true love the Murray-Darling basin and I could not be happier. The factual focus on this occasion is a major flood that occurred in 1894 around the same time that the PS Rodney departed Echuca for its fated last journey. Add into this a dangerous shearers strike and some truly frightening domestic violence and this is a much darker and violent story that Darry has to share. The cast of characters are strong and believable and I appreciated the various POVs.
If you like to escape to a time long gone, a time when women attempted to exert some form of independence, all with a dash of mystery and romance, then this will be the book for you. Life wasn’t easy for women who were often regarded as male property and I admired the many strengths of the lead character, Tess Hawthorn. I highly recommend you sample one of Darry’s true to life historical dramas.
‘Since that night on the Darling River, everything about the person she’d become during her marriage had to change.’
September 9, 2024
In 1894 South Australia, the ebb and flow of the mighty Murray and the Darling Rivers are the powerful pulse of this compelling novel set during a turbulent strike of the sheep shearers union, the conflict with scab labor who took their place, and the police.
Fraser's characters are salt of the earth laborers caught up in the violence and strife of going up against the rich and powerful for a better living wage; - her feisty heroine, Tess Hawthorne, faces unsurmountable obstacles as well as a powerless woman in an abusive marriage. She is the soul of the story and readers will be swept up in her struggles and rooting for her during her amazing journey.
There is a darker and more serious tone to this story then Fraser's previous novel, The Milliner of Bendigo. The conflicts and violence in The Night on the Darling River are at times difficult to be a part of, but the uplifting message of the enduring strength of the human spirit and the redeeming qualities of hope and love make this story one that you will cherish, and read again.
I highly recommend The Night on the Darling River to those who enjoy American western fiction from authors Sandra Dallas, Paulette Jiles, and Charles Portis.
Fraser's characters are salt of the earth laborers caught up in the violence and strife of going up against the rich and powerful for a better living wage; - her feisty heroine, Tess Hawthorne, faces unsurmountable obstacles as well as a powerless woman in an abusive marriage. She is the soul of the story and readers will be swept up in her struggles and rooting for her during her amazing journey.
There is a darker and more serious tone to this story then Fraser's previous novel, The Milliner of Bendigo. The conflicts and violence in The Night on the Darling River are at times difficult to be a part of, but the uplifting message of the enduring strength of the human spirit and the redeeming qualities of hope and love make this story one that you will cherish, and read again.
I highly recommend The Night on the Darling River to those who enjoy American western fiction from authors Sandra Dallas, Paulette Jiles, and Charles Portis.
September 21, 2024
Me: Just existing in life as a romance reader and historian of Australian maritime disasters who is desperate to move to Echuca and also has a bizarre fascination with floods
Darry: Writes this
Me: SLAMMING THE REQUEST BUTTON ON NETGALLEY
Yeah needless to say this is tied for my favourite book of the year 😍
I fell in love with the story of the PS Rodney when I finally got to visit Echuca for the first time back in June. It became my hyperfixation for a little while there, so when I found out literally only a few weeks after my trip that there was to be a new historical fiction novel by one of the queens of Australian historical fiction all about it I was desperate to get my hands on it and it did not disappoint! It took me a while to get into it sadly but that isn’t a reflection on the book itself, it was me trying to drag myself out of a months long reading slump because I knew how much I would love this one.
Darry: Writes this
Me: SLAMMING THE REQUEST BUTTON ON NETGALLEY
Yeah needless to say this is tied for my favourite book of the year 😍
I fell in love with the story of the PS Rodney when I finally got to visit Echuca for the first time back in June. It became my hyperfixation for a little while there, so when I found out literally only a few weeks after my trip that there was to be a new historical fiction novel by one of the queens of Australian historical fiction all about it I was desperate to get my hands on it and it did not disappoint! It took me a while to get into it sadly but that isn’t a reflection on the book itself, it was me trying to drag myself out of a months long reading slump because I knew how much I would love this one.
November 22, 2024
4.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
I read my first Darry Fraser novel, Where the Murray River Runs, back in 2017. I loved the descriptive way Darry writes and could truly imagine myself in the places and times set out in the story. That has since gone for every novel of hers I have read.
Darry Fraser continues to highlight the issues that women dealt with back in the 1890s, unfortunately, many of these issues are ones women still have to deal with today.
I was transported to 1894, Echuca, Victoria in The Night on the Darling River. I was with Tess when she crept through the night to find the riverboat to take her to safety, I felt her dismay and fear when she realised she was on the wrong boat and when the consequences of that turned to horror changed the trajectory of her future.
I instantly connected with Tess Hawthorn (Slatterly), the main character who is ready to escape her abusive husband, I felt her struggle to take that step, her fear of what would happen when she did and also what would happen if she didn't. Tess' plans don't go to plan and her journey ahead becomes a nightmare.
I was so angry at the way people turned a blind eye to the abuse Tess endured, even after the terrible event that happened there were still people who were saying 'You can't interfere with what a man does to his wife'. This wasn't right back then, and it sure isn't right today and is something everyone still needs to work on.
Also among the main cast of characters I met Bram Kempster, Harry Goodwin, and unfortunately Alby Slatterly, Tess' husband. While Bram is one of the nicest men going, Harry is a manipulative, conniving thief and Alby, well he is a man with no redeeming features who I wished had met his end in the violence and bloodshed aboard the riverboat 'Rodney' that they all end up on; alas he doesn't. These three men, along with Tess have known each other since childhood and while their lives have diverged, the events of the night on the Darling River have them all reconnecting with unexpected outcomes.
At this time Victoria is embroiled in a shearers strike, an uprising that will have far-reaching consequences for thousands. I had little idea about this event in our history that became a violent struggle between thousands of men, the union shearers and nonunionists, the landholders and the law.
This story is told from several characters' POV which I really liked, it gave me a much broader view of the struggles of the time as well as allowed me to get to know the characters who were part of Tess' story.
Bram was one of the nicest men, he'd been in love with Tess since they were kids but she'd never paid him any attention. The flood that inundates Echuca and the surrounding land brings these two together again after the events on the 'Rodney'.
My journey with Tess, Bram, Merv, Ava, Tad & Harry was fraught with danger & violence but also with new connections, friendships and romance, and hope for the future. All the characters endured so much, some rising above the challenges thrown at them while others got what they deserved but not in the way they had hoped.
This was another great historical fiction novel that transported me to a time I'm glad I didn't live in while allowing me to experience what the people of that time went through to get by as well as giving me a small history lesson in a way I enjoyed.
I read my first Darry Fraser novel, Where the Murray River Runs, back in 2017. I loved the descriptive way Darry writes and could truly imagine myself in the places and times set out in the story. That has since gone for every novel of hers I have read.
Darry Fraser continues to highlight the issues that women dealt with back in the 1890s, unfortunately, many of these issues are ones women still have to deal with today.
I was transported to 1894, Echuca, Victoria in The Night on the Darling River. I was with Tess when she crept through the night to find the riverboat to take her to safety, I felt her dismay and fear when she realised she was on the wrong boat and when the consequences of that turned to horror changed the trajectory of her future.
I instantly connected with Tess Hawthorn (Slatterly), the main character who is ready to escape her abusive husband, I felt her struggle to take that step, her fear of what would happen when she did and also what would happen if she didn't. Tess' plans don't go to plan and her journey ahead becomes a nightmare.
I was so angry at the way people turned a blind eye to the abuse Tess endured, even after the terrible event that happened there were still people who were saying 'You can't interfere with what a man does to his wife'. This wasn't right back then, and it sure isn't right today and is something everyone still needs to work on.
Also among the main cast of characters I met Bram Kempster, Harry Goodwin, and unfortunately Alby Slatterly, Tess' husband. While Bram is one of the nicest men going, Harry is a manipulative, conniving thief and Alby, well he is a man with no redeeming features who I wished had met his end in the violence and bloodshed aboard the riverboat 'Rodney' that they all end up on; alas he doesn't. These three men, along with Tess have known each other since childhood and while their lives have diverged, the events of the night on the Darling River have them all reconnecting with unexpected outcomes.
At this time Victoria is embroiled in a shearers strike, an uprising that will have far-reaching consequences for thousands. I had little idea about this event in our history that became a violent struggle between thousands of men, the union shearers and nonunionists, the landholders and the law.
This story is told from several characters' POV which I really liked, it gave me a much broader view of the struggles of the time as well as allowed me to get to know the characters who were part of Tess' story.
Bram was one of the nicest men, he'd been in love with Tess since they were kids but she'd never paid him any attention. The flood that inundates Echuca and the surrounding land brings these two together again after the events on the 'Rodney'.
My journey with Tess, Bram, Merv, Ava, Tad & Harry was fraught with danger & violence but also with new connections, friendships and romance, and hope for the future. All the characters endured so much, some rising above the challenges thrown at them while others got what they deserved but not in the way they had hoped.
This was another great historical fiction novel that transported me to a time I'm glad I didn't live in while allowing me to experience what the people of that time went through to get by as well as giving me a small history lesson in a way I enjoyed.
September 30, 2024
First off, I love every book Darry Fraser has written. I am a HUGE fan so always eager to get my hands on a copy as I know I am in for an emotional, thrilling and eye- opening ride into the Australia’s colonial past. The covers of Darry’s books are exceptionally enticing too and represent the story that lies within so beautifully.
This novel is stunning on many levels as it captures the era so realistically and clearly. I felt transported to 1894 Victoria watching the flood waters of the Murray River rising and destroying homes and lands, experienced the shocking social unrest surrounding the shearer’s strike and gasped at the horrors of spousal abuse (graphically portrayed). It was a violent time and so this novel carries a much darker tone (than Darry’s previous) due to the nature of the subjects covered and plot.
Once I picked up The Night On The Darling River I could not stop reading! I say this truthfully, I got very little sleep as I was reading late into the night and only dozed off to awaken again every few hours with this story in my head and needed to keep picking it up to see what was going to happen next. And boy did it offer some exciting and unexpected twists! I will not give away any of the details as that would be unfair to other readers and to Darry, who has put so much effort into her novel. I can say that everything is faultlessly described to support the colourful characters, along with a riveting plot and appropriate dialogue. I could picture everything for it captured the magnitude of the little and big details and events that were happening. Plus, it was easy to visualise the various players of a dramatic cast. In fact, I say this every time, reading one of Darry’s books is like watching a movie with each scene being very visual, vivid and profound.
But I must mention Tess the heroine. A woman with the strength of many but who has been subjected to the horrors of physical and mental abuse from her volatile and violent husband (the worst villain ever!). One day she gets the courage to leave him and goes undercover to board a boat at night that will take her to freedom. But, of course, things do not go as planned and it is far from smooth sailing. She runs into some terrible strife and gets caught up in a war between union and non-union men. Her life is threatened and takes a turn she would never have anticipated. And my heart broke all over again for this woman who deserved so much better than what she got.
Another character important to the story is Bram. He ends up on the same boat (Rodney) as Tess. He is on a mission to Renmark for important business and they bump into each other. He is not sure how to help her and her behaviour toward him is less than kind. Her experiences with men have not been very positive. But he has loved her since they were young, though she never seemed interested. Their encounter will not only remind them of past regrets but also bring about some important changes. Yet not until disaster strikes on more than one occasion.
This is a moving, gut wrenching tale. The awakening of quiet love is part of this historical drama, too, but it comes during the trials that occur. Tess, learns what kind of man she really wants and has some eye-opening revelations during her traumatic adventures. There are many on-the-edge-of-your-seat moments as danger and treachery abound. The plot moves along at a rapid, yet well-paced speed. I fell under the spell of Darry’s breath-taking story-telling skill once again! The Night On The Darling River is an unforgettable and exhilarating journey. I could not take my eyes off the page for a second as there was so much happening! But it is all skilfully and powerfully delivered and crowned with a brilliant finale. This is a definite 2024 must-read for Australian historical fiction lovers! I was truly captivated, educated and amazed. I highly recommend The Night On The Darling River. 5 Exhilarating Stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to HQ Fiction and Netgalley for a review copy.
This novel is stunning on many levels as it captures the era so realistically and clearly. I felt transported to 1894 Victoria watching the flood waters of the Murray River rising and destroying homes and lands, experienced the shocking social unrest surrounding the shearer’s strike and gasped at the horrors of spousal abuse (graphically portrayed). It was a violent time and so this novel carries a much darker tone (than Darry’s previous) due to the nature of the subjects covered and plot.
Once I picked up The Night On The Darling River I could not stop reading! I say this truthfully, I got very little sleep as I was reading late into the night and only dozed off to awaken again every few hours with this story in my head and needed to keep picking it up to see what was going to happen next. And boy did it offer some exciting and unexpected twists! I will not give away any of the details as that would be unfair to other readers and to Darry, who has put so much effort into her novel. I can say that everything is faultlessly described to support the colourful characters, along with a riveting plot and appropriate dialogue. I could picture everything for it captured the magnitude of the little and big details and events that were happening. Plus, it was easy to visualise the various players of a dramatic cast. In fact, I say this every time, reading one of Darry’s books is like watching a movie with each scene being very visual, vivid and profound.
But I must mention Tess the heroine. A woman with the strength of many but who has been subjected to the horrors of physical and mental abuse from her volatile and violent husband (the worst villain ever!). One day she gets the courage to leave him and goes undercover to board a boat at night that will take her to freedom. But, of course, things do not go as planned and it is far from smooth sailing. She runs into some terrible strife and gets caught up in a war between union and non-union men. Her life is threatened and takes a turn she would never have anticipated. And my heart broke all over again for this woman who deserved so much better than what she got.
Another character important to the story is Bram. He ends up on the same boat (Rodney) as Tess. He is on a mission to Renmark for important business and they bump into each other. He is not sure how to help her and her behaviour toward him is less than kind. Her experiences with men have not been very positive. But he has loved her since they were young, though she never seemed interested. Their encounter will not only remind them of past regrets but also bring about some important changes. Yet not until disaster strikes on more than one occasion.
This is a moving, gut wrenching tale. The awakening of quiet love is part of this historical drama, too, but it comes during the trials that occur. Tess, learns what kind of man she really wants and has some eye-opening revelations during her traumatic adventures. There are many on-the-edge-of-your-seat moments as danger and treachery abound. The plot moves along at a rapid, yet well-paced speed. I fell under the spell of Darry’s breath-taking story-telling skill once again! The Night On The Darling River is an unforgettable and exhilarating journey. I could not take my eyes off the page for a second as there was so much happening! But it is all skilfully and powerfully delivered and crowned with a brilliant finale. This is a definite 2024 must-read for Australian historical fiction lovers! I was truly captivated, educated and amazed. I highly recommend The Night On The Darling River. 5 Exhilarating Stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to HQ Fiction and Netgalley for a review copy.
January 17, 2025
On an evening in late August 1894, a mob of union sheepshearers boarded the paddle-steamer Rodney at its mooring along the Darling River in New South Wales, intent on overtaking the non-union workers heading upriver in defiance of a long-running strike. Darry Fraser deftly incorporates the burning and sinking of the Rodney, a pivotal event in Australian labor history, into a storyline about a host of worn-down characters desperate to improve their lives.
Tess Hawthorn, Alby Slattery, Bram Kempster, and Harry Goodwin grew up as farmers’ children in the river town of Echuca in Victoria, more thrown together by circumstance than friends. Now adults in their early thirties, the four have a convoluted history behind them, and more yet to come.
Tess ends up on the Rodney by accident. Fifteen years married to the abusive Alby, she courageously dons a disguise and flees their home but gets caught up in violence at the wharf and is forced onto the wrong boat. Also aboard are Bram, a reserved man who’s always loved Tess unrequitedly, as well as Alby – each for different reasons. Once Alby discovers Tess there, his anger is swift and irrevocable.
Their interactions move the story forward as their circumstances and environments change, including the rising floodwaters around Echuca. Fraser clearly adores rural Australia and powerfully re-creates it on the page, and her multifaceted characters feel like they belong there. Can Tess overcome her pride and self-protectiveness to accept the help she needs, and will she ever appreciate Bram for himself? After years of rejection and his own losses, does he even still want her? There’s also Harry, Tess’s dashing former crush, always caught up in a new scheme or three.
Into this tangled mix of personalities, Fraser drops in a zippy new character, Miss Eugenia Osborne. Her viewpoint is fabulous. Unlike Tess, “Jeanie” is a confident, wealthy, spoiled woman with a lusty appetite for burly men. Can she really be as superficial as she appears?
While Tess’s journey shows the author’s skill and sensitivity in depicting recovery from domestic abuse, Jeanie’s viewpoint adds unexpected humor. The odds are stacked against women in these depressed times, as evoked so convincingly by Fraser, and she and Tess, equally determined, have different ways of pushing through and surviving.
Tess Hawthorn, Alby Slattery, Bram Kempster, and Harry Goodwin grew up as farmers’ children in the river town of Echuca in Victoria, more thrown together by circumstance than friends. Now adults in their early thirties, the four have a convoluted history behind them, and more yet to come.
Tess ends up on the Rodney by accident. Fifteen years married to the abusive Alby, she courageously dons a disguise and flees their home but gets caught up in violence at the wharf and is forced onto the wrong boat. Also aboard are Bram, a reserved man who’s always loved Tess unrequitedly, as well as Alby – each for different reasons. Once Alby discovers Tess there, his anger is swift and irrevocable.
Their interactions move the story forward as their circumstances and environments change, including the rising floodwaters around Echuca. Fraser clearly adores rural Australia and powerfully re-creates it on the page, and her multifaceted characters feel like they belong there. Can Tess overcome her pride and self-protectiveness to accept the help she needs, and will she ever appreciate Bram for himself? After years of rejection and his own losses, does he even still want her? There’s also Harry, Tess’s dashing former crush, always caught up in a new scheme or three.
Into this tangled mix of personalities, Fraser drops in a zippy new character, Miss Eugenia Osborne. Her viewpoint is fabulous. Unlike Tess, “Jeanie” is a confident, wealthy, spoiled woman with a lusty appetite for burly men. Can she really be as superficial as she appears?
While Tess’s journey shows the author’s skill and sensitivity in depicting recovery from domestic abuse, Jeanie’s viewpoint adds unexpected humor. The odds are stacked against women in these depressed times, as evoked so convincingly by Fraser, and she and Tess, equally determined, have different ways of pushing through and surviving.
January 18, 2025
This book starts off with a strong suspense feel to it. The main character, Tess, is on the run from her abusive husband and trying to locate the right ship on the river to free herself. But things don't work out exactly as she planned and she finds herself in a dangerous situation all over again. A fast paced historical novel set in Australia that is highlighting the strife of union workers during the late 1800s. It's a dangerous world of union versus non-union people trying to survive hard times.
We have several main characters including Tess; her childhood friends Bram and Harry, as well as appearances from the Alby her dangerous husband. Everyone's experiences are intertwined as the men are trying to find work and do what they need to survive, while Tess is dealing with her own personal issues of finding herself and establishing who she wants to be outside of what she has experienced.
This book was a little bit more explicit in tone and actions than I had expected, but the times where this appears was contextually important to the moment or the characters. Bram was one of my favorite characters in this story as his honorable nature really outshines every other man you come across in this book. He focuses heavily on being there for Tess, as he was fond of her as a child and then they both went their separate ways. The support system that Tess needs is found in Bram and carries the entire story all the way through.
We have several main characters including Tess; her childhood friends Bram and Harry, as well as appearances from the Alby her dangerous husband. Everyone's experiences are intertwined as the men are trying to find work and do what they need to survive, while Tess is dealing with her own personal issues of finding herself and establishing who she wants to be outside of what she has experienced.
This book was a little bit more explicit in tone and actions than I had expected, but the times where this appears was contextually important to the moment or the characters. Bram was one of my favorite characters in this story as his honorable nature really outshines every other man you come across in this book. He focuses heavily on being there for Tess, as he was fond of her as a child and then they both went their separate ways. The support system that Tess needs is found in Bram and carries the entire story all the way through.
January 5, 2025
I have not read too many historical novels set in Australia and this one taught me so much! Tess has been trapped in an abusive relationship during a time when women are still very much seen as the husband's property. Her abuse is well known and others in the community often pity her and worry for her life. So when she gets the chance to run, she takes it but things go very awry when she finds herself face to face with her husband on the same steamer that is currently being taken over and is on fire. He is the last thing she sees before she finds herself in the water. She finds herself in a camp being cared for. She face has become quite disfigured but she is alive and word is that abusive husband of hers is dead. She will never have to deal with him again. But is he really? After healing and gaining her strength back, Tess finds her way back towards home, but the great flooding of the Murray River is happening and she has been warned she may not have a home to go back to. Seeking refuge at the Kempster's she is still uncertain of her life, her supposedly dead husband and her next steps. Bram and her dance around each other as they attempt a routine for chores. Tess worries he is taking pity on her and what happened and Bram is fighting the feelings he has always had for her. As they make plans for her house once the flooding recedes, she feels a future for herself. But when a friend from the camp she healed at shows up with a dire warning, she once again fears everything she has worked for will be taken along with her own life. Can Bram keep her safe or will the law of being a wife prevail? There was just so much more to this story and it was such a fascinating read. I had no idea about the great floods that happened as well as the tension and danger between the unionist shearers and Scabs. Thank you to the author and Austenprose for the complementary ebook. This review is of my own opinion and accord.
January 8, 2025
The Night on the Darling River is a historical fiction and romance. Set in Australia in 1894, during the tensions of a shearers strike, a depression, and a flooding river.
At 424 pages, I read through this book very quickly. It was riveting. I love historical fiction. You can learn so much in such an accessible and enjoyable format. I don't know much about Australian history, so I was really intrigued by this story.
The story mainly follows Tess Hawthorn, a woman trying to escape her abusive husband. Throughout the story, we are introduced to secondary characters, and the story alternates between Tess' and our secondary characters POV. What I love is how these secondary characters end up being so pivotal to the story and how the authour pulls them into Tess' world to bring this story to a tension filled but satisfying ending.
If you are a fan of historical fiction and romance, you definitely need to add this story to your reading list.
Thank you to @darryfraserauthor @harpercollinsaustralia @harlequinaus @austenprose for having me on this digital book tour and for the advanced digital copy of this book.
#thenightonthedarlingriver #darryfraser #historicafiction #historicalmystery #historicalsuspense #australianfiction #bookstagram #newbooks #bookreview #bookx #booktour #harpercollinsaustralia #austenprosepr
At 424 pages, I read through this book very quickly. It was riveting. I love historical fiction. You can learn so much in such an accessible and enjoyable format. I don't know much about Australian history, so I was really intrigued by this story.
The story mainly follows Tess Hawthorn, a woman trying to escape her abusive husband. Throughout the story, we are introduced to secondary characters, and the story alternates between Tess' and our secondary characters POV. What I love is how these secondary characters end up being so pivotal to the story and how the authour pulls them into Tess' world to bring this story to a tension filled but satisfying ending.
If you are a fan of historical fiction and romance, you definitely need to add this story to your reading list.
Thank you to @darryfraserauthor @harpercollinsaustralia @harlequinaus @austenprose for having me on this digital book tour and for the advanced digital copy of this book.
#thenightonthedarlingriver #darryfraser #historicafiction #historicalmystery #historicalsuspense #australianfiction #bookstagram #newbooks #bookreview #bookx #booktour #harpercollinsaustralia #austenprosepr
January 27, 2025
Copy received from Harper Collins/Harlequin for an honest review
Darry Fraser has given us another wonderful Australian historical tale, told around actual events in our short history, with strong women proving once again that just because we are women, does not mean we can't do it all.
It delves into t he scource of DV, which our amazing lady Tess is escaping. Set around the 1894 shearer's strike across the country, Fraser gives us a sweeping tale, which has you hoping so hard that she gets away.
I could see the paddlesteamers moving along the Darling as I was reading. I am also one of those readers that has to Google things as I am reading, and did that many times, reading about the strikes, the paddlesteamers.
It is also a tale of childhood friendships, childhood first loves and how things all come full circle. Loved where Tess ends up at the end. Yay for triumphant women!
Looking forward to what Ms Fraser gives us next
Darry Fraser has given us another wonderful Australian historical tale, told around actual events in our short history, with strong women proving once again that just because we are women, does not mean we can't do it all.
It delves into t he scource of DV, which our amazing lady Tess is escaping. Set around the 1894 shearer's strike across the country, Fraser gives us a sweeping tale, which has you hoping so hard that she gets away.
I could see the paddlesteamers moving along the Darling as I was reading. I am also one of those readers that has to Google things as I am reading, and did that many times, reading about the strikes, the paddlesteamers.
It is also a tale of childhood friendships, childhood first loves and how things all come full circle. Loved where Tess ends up at the end. Yay for triumphant women!
Looking forward to what Ms Fraser gives us next
February 22, 2025
What a great read. I loved this one. I love early colonial stories! This one had me travelling down the Murray, riding to Echuca, fleeing from flood and a violent husband..what a great tale! So much damper and tea!! Loved learning more about the shearer’s strike and non union men…
December 30, 2024
Darry Fraser is an amazing writer and again she had me hooked from the start to finish. I loved this book soo much.
January 1, 2025
Thank you to @darryfraserauthor @harpercollinsaustralia @harlequinaus and @austenprose for the #gifted e-book.
Immerse yourself in the gripping tale set in late 1800s Australia, during the devastating Echuca flood of 1894. This story follows the tumultuous journey of the PS Rodney, intertwined with the shearers' strike and the violence that erupted around it.
Tess is a fierce and resilient character. After escaping her abusive husband, fate cruelly places her back on the PS Rodney with him. The upheaval leads to heartbreaking consequences for Tess. As she strives to return to Echuca, the diverse individuals she encounters along her path empower her to navigate life as a widow.
The author masterfully weaves together the narratives of various characters, creating a rich story of life during this tumultuous time. Women, often seen as the property of men, faced significant hardships, yet Tess evolves into a savvy and independent individual. Told from multiple characters' perspectives, the story provides a wider lens on the struggles they endure and a deeper understanding of Tess's journey.
If you appreciate historical fiction infused with mystery, resilience, and a compelling female lead, this book is a must-read. Don’t let this enthralling story pass you by!
Immerse yourself in the gripping tale set in late 1800s Australia, during the devastating Echuca flood of 1894. This story follows the tumultuous journey of the PS Rodney, intertwined with the shearers' strike and the violence that erupted around it.
Tess is a fierce and resilient character. After escaping her abusive husband, fate cruelly places her back on the PS Rodney with him. The upheaval leads to heartbreaking consequences for Tess. As she strives to return to Echuca, the diverse individuals she encounters along her path empower her to navigate life as a widow.
The author masterfully weaves together the narratives of various characters, creating a rich story of life during this tumultuous time. Women, often seen as the property of men, faced significant hardships, yet Tess evolves into a savvy and independent individual. Told from multiple characters' perspectives, the story provides a wider lens on the struggles they endure and a deeper understanding of Tess's journey.
If you appreciate historical fiction infused with mystery, resilience, and a compelling female lead, this book is a must-read. Don’t let this enthralling story pass you by!
April 14, 2025
A tragic and inspiring story about Tess Hawthorne who is running from her abusive husband. Author Darry Fraser brings to life not only Tess's life and experience, but also the beautiful backdrop of Australia. A bit of a sad and dark story, but also heart-rending that readers will enjoy.
Content warning: discussion of abuse; also quite a few swear words
Disclosure statement: A complimentary review copy of this book was provided from tour groups, publishers, publicists, authors, and others, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including Libby, Or borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR borrowed from Deseret Bookshelf, OR pre-ordered/purchased for review, including Audible. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
Content warning: discussion of abuse; also quite a few swear words
Disclosure statement: A complimentary review copy of this book was provided from tour groups, publishers, publicists, authors, and others, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including Libby, Or borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR borrowed from Deseret Bookshelf, OR pre-ordered/purchased for review, including Audible. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
December 23, 2024
The Night on the Darling River is a harrowing and unputdownable book covering the sinking of the PS Rodney, Australia's earliest and most violent industrial disputes, and a major flood that occurred in Echuca in 1894.
1894, Echuca, Victoria: As Tess Hawthorn flees an abusive marriage, she boards a boat to escape her husband when a brawl erupts between the union and non-union men. As Tess is mistakenly pulled on to the wrong boat, she soon finds that she is heading up the Darling River, on the same boat as her husband. Bram Kempster, her neighbor who has loved her since childhood, is the last person she expects to see on the boat. As their paths cross, can they set aside their past to work together to survive?
This enthralling adventure was filled with danger, a bit of romance, and an interesting piece of Australian history that I was unfamiliar with. I enjoyed the lyrical prose and could not stop reading through Tess' journey to independence. The book covered heavy topics regarding domestic abuse and violence, but was met with whispers of romance. It's a wonderful novel that all lovers of Australian historical fiction will enjoy.
Many thanks to the publisher and Darry Fraser for the complimentary ARC. This review is voluntary, and all thoughts are my own.
Trigger warnings: violence, domestic abuse, sexual content, language.
1894, Echuca, Victoria: As Tess Hawthorn flees an abusive marriage, she boards a boat to escape her husband when a brawl erupts between the union and non-union men. As Tess is mistakenly pulled on to the wrong boat, she soon finds that she is heading up the Darling River, on the same boat as her husband. Bram Kempster, her neighbor who has loved her since childhood, is the last person she expects to see on the boat. As their paths cross, can they set aside their past to work together to survive?
This enthralling adventure was filled with danger, a bit of romance, and an interesting piece of Australian history that I was unfamiliar with. I enjoyed the lyrical prose and could not stop reading through Tess' journey to independence. The book covered heavy topics regarding domestic abuse and violence, but was met with whispers of romance. It's a wonderful novel that all lovers of Australian historical fiction will enjoy.
Many thanks to the publisher and Darry Fraser for the complimentary ARC. This review is voluntary, and all thoughts are my own.
Trigger warnings: violence, domestic abuse, sexual content, language.
February 2, 2025
Spoiler
Darry Fraser is a wonderful author. I have loved her other books for the crime and intrigue. However, with this book she has gone down the path of many other Australian authors post 2020 leaning heavily into graphical DV scenes. Wondering if this was her choice or the publisher?? Whilst I understand DV is an important story to tell. Many of my friends have lived experiences. It's not something I want to read in every Australian book in graphic detail. Books are suppose to be an escape.
Hopefully, Australian publishers #HarperCollins will pull their socks up and give readers a broader context of the Australian landscape in 2025 and onwards. Our Australian culture is richer than DV and drugs.
Darry look forward to seeing more of your normal crime and intrigue style in future.
Darry Fraser is a wonderful author. I have loved her other books for the crime and intrigue. However, with this book she has gone down the path of many other Australian authors post 2020 leaning heavily into graphical DV scenes. Wondering if this was her choice or the publisher?? Whilst I understand DV is an important story to tell. Many of my friends have lived experiences. It's not something I want to read in every Australian book in graphic detail. Books are suppose to be an escape.
Hopefully, Australian publishers #HarperCollins will pull their socks up and give readers a broader context of the Australian landscape in 2025 and onwards. Our Australian culture is richer than DV and drugs.
Darry look forward to seeing more of your normal crime and intrigue style in future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2025
I am a newcomer to historical fiction set in Australia, although I am a huge fan of the genre in general, and I have to say that this was an excellent book to start with. Full of excitement, tension, fascinating historical facts and a realistic romance, this book is the complete package.
Tess Hawthorn is an abused wife at a time where women were still second class citizens with few options of their own in these circumstances. Finally, having reached breaking point, she decides she has to leave him and escape downriver by boat to start a new life. However, disturbance at the docks has her boarding the wrong boat and she finds herself heading upriver on a ship full of sheep-shearing scabs, an old friend and her husband.
From this point on poor Tess has a terrible time trying to escape her husband and make her way to a place of safety. Along the way she is injured, helped by new friends and old and faced by more peril and danger. The action is fast and furious, Tess is brave and feisty and the reader will be eagerly turning the pages late into the night to keep up with both.
I loved the character of Tess. My favourite types of historical fiction involve women breaking out of their restraints and taking a stand for their independence. Tess faces more than her fair share of adversity in this book, but she is determined and brave and stubborn and we all know that these characters win through in the end. Most of all, though, I was just desperate for her to get a happy ending after everything she is put through in the story, but you’ll have to read the book yourself to find out if this happens. Tess is a great character to read, her voice is distinctive and authentic and I really cared what happened to her from the beginning.
The best part about this story is the historical back drop to Tess’s story. My favourite thing about reading historical fiction is learning about parts of the past I previously knew nothing about in an entertaining way and I know very little about the history of Australia at all. This book features the 1894 sheep shearers’ strike and tensions with the non-unionised shearers, the sinking of the PS Rodney and river flooding, all of which I subsequently went on to read more about after I finished the book. There is nothing I enjoy more than a book that piques my curiosity, and this book ticks all the boxes in that regard, the history being expertly woven seamlessly in to the plot.
Having throughly enjoyed The Night on the Darling River, I will seek out more by this excellent author, and I cannot give a more ringing endorsement of a book than that.
Tess Hawthorn is an abused wife at a time where women were still second class citizens with few options of their own in these circumstances. Finally, having reached breaking point, she decides she has to leave him and escape downriver by boat to start a new life. However, disturbance at the docks has her boarding the wrong boat and she finds herself heading upriver on a ship full of sheep-shearing scabs, an old friend and her husband.
From this point on poor Tess has a terrible time trying to escape her husband and make her way to a place of safety. Along the way she is injured, helped by new friends and old and faced by more peril and danger. The action is fast and furious, Tess is brave and feisty and the reader will be eagerly turning the pages late into the night to keep up with both.
I loved the character of Tess. My favourite types of historical fiction involve women breaking out of their restraints and taking a stand for their independence. Tess faces more than her fair share of adversity in this book, but she is determined and brave and stubborn and we all know that these characters win through in the end. Most of all, though, I was just desperate for her to get a happy ending after everything she is put through in the story, but you’ll have to read the book yourself to find out if this happens. Tess is a great character to read, her voice is distinctive and authentic and I really cared what happened to her from the beginning.
The best part about this story is the historical back drop to Tess’s story. My favourite thing about reading historical fiction is learning about parts of the past I previously knew nothing about in an entertaining way and I know very little about the history of Australia at all. This book features the 1894 sheep shearers’ strike and tensions with the non-unionised shearers, the sinking of the PS Rodney and river flooding, all of which I subsequently went on to read more about after I finished the book. There is nothing I enjoy more than a book that piques my curiosity, and this book ticks all the boxes in that regard, the history being expertly woven seamlessly in to the plot.
Having throughly enjoyed The Night on the Darling River, I will seek out more by this excellent author, and I cannot give a more ringing endorsement of a book than that.
January 16, 2025
Have you ever visited Australia? I have never been there, but it is on my bucket list of places to visit.
Tess Hawthorne has finally decided to leave her abusive husband. Unfortunately, she has boarded the wrong boat as it was moored in the wrong place, the Rodney, and her husband is on this boat. As tensions arise between union laborers and scabs shearers of sheep, the boat is attacked and set ablaze. Tess is attacked and her life is change forever. Will she be able to survive?
My thoughts on this novel:
• The storyline was very intriguing, and I had a hard time putting it down. Fraser did a great job of crafting the story with believable well-rounded characters and having their stories come together to make a great overall novel. It was well written, descriptive, moving, and heartfelt.
• I liked how the story revolved around four childhood friends, Tess and three men – her husband Alby Slattery, Brian Kempster her neighbor who always pined away for her, and Harry Goodwin the man Tess always had a crush.
• I enjoyed learning about the shearers strike and the flooding that occurred in the 1890s Australia along the Darling and Murphy Rivers. From the burning Rodney boat, to the labor camps, Fraser took the reader inside the labor revolts.
• The novel took an honest look at spousal abuse during the nineteenth century and how it was hard for women at the time to escape from their abusive husbands.
• There was a very interesting historical note at the end from the author. A lot of the happenings in the novel are true history from 1890s Australia.
• I recommend this for those that enjoyed The Thornbirds and The Man from Snow River.
Overall, The Night on the Darling River by Darry Fraser is historical fiction at its best with a well written, fascinating storyline and great characters set in 1890s Australia.
This review was first posted on my blog at: https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2025...
Tess Hawthorne has finally decided to leave her abusive husband. Unfortunately, she has boarded the wrong boat as it was moored in the wrong place, the Rodney, and her husband is on this boat. As tensions arise between union laborers and scabs shearers of sheep, the boat is attacked and set ablaze. Tess is attacked and her life is change forever. Will she be able to survive?
My thoughts on this novel:
• The storyline was very intriguing, and I had a hard time putting it down. Fraser did a great job of crafting the story with believable well-rounded characters and having their stories come together to make a great overall novel. It was well written, descriptive, moving, and heartfelt.
• I liked how the story revolved around four childhood friends, Tess and three men – her husband Alby Slattery, Brian Kempster her neighbor who always pined away for her, and Harry Goodwin the man Tess always had a crush.
• I enjoyed learning about the shearers strike and the flooding that occurred in the 1890s Australia along the Darling and Murphy Rivers. From the burning Rodney boat, to the labor camps, Fraser took the reader inside the labor revolts.
• The novel took an honest look at spousal abuse during the nineteenth century and how it was hard for women at the time to escape from their abusive husbands.
• There was a very interesting historical note at the end from the author. A lot of the happenings in the novel are true history from 1890s Australia.
• I recommend this for those that enjoyed The Thornbirds and The Man from Snow River.
Overall, The Night on the Darling River by Darry Fraser is historical fiction at its best with a well written, fascinating storyline and great characters set in 1890s Australia.
This review was first posted on my blog at: https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2025...
June 4, 2025
It was 1894 in Echuca, Victoria, where Tess Hawthorn lived. In love with Harry, she is left in the lurch when Harry runs off. She was made to marry Alby by her parents worried about her reputation. Alby was not very nice to Tess. He was very unpredictable and often hurt her. The ladies in the town knew what was going on and tried to make her leave him. Finally, she decided enough was enough and she would leave when Alby was away shearing. He was catching the riverboat the Rodney down on the wharf and on the same night she was going to catch the paddle steamer the Victor from the other end of the wharf. The night she was leaving there was a lot of unrest and tension at the wharf because of the unions and non-unionist shearers and scabs. Tess was dressed in Alby’s old clothes so she wouldn’t be recognized. Amidst all the unrest she gets pulled on board the wrong boat mistaken for a fellow scab; the same steamer Alby was catching going up the darling river.
As Tess is hiding from Alby, her old friend Bram sees her hiding. Bram was in love with Tess when they were kids, but she never knew it as she was smitten to Harry. Bram helps Tess as much as he can, but he has to leave to get to Renmark on business. Between the union fighting on the boat and the rain driving the Murray into flood, nobody is safe. Will Tess be able to overcome everything that has happened and find true happiness and love?
I really like this book! It’s centered around the Darling and the Murray Rivers and the historical town of Echuca. The characters are believable and while the plot can be a little slow the drama builds to a satisfactory conclusion. I loved the spirit of co-operation that shows through in regional communities in disasters and looking out of each other. I highly recommend this author as her stories relate to real and familiar places. Her knowledge of the areas she sets her stories in shines through.
As Tess is hiding from Alby, her old friend Bram sees her hiding. Bram was in love with Tess when they were kids, but she never knew it as she was smitten to Harry. Bram helps Tess as much as he can, but he has to leave to get to Renmark on business. Between the union fighting on the boat and the rain driving the Murray into flood, nobody is safe. Will Tess be able to overcome everything that has happened and find true happiness and love?
I really like this book! It’s centered around the Darling and the Murray Rivers and the historical town of Echuca. The characters are believable and while the plot can be a little slow the drama builds to a satisfactory conclusion. I loved the spirit of co-operation that shows through in regional communities in disasters and looking out of each other. I highly recommend this author as her stories relate to real and familiar places. Her knowledge of the areas she sets her stories in shines through.
November 18, 2024
Darry Fraser writes so often about life on the mighty rivers of Australia. "The Night on the Darling River" centres around life in 1894, primarily around the town of Echuca.
This is really Tess's story but we also follow the lives of others that grew up with her; Harry, Bram and Alby. Set against a background of shearer strikes and scab labour, tensions are high and a person's life is cheap. Riverboats are the main means of travel up and down the river networks. And as floods ravage the farmlands, landowners come to rely on each other and the old bonds forged in childhood.
But as always; there are villain's in life, who care only for themselves.
Tess is a victim of circumstance that means she married a violent man. Tess no longer knows herself, hanging onto the last shred of courage. Enough is enough and it's time to leave her lifelong home community. The physical act of making her escape could well cost her, her life. Changed forever in a physical way, but also emotionally.....squashed confidence and frayed nerves.
Historically true events support the story of Tess's journeys up and down the river and camp life of the time. Culminating in a coming together of all parties in Echuca for what can only be described as a grand showdown....will those who deserve it get their comeuppance? Tensions are as high as the river!
"The Night on the Darling River" was truly eye-opening, gripping and emotional. Sometimes the inner thoughts of characters slowed things down a bit for my liking and I was keen to skip on the inter person dialogue and get to 'what on earth will happen next'.
Tess is a heroine who deserves a love story.
Thanks to Harlequin and NetGalley for my introduction to the magic of Darry Fraser
This is really Tess's story but we also follow the lives of others that grew up with her; Harry, Bram and Alby. Set against a background of shearer strikes and scab labour, tensions are high and a person's life is cheap. Riverboats are the main means of travel up and down the river networks. And as floods ravage the farmlands, landowners come to rely on each other and the old bonds forged in childhood.
But as always; there are villain's in life, who care only for themselves.
Tess is a victim of circumstance that means she married a violent man. Tess no longer knows herself, hanging onto the last shred of courage. Enough is enough and it's time to leave her lifelong home community. The physical act of making her escape could well cost her, her life. Changed forever in a physical way, but also emotionally.....squashed confidence and frayed nerves.
Historically true events support the story of Tess's journeys up and down the river and camp life of the time. Culminating in a coming together of all parties in Echuca for what can only be described as a grand showdown....will those who deserve it get their comeuppance? Tensions are as high as the river!
"The Night on the Darling River" was truly eye-opening, gripping and emotional. Sometimes the inner thoughts of characters slowed things down a bit for my liking and I was keen to skip on the inter person dialogue and get to 'what on earth will happen next'.
Tess is a heroine who deserves a love story.
Thanks to Harlequin and NetGalley for my introduction to the magic of Darry Fraser
December 22, 2024
Set against the historical background of the shearers’ strike of the late nineteenth century and the burning of The PS Rodney, this story is at times harrowing, at times appalling and at other times carries a burning light of hope. Tess Hawthorn harboured a teenage crush on Harry Goodwin, but when Harry suddenly disappears and his sisters spread an ugly rumour about Tess, she finds herself in a forced marriage to Albert Slattery. The story opens fifteen years later and we see Tess trying to flee Alby, who is a drunk and a brute. With a mix-up at the wharves, Tess finds herself on a boat full of scabs heading off to shear the sheep that the shearers’ union has refused to touch unless they are paid a fair wage. Unfortunately for Tess, her husband Alby is on the same boat and what he does to her during the burning of the PS Rodney is utterly despicable. That Tess survives is a miracle. I admired her continued spunk and her determination to carry on in the face of a very uncertain future. I loved Tess and was thrilled when Bram Kempster came back into her life. He, too, has suffered hardship but like Tess he’s got spunk and is a thoroughly decent human being. I cheered him on as he wooed Tess and I cheered them both on as they worked to rebuild their lives. This book is fast paced and gripping, tells the story of a largely forgotten historical event in a fascinating and realistic way, and kept me reading way into the night. It’s definitely one for my keeper shelf.
January 15, 2025
In this intense and emotional new historical fiction novel, readers travel to 1894 Echuca in Victoria, Australia, where Tess Hawthorn is attempting to escape her abusive husband by taking the riverboat out. However, with labor tension between the unionist shearers and scabs, Tess is mistaken for a scab and ends up on the wrong riverboat, which is going the same direction as her husband. When her old friend Bram Kempster discovers her on the boat on his way to Renmark, he must confront his feelings for her even if she does not reciprocate. Forced into an uneasy partnership, readers will discover the labor tensions of rural Australia with Tess and Bram in this complex new novel. With domestic violence recurring throughout the novel, readers should be advised in advance of reading it, but the characters and their alternating perspectives give readers two different perspectives through which to understand these labor tensions that are so central to the novel. Having brought the atmosphere and rugged nature of rural nineteenth century Australia to life, readers will love the different conflicts layered on top of each other throughout the novel and how Fraser balances these different conflicts and perspectives in this intense new historical fiction title.
Thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Australia, HQ (Fiction, Non Fiction, YA) and MIRA for the advance copy.
Thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Australia, HQ (Fiction, Non Fiction, YA) and MIRA for the advance copy.
January 7, 2025
This was my first time reading a book by Darry Fraser. I appreciated her writing style – it stayed true to history, and easily transported you back in time. The pace of the story was great – I never felt like it was dragging which can sometimes be a problem with historical novels.
The plot was intriguing to me, but moreso was Tess’ journey and character arc. Fraser shows readers that there is hope, redemption, and so much potential for people no matter what they have gone through. Tess had so much to overcome. My heart went out to her as I have seen what abusive relationships can do to a women in modern day, I cannot imagine back in those days. I appreciated the way Fraser handled it.
Though parts of The Night on the Darling River were difficult to read (simply because of content, not the author’s writing ability), I found it to be inspiring and an overall great read. Please note – there is language found in this book that readers want to be aware of. For those that don’t mind strong language, I think you’ll find his a heartfelt and moving story to read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
3.5 stars
The plot was intriguing to me, but moreso was Tess’ journey and character arc. Fraser shows readers that there is hope, redemption, and so much potential for people no matter what they have gone through. Tess had so much to overcome. My heart went out to her as I have seen what abusive relationships can do to a women in modern day, I cannot imagine back in those days. I appreciated the way Fraser handled it.
Though parts of The Night on the Darling River were difficult to read (simply because of content, not the author’s writing ability), I found it to be inspiring and an overall great read. Please note – there is language found in this book that readers want to be aware of. For those that don’t mind strong language, I think you’ll find his a heartfelt and moving story to read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
3.5 stars
January 8, 2025
"The Night on the Darling River" is an emotional, insightful, and thought-provoking book from author Darry Fraser! The historical setting is described with details that make the setting, characters, and events of the book easy for the reader to understand and picture. The characters feel three-dimensional and like real people of that time period. This is a book that is compelling and very insightful. I now feel I have learned so much about Australia during that time period and about the historical events that this author has written about with such skill. This is a book that will make you think and feel so much all the while providing you with an insightful look into what life was like at that time. The speed of the plot is perfect, the writing style is smooth, the story itself is insightful and enthralling, and the historical elements of the book are carried out so well! 5 stars! I very highly recommend this book especially if you enjoy historical fiction.
Thank you very much to the author Darry Fraser, Austenprose PR, Harper Collins Australia, and NetGalley for the great opportunity of being a part of this book tour and for providing me with a digital copy to read and review honestly.
Thank you very much to the author Darry Fraser, Austenprose PR, Harper Collins Australia, and NetGalley for the great opportunity of being a part of this book tour and for providing me with a digital copy to read and review honestly.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews