Iluka

by Cassie Stroud

'Knife sharp perception ... fiction that is an absolute pleasure to read,' Emily Maguire, author
This vivid, engrossing, beautifully crafted family drama from an exciting debut author charts the hurtful messes, complicated relationships and profound loves of three siblings.


After their grandfather's death, siblings Helen, Sylvie and Brendan, and Helen's daughter, film student Tig, are gathered together at Iluka, a typical fibro beach house in a small town on the south coast. Iluka is the house they grew up in when their troubled mother ran away to the bright lights of the city, leaving their grandparents to raise them.

As they slowly clear the house for sale and relive various memories, they find a bundle of letters addressed to each of them from their missing mother, Marguerite, that were sent long after they'd been told she died.

Their world shifts on its axis, as the siblings begin to question everything they have been told. Why did their grandmother hide these letters? Was their grandfather complicit? And could the mother they thought they had lost still be alive?

Viewed through the unsparing eye of Tig's camera, we watch a family first implode then reform around a new reality, a reality that brings with it profound change in the way they view themselves and each other.

Genres: Contemporary, Family

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication January 28, 2026

About the author

Cassie Stroud is a writer, editor and fiction scout. She has worked as a bookseller at Brays Books, WellRead and Collins Booksellers. She also reviews books for fellow readers on her Instagram page.

She has a BA in Creative Writing, has completed writing mentorships with Kirsten Tranter and Emily Maguire, and the ‘Inside Story’ course with Tessa Hadley, via the Curtis Brown Institute.

Cassie lives in a 1950s house on Sydney’s north shore with her husband, son and their Siamese cat. Iluka is her first novel.

Reviews

[Michele (michelethebookdragon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

How is this a debut? We really do have some incredible writers here in Australia because this was such an incredible story.

Iluka is the house that Helen, Sylvie and Brendan grew up in. Not with their parents, but with their grandparents, Iris and Paddy. After being abandoned by their mother Marguerite when Brendan was a baby, they grew up in the idyllic seaside town of Beecham Point.

While they are cleaning out the house after Paddy's death their world is turned upside down and inside out when they discover letters to each of them from their mother dated well after they had thought her to be deceased.

With all of them carrying scars from their childhood, this revelation is devastating. Is their mother still alive?

The writing was so good. I got the feeling of Iluka and I could hear the ocean from the sunroom window, feel the creak in the floorboards, hear the gravel crunching on the driveway. I could sense the tension between these siblings that had long felt abandoned by their mother, then cheated of the chance of having a relationship with her.

There was such a range of emotions within these pages and the characters came to life so easily and quickly. Helen, the eldest, who remembers too much, Sylvie who is detached and stoic and Brendan who can only rely on what he has been told.

Another incredible debut by an Australian author. This story would translate to the screen so well and I would love to see that happen.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to HQ Insiders for my ARC in return for a review.

Iluka is Cassie Stroud’s debut novel, due for release in February 2026.

The family drama, where 3 siblings are thrown back together after their Grandfather passes away and they have to clean the house out and get it ready to possibly sell or do with however they decide. However, we soon find out that all was never as it seemed and there’s a shift in dynamics for each family member involved & they struggle in their own ways to deal with it.

I did enjoy the novel to a certain degree, but found it dragging along at some points.

I do however look forward to reading Cassie’s future books

[Caroline Poole · Rating 4 out of 5]

The quote about tangled webs created by first being deceived comes to mind, particularly when it’s close family connections that are entwined here.
This novel takes you deep into the family dynamics of Helen, Sylvia and Brendan following the death of their grandfather.
There are different perspectives, opinions and emotions displayed which really makes you consider that each individual has their own unique experience to work through, and so don’t we all.
Great Australian setting, love the beach and small town backdrop, enjoyed the time and narrative changes also.
Thanks HQ Insiders for the advance copy from an exciting debut author.😊

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three siblings grow up living g with their grandparents, thinking their mother passed away when they were young.
After their grandparents pass away they find a bundle of letters their mother wrote to them.
What happens when the truth you thought you knew wasn’t the truth?
Helen Sylvia and Bren work their way through this new reality with Helen’s daughter Tegan filming their interactions for her uni assignment.
How will each sibling deal with this news??

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 5 out of 5]

New South Wales, Beecham Point. After their grandfather's Paddy Kelly’s death, siblings Helen, Sylvie and Brendan, and Helen's daughter, university film student Tegan (Tig), return to Iluka, the old fibro beach house he built. The children grew up here, after their dysfunctional mother left them to live in Sydney and they were raised by their grandparents.

Helen isn’t sure if she wants to sell the dwelling, and despite it being rundown, and Sylvia and Bren do. They have to sort through decades of clutter, make piles to keep and giveaway and it brings up all kinds of memories.

They find a bundle of letters addressed to each of them from their missing mother, Marguerite, they were sent years ago and yet their grandmother Iris informed them she died. Helen, Sylvia and Brendan start to question everything they have been told, believing Iris was the instigator of the deceit and why did Paddy go along with it and could their mother still be alive?

The dual timeline narrative is told in three parts, in present time, the late 1970’s and early 1960’s and from the main characters points of view, Helen, Marguerite (Margaret) and Iris.

Helen is old enough to remember what it was like living in a share house with Marguerite and their absent father Jake, this had a huge impact on her and she was very protective of her younger sister and brother. Sylvia has trouble with committing, she’s restless and similar personality to her mum and Brendan can’t remember life before Beecham Point.

I received a copy of Iluka by Cassie Stroud from NetGalley and Harlequin Australia in exchange for an honest review. The gripping and cleverly layered family drama, looks at issues such as; complicated relationships, secrets and lies, siblings and how history has a habit of repeating itself, and teenage rebellion and drug addiction, abandonment, and the challenges of motherhood.

A five star debut by Ms Stroud, it will have you thinking about the Nowak children, Marguerite, and the pain and emotional damage both she and Iris caused long after you turned to last page and why some people shouldn't have kids.

[Jackie McMillan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book about four generations of women in the same family. After the death of their grandfather, Helen and Sylvie return to the home their grandmother Iris raised them in after the death of their mother, Margaret (Marguerite). They, and their sibling Brendan, are packing it up, and in doing so, stumble upon something that reframes how they see themselves and their mother. Helen's daughter, Tegan, is a film student, and captures the rupture on film. Helen, in particular, unravels: "It was just that all the things were so imbued with Iris and Paddy and their history, an emotional load that was intensified even further by the added tragedy of Marguerite, and under the weight of this she found it hard to even empty a single drawer."

In a pretty coastal locale this introspective book is surprisingly engaging. The only thing I didn't really like was the structure: going from the present day about halfway through to begin with Margaret's life, then straight after going back to her mother, Iris. I guess though what was interesting is why each of the women—Iris, Margaret, Helen—are the mothers that they were, and how that plays out on the personalities and mothering of the next generation. In short: intergenerational trauma.

The book is also a study of how three siblings react to and relate through the loss of a parent: "A triangle of moveable loyalty, affection and attention." None of the three are particularly likeable: "Helen and Sylvie spoke to each other as if trying to avoid injury on the prickly edges of each other's personality." However as the book plays out, and through Marguerite's letters, you get to see what bits of their personality preexisted losing her. For a bad mother, she's surprisingly sage: "But with Helen, well, she remembers the past. She knows. And I know she knows. If that makes sense? We have more to untangle."

With thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for sending me a copy to read.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sensitive story of a complicated family both coming together and falling apart. It is at once gentle and sharply perceptive. I found it quietly moving, and an absorbing and surprisingly fast read.

This is a novel about people, and so the action is pretty minimal. I found it absolutely riveting regardless: I was so interested in each member of this family and in the decisions they would make that I read it in an evening.

For example, a substantial part of what we see is framed by Tig’s camera. Helen’s daughter, and an aspiring film-maker, Tig is amassing footage for a uni assignement. She films both the environment and her family. But Tig is also hearing impaired. Stroud is very fuzzy about the cause of that impairment, the extent of it, and how Tig addresses it. But her descriptions of some of the daily challenges for a hearing impaired child are spot on, and sensitive. I speak as someone with a hearing impaired child the same age as Tig.

Tig is a step removed from the family drama, being younger and not knowing much of the history. I shared her interest in learning more, and I was curious to know what decisions she’d make about her footage and how it should be used – and if it should be used.

Each character comes to life in the same way: they’ve all got distinct personalities, have very particular problems, and are wrestling with big decisions. And they don’t necessarily agree on “family” decisions either. This is what hooked me into the book and kept me fascinated: these strong, vivid characters and the question of what they were going to do.

Stroud has a highly readable style, and although she often switches narrative perspective, you’re never in doubt about whose head you’re in.

This is very enjoyable to read, and has depth and complex issues which leave you with a lot to think about even after finishing the novel. Highly recommended.

[Stacy Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iluka is Cassie Stroud’s debut novel, a story centred on family, secrets, and the pull of the past.
I received an advanced copy to read and review.

The novel follows three siblings—Helen, Sylvie and Brendan—who reunite at their childhood home, Iluka, after the death of their grandfather, Paddy. Set in the coastal town of Beecham Point, Iluka sits close to the ocean and becomes more than just a house to be packed up and sold; it is a place steeped in memories and unanswered questions. Helen’s daughter, Tegan (known as Tig), joins them as the family gathers to sort through a lifetime of belongings.

The siblings have always believed their mother, Marguerite, died while they were living with their grandparents. That belief is shattered when they discover a series of letters addressed to them and to their grandparents—some written far more recently than expected. As the truth begins to unravel, long-buried questions surface: why were the letters hidden, did their grandfather know about them, and why were the children left to be raised by their grandparents in the first place?

Running alongside this emotional unravelling is Tig’s perspective. Filming the family’s time at Iluka for a university assignment, she becomes both observer and participant. Her growing friendship with the family next door, and a developing connection with one of them, adds another layer to the story and offers moments of light amid the family tension.

Stroud’s debut is rich with emotion and quiet intrigue, capturing the complexities of family relationships and the way the past continues to shape the present. The ending feels deliberately open, leaving the sense that Iluka still has more stories to tell. By the final page, I was left hoping this is the beginning of a series, as the characters and their history feel far from finished.

[Lee McKerracher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family relationships can often be awkward and convoluted. Families can drift apart and when unexpectedly thrown together, all sorts of issues can rise to the surface.

This is the case in Illuka. Paddy, the grandfather of siblings Helen, Sylvie and Brendan, has died and they have all assembled at his home on the NSW south coast. The home, Iluka, has many memories for the family, not all of them good.

Cleaning out the house, tests their relationship with each other and this is exacerbated by a stunning discovery. There are letters found from their mother. They thought their mother was dead, but these letters are dated well after the supposed date of her death. This news shocks everyone and throws them completely off balance. Can they believe anything about their childhood, why did their grandparents lie to them? If their mother is actually alive, then where is she and does she want to see them?

The story is told from a number of points of view and can, at times, feel a little disjointed because of this structure. However, these points of view are needed as we have to understand the various perceptions and histories members of this family have.

It is a different take on what can happen when the world is suddenly turned on its head and the backstories of the siblings, their mother - Marguerite - and their grandparents, make for a very interesting read.

[Theresa Canu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iluka by Cassie Stroud was a great debut novel. It tells the story of three siblings Helen, Sylvie and Brendan who go back to their grandparents home after the death of their grandfather. Helen's daughter, Tig, also comes with them. What should be a routine clean up to get the house ready for sale becomes more complicated when they find letters addressed to each of them from their mother. Long held family secrets start coming out and questions start being raised.
Any reader with siblings will definitely be able to relate to the dynamics between the siblings. Each one deals with the revelations in their own way and we can see how their personalities have been formed from their childhood.
The book is divided into four parts. The first part is the story of the siblings discovering the truth. The scond tells the story of their mother Marguerite. The third focuses on Iris, their grandmother and the fourth part brings the reader the decisions made by Helen, Sylvie and Brendan after the truth is revealed.
Although I did enjoy the book, I felt the sections about Marguerite and Iris left me wanting to know more. They jumped very quickly through their lives.
If you like a book that has family drama at it's core, then I do recommend it. I definitely found it intriguing . Thank you to HQ Insiders for the opportunity to read and review it.

[Isabeau Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Serene Read with Unfinished Business
I recently finished Iluka by Cathy Stroud, and it was a surprisingly calm and atmospheric experience. If you’re looking for a book that maintains a steady, peaceful pace without sacrificing intrigue, this is a great choice.

The writing has a gentle quality to it that made the reading experience feel very grounded.
Stroud weaves together some genuinely interesting storylines. I was impressed by the various plots and the clever twists she integrated into the narrative; they kept me guessing without disrupting the "calm" energy of the book.

My only real critique is the length. While the journey was enjoyable, the ending felt a bit abrupt. I felt the book needed to be a bit longer to properly service the depth of the plot. By the final page, there were several loose ends that I wish had been tied up more thoroughly.

A lovely, meditative story that fans of contemporary fiction will enjoy, though you might find yourself wishing for another 50 pages to bring everything to a full close.

[Tara Nikelis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iluka by Cassie Stroud is the story of a coastal house Iluka where Paddy was living. When he died his grandchildren who he helped bring up with Iris after their mother Margaret (Marguerite) died meet there together to sort out the house. Helen, Sylvie and Brendan are all so different and see their past quite differently. They cope in different ways and are then all thrown for a loop when letters to them from their Mum after they were told she died are found. Helen's daughter is filming all this for University and part of the book is seen through her eyes. We are taken back in time through the generations and intergenerational trauma is a theme of this book.
The characters are not always at their best but are very real. It is more emotion based, not so much action, and makes you think about all their experiences. Can they sort through their past to be able to face their future? Thank you HQ Insiders for my copy to review.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this debut novel from Cassie Stroud which tells the story of three siblings who return to Iluka, the home they were raised in by their grandparents. Divided into four parts, the story opens with the siblings coming together to sort through the house after the death of their grandfather. During the clean up they uncover letters from their mother that shake them to the core and makes them question everything they held to be true. Part 2 tells their mother’s story, part 3 is their grandmother’s story and part 4 brings us back to the siblings at Iluka. The four generations of family in the novel are all well drawn, giving a good sense of who they are and how their personalities have been shaped by past events. The sense of place is evident and evokes a clear image of a small New South Wales coastal town. This is an outstanding debut and I look forward to reading more from Cassie Stroud in the future.
Thanks to HQ Insiders for my review copy.

[Maree Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, congratulations to Cassie for a wonderful debut novel.

Cassie has created a complicated family drama, involving not one, not two, but four generations.

Helen, Sylvie and Brendan are siblings who were raised by their grandparents, Iris and Paddy, after the death of their mother Margaret (or Marguerite as she went by). After Paddy's death they return to their childhood home to pack it up ready to sell. Helen's daughter Tegan comes with them and films their efforts for a university assignment.

During the clean up letters are found that turn everything they thought they knew upside down.

The story is broken up into 4 parts, told from different viewpoints. This would have been 5 stars for me only I felt that there was something missing, especially from Iris's point of view.

Thank you to HQ Insiders for the advance copy of this book.

[Rachael Fernandes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks @harlequinaus for my HQ Insiders Team proof copy of Iluka by Cassie Stroud

Three siblings who have troubled pasts are reunited when a loved one passes.

They need to overcome their family dramas in order to move forward and clean out their family house.

Secrets unravel, memories unfold and hearts crumble as they sort through the dusty boxes.

Can the push of their family members bring happiness back into their lives?

[Holly Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book IIuka started out good with the family being thrown back together after their grandparents deaths. To sort out the house and to discover letters that their Mother that they thought was dead was in fact alive and well. The book then went into Margaret (their mother early life) and also Iris (grandmother's early life) before coming back into the present. Interesting storyline, look forward to Cassie's next book.

[Sarah Phillips · Rating 2 out of 5]

Iluka by Cassie Stroud focuses on themes like grief and identity, but I did not enjoy it very much. I found it hard to relate to the characters, as they did not feel very realistic or easy to connect with. The story felt very jumpy, moving quickly between events without enough explanation. It often felt like there were gaps in the storyline, which made the book confusing at times. While the book has some interesting ideas, the way the story was told made it difficult to enjoy.

[Tammy O'Keefe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cassie Stroud has written a thought-provoking debut novel, Iluka.

When siblings Helen, Sylvie and Brendan — along with Helen's daughter Tig — return to the weathered beach house of their childhood, they expect only to sort through their grandfather’s belongings. Instead, they uncover hidden letters and buried truths that crack open the fragile stories holding their family together.

Each sibling is pulled into a reckoning with memory, loss and the shifting tides of identity. The characters each have their own struggles which are now brought to the surface as they discover that their mother is actually alive. This brings up memories that are painful and hard, and so many questions that are now unknown.

Iluka is a compelling exploration of the ways families hold together and fall apart. A solid and memorable debut, with moments of real beauty and insight.


⭐ 3½ stars

[Pam Tickner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you HQ for the ARC of this book. After a slow start, the story picked up pace and intrigue as the three siblings who had been told their mother abandoned them and was dead, discover a different reality, and have to come to terms with how to deal with it.

[Veronica ⭐️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
A well written and perceptive debut.
Full review to follow shortly.