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The Ferns: Sometimes Danger Can Hide in Plain Sight
The Ferns is a historical novel set in rural Australia in 1883. Jerrup is a small township west of Warrnambool in Southwest Victoria, where the Quinn family farm is situated.
When Eliza Quinn says her daughter is missing, the township of Jerrup is shocked. Eliza's husband discovers a bloodied fencepost and trampled ferns, and everyone assumes a body will be found. But there is no body, and all eyes turn to Duff McLure, the uneducated and unlikeable neighbour of the Quinns, to uncover the truth about what happened to twelve-year-old Katie.
McLure will hang for the murder of Katie, despite no body and his claim of innocence.
Katie tells her perspective, revealing how danger can hide in plain sight. There's a dark side to this place, marked by the history of the Quinns, the McLures, the family priest and the Aboriginal trackers, all of whom share a part in its shadowed past. In a story with twists and turns that dig to the core of family secrets, Katie carries the burden of knowing too much yet is unable to confide in anyone but McLure's son, her best friend William.
Burdened by the truth and overwhelmed with grief over his daughter's loss, John Quinn ultimately resorts to drastic measures.
The Ferns is a story of injustice, loyalty and love.
When Eliza Quinn says her daughter is missing, the township of Jerrup is shocked. Eliza's husband discovers a bloodied fencepost and trampled ferns, and everyone assumes a body will be found. But there is no body, and all eyes turn to Duff McLure, the uneducated and unlikeable neighbour of the Quinns, to uncover the truth about what happened to twelve-year-old Katie.
McLure will hang for the murder of Katie, despite no body and his claim of innocence.
Katie tells her perspective, revealing how danger can hide in plain sight. There's a dark side to this place, marked by the history of the Quinns, the McLures, the family priest and the Aboriginal trackers, all of whom share a part in its shadowed past. In a story with twists and turns that dig to the core of family secrets, Katie carries the burden of knowing too much yet is unable to confide in anyone but McLure's son, her best friend William.
Burdened by the truth and overwhelmed with grief over his daughter's loss, John Quinn ultimately resorts to drastic measures.
The Ferns is a story of injustice, loyalty and love.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 18, 2024
9 people are currently reading
4754 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 11, 2024
Good historical novel!
The author has a knack for making the reader forget the story is not in present day! The story line kept my interest! I was totally surprised at the end!
The author has a knack for making the reader forget the story is not in present day! The story line kept my interest! I was totally surprised at the end!
November 15, 2024
With thanks to Goodreads, I was selected as a giveaways winner. The story was intriguing, set in Australia in the mid-1880's, and focused upon the murder of an adolescent girl, her family, neighbors, and various others in their community. Mysteries inherently provide motivation for readers and Meridith Mckinnon does a nice job unraveling the events amid a large cast of characters and timelines.
I really wish, however, that the characters were introduced fully beyond their names and more relatable. Dialogue was scant in the unfolding of the plot and character reactions often seemed rather questionable and unbelievable. I found much of the story line to be rather predictable and the "twists" at the end were quite contrived. Part Two of the book, especially towards the end, is full of characters who suddenly (and miraculously) divulge who did what, when and where. Very little explanation is given regarding how these individuals came upon their revelations, and most importantly why they didn't earlier in the book. The book is rather rushed and could have been so much richer with more depth in the storytelling.
I really wish, however, that the characters were introduced fully beyond their names and more relatable. Dialogue was scant in the unfolding of the plot and character reactions often seemed rather questionable and unbelievable. I found much of the story line to be rather predictable and the "twists" at the end were quite contrived. Part Two of the book, especially towards the end, is full of characters who suddenly (and miraculously) divulge who did what, when and where. Very little explanation is given regarding how these individuals came upon their revelations, and most importantly why they didn't earlier in the book. The book is rather rushed and could have been so much richer with more depth in the storytelling.
November 14, 2024
The Ferns was such an intriguing, twisty, propulsive historical mystery. Dark and psychological, I had a hard time putting it down.
Set in rural Australia in 1883, a 12 year old girl named Katie Quinn is missing. With so many terrible men around, the reader can imagine any of them being her murderer.
Told in alternating voices, we hear Katie’s first person account of events before she disappeared and a third person view describing the town’s actions on the day of her disappearance and after. The changing time and voice took me a bit to get used to but was very effective is creating suspense.
The setting is very rich with descriptions of the landscape and the inclusion of aboriginals which added more intrigue to the story.
Just when I thought I had it all figured out, McKinnon added a final twist that blew me away.
Trigger warnings for rape (only told it happened) and suicide.
Thank you to the publisher for this kindle ARC. I was a Goodreads giveaway winner.
Set in rural Australia in 1883, a 12 year old girl named Katie Quinn is missing. With so many terrible men around, the reader can imagine any of them being her murderer.
Told in alternating voices, we hear Katie’s first person account of events before she disappeared and a third person view describing the town’s actions on the day of her disappearance and after. The changing time and voice took me a bit to get used to but was very effective is creating suspense.
The setting is very rich with descriptions of the landscape and the inclusion of aboriginals which added more intrigue to the story.
Just when I thought I had it all figured out, McKinnon added a final twist that blew me away.
Trigger warnings for rape (only told it happened) and suicide.
Thank you to the publisher for this kindle ARC. I was a Goodreads giveaway winner.
January 4, 2025
A real page turner, this one. I didn’t want to put it down.
When a young Australian girl disappears in November 1883c, two neighboring families are drawn into mystery, violence and dark secrets. This one is full of twists and turns. I was glad I knew nothing about the novel prior to reading it so that surprises weeen’t ruined.
While the characters could have been given more depth, the setting, the atmospheric feel, and the mystery made this a good read for me.
When a young Australian girl disappears in November 1883c, two neighboring families are drawn into mystery, violence and dark secrets. This one is full of twists and turns. I was glad I knew nothing about the novel prior to reading it so that surprises weeen’t ruined.
While the characters could have been given more depth, the setting, the atmospheric feel, and the mystery made this a good read for me.
November 2, 2024
Ferns
This was a great story that proves that wealth is not necessary. I was in shock at all the unlikely twists and turns of the story. Everything is believable but at the same time, shocking. No matter how bad things were. People survived and lived with secrets their whole lives. I couldn't put the book down. A great twist at the end.
This was a great story that proves that wealth is not necessary. I was in shock at all the unlikely twists and turns of the story. Everything is believable but at the same time, shocking. No matter how bad things were. People survived and lived with secrets their whole lives. I couldn't put the book down. A great twist at the end.
April 8, 2025
Overall pretty good book, definitely kept my attention and was interesting. The change in narrator/subject within the same chapters and even paragraphs was a little jarring throughout and idk why but it bothered me the shift from calling him young to Daniel 75% of the way through. Otherwise I liked it
May 6, 2025
The style of writing is not very engrossing because the author continually tells us how people are feeling/reacting or explains why they have reacted a certain way rather than showing the reader or allowing us to come to a conclusion ourselves based on character development. Gets a couple of stars because the storyline was interesting and explored the flawed justice system, but there was so much foreshadowing and emphasis on the pivotal details that the twists didn’t seem particularly surprising to me. I would be interested to know what sort of community consultation the author did with the local Indigenous people - they feature quite prominently in a way but don’t have much of their culture or lifestyle included, maybe this is purposeful to reflect how they were othered and dismissed during that time period, but it would feel much more respectful to have explored the story from the perspective of one of the Indigenous characters as well given there are already multiple perspectives included already. I do think the author has lots of potential and hopefully there will be a slightly more refined novel coming in the future!
October 1, 2024
This book kept me on the edge - it was a great read with a dramatic twist.
I liked how it was set locally to my area where I live, and how well the characters were developed.
I also liked how Indigenous people were included in the storyline, and how they were portrayed.
Recommend reading!
I liked how it was set locally to my area where I live, and how well the characters were developed.
I also liked how Indigenous people were included in the storyline, and how they were portrayed.
Recommend reading!
October 1, 2024
THE SUSPENSE! I was constantly on my toes with each twist and turn and looking forward to the next chapter to find out more on this multilayered book- Very moorish. Definitely recommend picking this one up as you won’t want to put it down!
November 23, 2024
Easy read with decently developed characters. Alternating time lines worked well in this book. A bit predictable but still an interesting story line. Overall, really enjoyed the book!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
January 13, 2025
#GoodreadsGiveaway
Thanks to Goodreads, I was selected as a giveaway winner.
The author described the Australian landscape beautifully.
The story kept me interested with the multiple twists and turns. I was caught off guard with the surprise ending.
Thanks to Goodreads, I was selected as a giveaway winner.
The author described the Australian landscape beautifully.
The story kept me interested with the multiple twists and turns. I was caught off guard with the surprise ending.
January 13, 2025
Excellent read. While I did question the timing and some of the actions of the characters, it was a great read.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews