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Crow

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When gentleman farmer Harold Crow dies after routine surgery in rural Tasmania, his death exposes a web of forbidden love, secret offspring, and devastating betrayals that will tear two families apart. 

Local GP Dr David Boyd fears his secret affair with Harold will surface at the inquest. His wife Morven hides her own hurtful truth…Nurse Nathan Wentworth fears his malpractice may have killed Harold. But he's not the only one with blood on his hands.

When Harold’s daughter Primrose comes home to Albert Falls for the funeral, she inherits more than her father's business – she inherits his secrets and has to confront harsh truths. As a marriage crumbles and alliances shift, the Boyd family will use any weapon to protect their lies and reputations. 

Set in the stunning landscape of Tasmania’s southern highlands, this blend of classic Australian family saga and medical intrigue brims with unexpected twists and turns, revealing Rhonda McCoy as a natural and cinematic storyteller.

312 pages, Paperback

Published August 26, 2025

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Rhonda McCoy

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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Profile Image for Rowan MacDonald.
216 reviews661 followers
August 21, 2025
I love it when authors vividly capture the atmosphere and landscape of my home – Tasmania. Rhonda McCoy has certainly achieved this, ensuring her debut novel is a memorable read filled with characters that will stay with me.

Small town drama is unleashed when Harold Crow dies following routine surgery. Secret affairs are soon revealed, along with surprise offspring, devastating betrayals and one sudden death. The ripple effect unfolds across one year and guarantees lives will never be the same.

“Jeez Louise, what a tangled web he’d got himself mixed up in.”

Albert Falls was a great setting, a place that felt truly alive and could’ve easily been any regional Tasmanian town. It’s compelling, descriptive writing that effortlessly harnesses the atmosphere of location to elevate what is already a gripping story with twists and turns. You can practically breathe in Tasmania – it transports you there. As someone who has lived in a small Southern Midlands town, it portrays the place accurately – the secrets laying under the surface, eclectic bunch of locals and regional challenges mixed with natural beauty.

“In a small town, you never knew who might be offended, or take information back to the source, edited to their own agenda.”

Rhonda makes bold choices for a debut author, yet writes with confidence and authority across multiple character arcs that weave their way through the narrative like a thick Launceston fog drifting up the Tamar. She slowly reveals secrets while hinting at more, peeling back layers of character until they feel like people you know – I couldn’t put it down!

Some characters are loveable, while others detestable. They are well-developed, never falling into cliche stereotypes. I loved the character of Morven, wife of the town doctor – her journey of transformation was inspiring, alongside her heartwarming Scottishness. Nathan and Cynthia were excellent characters too. I enjoyed how their relationship developed – we need more mother hens!

“Against all odds, she had developed such a soft spot for this brash young man.”

There’s something in the water at Albert Falls – you could be forgiven for thinking you’ve stepped into a maternity ward – I’ve never read a book with this many pregnancies and babies! But that’s also a reflection of small-town living, where pregnancy rates are high and everyone knows each other. These are messy, complicated lives – yet isn’t that true for many of us? Rhonda finds the beauty in that.

The changing seasons were an effective way of framing the story. I enjoyed the late 90s setting too, while medical aspects were incredibly authentic, highlighting issues within our health service – Rhonda clearly draws from her extensive career! The coronial inquest was vividly portrayed also, making me feel like I was in the court room.

Crow is the best debut novel I’ve read this year. I’m already looking forward to reading more from Rhonda in future!

Many thanks to Ventura Press for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Brenda.
5,087 reviews3,017 followers
October 30, 2025
The small town of Albert Falls in the Southern Highlands of Tasmania saw the Boyd family - Dr David Boyd, his wife Morven, daughter Isla and son Lachlan - well known with all the locals. Cynthia was Matron at the local hospital with Dr Boyd and his many staff operating the place. When local farmer, Harold Crow, died in the hospital after routine surgery, the case was immediately in the spotlight, with the coroner calling for an inquiry to be held in Launceston. Nurse Nathan Wentworth had arrived to work in the hospital for three months, prior to the death, and immediately Dr Boyd and his son wanted to get rid of him. What began next was a mix of heartache, intrigue, loss, secrets and lies - and they were all involved. From Harold's funeral to another one a year later, the family's dramas and hurts had stretched everyone to breaking point...

Crow is the debut novel by Aussie author Rhonda McCoy and set in 1999 in Tasmania, a beautiful state with wild countryside and harsh landscapes. Some characters were unlikeable - and meant to be, so done well - while others were wonderful. Morven was my favourite by far, with Nathan and Cynthia up there as well. Nathan was one I wasn't sure of, but I grew to like him. I'd like to thank friend Rowan for his review, which is what made me want to read this one. Recommended.
Profile Image for Amina .
1,328 reviews41 followers
October 11, 2025
✰ 2.25 stars ✰

“This funny little town sucks in scandal and exhales judgement. As effortless as breathing in and out.”

cutie-penguin-that-feeling-dizzy-because-got-hurt-i662g2enh7x7mt28

I did not enjoy this; it was not bad writing, it was just not a good story ​for me​.​ 🙅🏻‍♀️ I can't put my finger on what was off about this. it's not that this particular family put Hal Crow on this pedestal of which only in his death did they seem to knock him off of it. It's not the odd pacing of the narrative, that as an entire year, secrets unfold and relationships dissolve during that time.

David's pov seemed deliberately pushed to the side to excel on the secrets the females had to harbor. Lachlan became a caricatural villain with his disappointing behavior, because someone needed to be the bad guy and take the fall. ​I was not satisfied or happy with how Morven and David's relationship was resolved. The hospital matron Cynthia needed to get off her high horse and actually behave a bit decently. Nathan ​also got off too easy, imo.​ 🙎🏻‍♀️​

Isla was always so high-key emotional and dramatic. primrose, God, I don't even know where to begin with how people can behave like that. 🤦🏻‍♀️​ I know people used to do this, but I can't imagine in 2000, she would even That practice just made me so squeamish!! Yes, I know it is natural and plausible, but it felt so wrong, given the circumstances of the closeness of their dynamic.​ 😕

“I want something, anything, to happen to move us through this unbearable impasse.”

It's not how each chapter or perspective ended in this dramatic fashion, in which I felt like I was watching a tv show set in Aspen Falls, and the episode would fade to black with each thematic reveal or proclaim of change.​ 🙄 It wasn't the middle that seemed to drag on, with just each burden of truth unleashing itself that I kept wondering where it would all connect.

It was not all that. It was just this underlying tone of unpleasantness of these characters that rubbed me the wrong way. The writing was simple. I did not have much to highlight; in a way, one would argue that it ​plainly depicts the normalcy and simplicity of these characters, going about their daily lives until this certain untimely death rattled their wits and unearthed buried secrets.​ 😮‍💨

“Just when you think your own life is shit, you’re reminded that others are doing it just as tough.”

But, I didn't like any of them.​ 🙂‍↔️🙂‍↔️ I could not sympathize with any of them, because the tone, maybe, was not delivering it well. Nathan was such a slimy and unlikeable character; yes, I know Lachlan deserves more of my rage, but Nathan wasn't a saint either. And considering how they treated each other during their marriage, I felt it highly odd that Morven and David could reconcile.​ 🤨

All the messiness even concerning Hal's questionable death seemed brushed off and unclear to me towards the end. And the angle of the story seemed to be more to emphasize on how the female characters, through the power of honesty and friendship, broke free from their existing restraints and triumphed in the face of their personal hardships, while the male simply existed to spread their seed.... Very vague, I know, but I wanna keep it that way....​ 😔
Profile Image for Craig and Phil.
2,238 reviews134 followers
September 6, 2025
Big thanks to Ventura Press for sending us a copy to read and review.
Albert Falls is about to learn secrets that have remained behind closed doors and will rock the sleepy Tasmanian town with their consequences.
The medical community are at the forefront of the intrigue.
The death of gentleman farmer, Harold Crow unleashes a tide of drama.
Revelations, affairs and violence surfaces as the town deal with the aftermath and truth.
Local Doctor David Bolt is under pressure as it is revealed that he had intimate history with Harold.
An unexpected inheritance cements the bond that existed.
Arrogance and anger rise up as David’s son lashes out.
Set in Tasmania using a combination of real and fictitious places added to the intrigue of the plot.
The medical side was fascinating as drama emanated the closed circles. Tension and suspense added to the mix and enhanced my enjoyment.
Profile Image for Blue.
1,733 reviews130 followers
August 20, 2025
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Thank you Ventura Publishing for this book in exchange for an honest review

Crow by Rhonda McCoy is dark, twisty, and just the right amount of eerie that you can’t help but be drawn into, which makes Crow’s still impossible to put down. It’s got that perfect mix of grit, suspense, and sharp character work that keeps you hooked from page one. When I tell you that I legit read this book in a day – I am not kidding! The book was over and completed before I even knew it! McCoy’s writing is vivid and punchy, pulling you straight into the shadows and not letting go until the very last page. Creepy, compelling, and totally binge-worthy. You looking for a gritty next read – Then look no further than the Crow!
Profile Image for Rina.
1,610 reviews84 followers
September 13, 2025
3.5 stars.

When gentleman farmer Harold Crow dies after routine surgery in rural Tasmania, his death exposes a web of forbidden love, secret offspring, and devastating betrayals that will tear two families apart. Local GP Dr David Boyd, his wife Morven, and nurse Nathan Wentworth have their own secrets and concerns. And when Harold’s daughter Primrose comes home to Albert Falls for the funeral, she inherits his secrets and has to confront harsh truths.

Given the book opened with a death, I mistakenly thought this would be a crime fiction. I soon realised it was a family drama instead, with complex entanglements, hidden (juicy) secrets and agendas!

The writing in this one was atmospheric, especially when describing the beautiful landscape of Tasmanian’s southern highlands. Rhonda’s writing has also been described as cinematic and I fully agreed. The opening funeral scene really played like a movie in my mind, and I pictured the character introductions vividly.

While initially thinking Nathan was the main character, I wasn’t disappointed to switch focus to Morven as she was an outstanding character. I loved her portrayal as a strong, quiet woman behind her husband. I really enjoyed her relationship with her daughter, and her developing friendship with Cynthia. In fact, this was the highlight of the book for me! It was also great to see Morven growing more assertive and confident throughout the book.

This was one of those books that I’d recommend jumping in blind. Enjoy the twists and dramas to the fullest! It was a great debut, and I’m looking forward to the author’s next book.

(Thanks to DMCPR Media and Ventura Press for a gifted review copy)

See my bookstagram review.
116 reviews
November 20, 2025
Fantastic first novel, congratulations and wonderful to read a book written by a local! Great plot, location and cast of characters. My only feedback is that the first 90+ pages felt very full-on with a little happening which took a bit to absorb. After that it settled down but still so much to pull together, which she did very successfully. An enjoyable read, which locals will be able to relate with to our known place names! Congratulations Rhonda.
Profile Image for Beau.
12 reviews
October 20, 2025
Borrowed from the library. Well written, but a bit like a gossip magazine.
27 reviews1 follower
November 7, 2025
The writing is fine but I just got a bit tired or the author trying to include every little thing that became problems amongst the families. Some authors do this and I find it detracts from what could be a better formed story. Sometimes the problem had shallow outcomes. I just waited for the next problem - even got one in the last paragraphs!
315 reviews16 followers
August 27, 2025
Crow opens with a young man standing in the chill dampness of the Arthur River Cemetery people watching. His commentary is somewhat disturbing; a funeral is to be held outdoors in the bleakness that is a Tasmanian Spring.

Through the opening chapter each character is introduced, leaving behind a sense of wondering what is going on and why there are so few, but so many attending this funeral. Who is the stunning, smartly dressed woman who arrives late and why are there only five chairs set out for mourners to use?

Rhonda McCoy has in her debut novel Crow captured a very defined sense of atmosphere, broody, almost creepy, a sense of the past history of the Church hanging over the event; the funeral of Harold Crow, a man respected and admired by the local community.

His death was unexpected; a Coronial inquest is to be carried out  into the events leading up to his death in the local hospital where Dr David Boyd, a very dear and close friend of Hal’s had practiced for many years, as had his father before him.

Hal’s death sets off a train of events bringing with it hatred, mistrust, devastation and death before acceptance and renewal can begin.

Many strings are woven together to form the close-knit community of Arthur River, one that can strike down as easily as it can support as the Boyd family are forced to confront so many carefully hidden issues, the townspeople all to ready to sit in judgement as much of the Boyd’s past and present is too be lived out in the public domain.

Crow is a riveting read of tragedy, friendship, love, understanding and forgiveness created from a visit to a small town in Tasmania that simply begged to be the setting for a novel and a chance meeting with a farmer in South Australia who helped form the character of Harold ‘Hal’ Crow.

Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Kate.
244 reviews9 followers
September 5, 2025
‘Makes me wonder what other secrets you’ve been keeping from me all these years…’

The death of Gentleman farmer* Harold Crow is the catalyst that exposes a series of long held secrets for the Boyd family over an explosive year. And there’s some really juicy stuff in there, major town gossip.
Set in fictional Albert Falls, Tasmania in 1999.
Albert Falls is a fertile town. Full of fertile people. With a genuine love of infidelity, fine wool coats and Christmas Eve pedicures.

If you ever wondered what life was life pre Netflix, what the people did with their down time, it seems like a good solid affair was the answer.

This is a twisty turny ride, heavy on plot and driven by its intriguing characters.
And there are some fascinating personalities and relationships to unpack.
I was here for the drama!
And that’s what ‘Crow’ is - one big complicated family drama, set in a beautiful part of the world, with some impressively accurate medical grounding.

I did initially expect a bit of a crime element and I think the confusion over book genre actually came from the cover and the misleading blurb ‘Albert Falls seems like the perfect place to keep secrets. Secrets which are worth killing for.’
It’s not about a revengeful murder, it’s very much about the drama and bombshell revelations.
Enjoy!

*Gentleman farmer which is just a delightful phrase and I hereby go by Gentlewoman Physiotherapist.

Thank you to
@rhonda_mccoy_writer
@venturapress__
@dmcprmedia
for having me along on the #crowbooktour !
250 reviews7 followers
September 24, 2025
Hard to believe this was a debut novel. Well written and with engaging characters, dialogue, and story lines. I loved the twists and turns, following the paths of those involved with the death of a local gentleman farmer. Loved the setting [my home state] and understood the complexities of a health care crisis outside a large city. There were aa few surprises along the way, but I am happy with how it was all wrapped up in the end. An interesting and enjoyable read.
2 reviews
December 22, 2025
It started off really strong, but I was pretty sick of it by about half way through. The Scottish lyricisms felt unnatural and overdone, and I think too many plot points were crammed in to be resolved believably. Also, Tasmania technically has ravens, not crows.
Profile Image for Caitlyn Moore.
47 reviews
October 25, 2025
Unexpected (and some guessed) twists - a great debut novel!

Rhonda McCoy’s Crow is a moving and beautifully written story about grief, healing and the search for connection after loss. It explores how the unexpected death of a loved one can leave questions unanswered while also revealing hidden truths.

Set in a small Tasmanian town, the novel explores how people respond through heartbreak and change. The stillness of the landscape and the rhythm of country life mirror the story’s themes of reflection and recovery. McCoy’s writing shines in the small details, capturing moments of silence, shared understanding and the gradual return of trust.

Crow is a tender and thought-provoking read. It reminds us that strength can be found in community and that hope often returns in the most unexpected ways.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews

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