The Adventuress of Albany

by Darry Fraser

She yearns for adventure, but the road to freedom is paved with peril. The thrilling new historical adventure from a bestselling Australian author.


Albany, Western Australia, 1881

Stifled by English society, Molly Bentley has always yearned for adventure. When her father offers to send her to the bustling port town of Albany in Western Australia, Molly readily agrees, even if it means assuming a secret identity. With only her chaperone Mrs Caldicott to answer to, her life of freedom can finally begin.

Until Molly is knocked down in the streets, nearly trampled, and a threatening letter is slipped into her hands.

Suddenly, Molly and Mrs Caldicott must reckon with the darker motives behind their move to these southern shores. The women have no choice but to put their safety into the hands of the enigmatic colonial Leo McRae and his cousin Alistair who seem to know exactly who Molly and Mrs Caldicott are, and why they're in the colonies. But from whom has Mr McRae sourced his information? And why has Molly's father stopped replying to her messages?

Attempts are made on their lives, and their motley crew must undertake a dangerous journey from Albany to Adelaide and into rural Victoria to evade capture. As secrets are revealed and loyalties tested, will Molly ever be able to find the freedom she so desperately craves?

Genres: Historical Fiction

429 pages, Paperback

Published November 25, 2025

About the author

Best-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.

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Molly Bentley was startled by the warning yell, but was still knocked to the mud and slush by the approaching horse. When she was picked up and carried inside a nearby home, it was the beginning of a new adventure, but one that Molly wasn't completely enamoured with. Molly and her Aunt and chaperone, Mrs Caldicott had journeyed from England to Albany in Western Australia, with the blessing of Molly's father, Lord Cato. They were to travel incognita with name changes, and settle into the colony where no one would know them. It was 1881 and there were plenty of rough characters around, but they were prepared - or thought they were.

It was soon obvious to Molly and Mrs Caldicott that someone from the old country knew they were in Albany, and worse, knew who they really were. When attacks were made, and someone close was murdered, Mr McRae, colonial, and his cousin Alistair, were by their sides. But why? Molly was annoyed. Who were these men? And how did they know Mrs Caldicott, and the newly met Mrs Sloane? Decisions were made, and suddenly the party were headed to Adelaide and after a period of time, Victoria. Molly was frustrated - would she ever know the peace she was searching for?

The Adventuress of Albany is another exceptional historical novel by Aussie author Darry Fraser which I thoroughly enjoyed. Reading her notes at the end, and how she came to write this story, is interesting. Trove is a great resource! The main characters are superbly written, especially the urchin, Joey. He was beloved by all. I have no hesitation in recommending The Adventuress of Albany highly, as we follow Molly and friends across the continent.

With thanks to NetGalley & Harlequin AU for my digital ARC to read and review.

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 5 out of 5]

1881. Albany Western Australia. Molly Bentley is almost thirty and she’s always wanted to travel and have an adventure, and she’s excited when her father Thomas sends her to the new colony with her chaperone Mrs Colette Caldicott.

Here, Molly is knocked down in the street, almost trampled by a horse and a letter is slipped in her hand and just as she loses consciousness. Molly wonders is her father caught up in something political, or are debt collectors chasing her widowed companion or is it something more sinister? The ladies have no choice but to put their trust and safety with colonial Leo McRae and his cousin Alistair Dunsford and the two men know their true identities. So along with an orphan boy Joey Crocker and midwife Mrs Sloane, they travel to Adelaide to country Victoria.

This all concedes with Queen Victoria’s grandsons Princes Albert and George, who were training as midshipmen aboard HMS Bacchante they arrived in Albany and are visiting the same places.

I received a copy of The Adventuress of Albany from NetGalley and Harlequin Australia in exchange for an honest review. Darry Fraser uses real facts from her through research, scrolling through newspaper articles on Trove, and her imagination to write another fast paced and interesting historical escapade story.

The narrative is full secrets, falsehoods, lies, deception, and danger and with the lots of unexpected twist and turns. I really liked Molly’s character, a huge big piece of information has been kept from her, and she faces her fair share of adversity and doesn't want to return to England.

The story will have you sitting on the edge of your seat and in my case trying desperately trying not bite my nails while Molly and her companions deal with trials, setbacks and drama. Five stars from me, I highly recommend and another cracker of a novel by Ms Fraser.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fabulous story from such a wonderful story-teller, this one had me with the title, I knew it was going to be awesome, come along and meet the wonderful characters in this one.

Molly Bentley has lived her life as Lady Mary Brinkley in England with the father Lord Cato and aunt but when her father offers her a chance to do something that she has always wanted and that is travel and find adventure in the colonies she jumps at the chance and is loving being in Albany with her chaperone Mrs. Caldicott, her aunt but then everything changes quickly when Molly is knocked down in the street by a horse and given a letter that is threatening.

She is saved from the road and carried into a house by a Mr. Leo McRae and attended to by midwife Mrs. Sloane people she has never met before but soon Molly is learning more about why her father sent her and her aunt to Australia and there is danger everywhere. Telegrams are being sent to and from the homeland and not only by Molly, it appears that there are other people involved in all of this and Molly is determined to get the answers she wants and to know why Mr. McRae and his cousin Alistair appear to have been sent to watch over her and her aunt.

When attempts are made on their lives that take a journey across the colonies towards Victoria and Molly learns more, a secret that will change everything that Molly has known about her family, the group that is travelling together Molly, Mrs. Caldicott, Leo McRae, Alistair, and Mrs. Sloane and young Joey are staying safe but there is always a feeling of danger, will they all make it to their destination.

This is such an adventure, danger abounds and secrets are uncovered, friendships are formed and love grows through it all, it takes in the royal Prince’s visit to the colonies in 1881 which was very interesting but above all else I loved Molly and Leo and loved their adventure, after all that has happened will Molly finally get the adventure she really craved and with the man that has won her heart?

I do highly recommend this one, a true adventure.

My thanks Harlequin AU for my copy to read and review.

[Gloria (Ms. G's Bookshelf) · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️5 Stars⭐️
Darry Fraser’s latest historical fiction novel The Adventuress of Albany is filled with secrets, blackmail, false identities and intrigue. The author takes you on an extraordinary adventure that begins in Albany, Western Australia in 1881. I absolutely loved this well written and engaging read, I was captivated from start to finish.

The characters throughout the story are wonderfully engaging and the plot is beautifully crafted. Molly Bentley our protagonist is a very likeable young woman who’s smart and takes risks, she’s been stifled by English society and longs for freedom and adventure so her father allows her to leave for Australia with her companion, Lady Colette under secret identities for their safety.

They are soon discovered by some seedy characters and a perilous journey begins as they are aided by Leo McRae and his cousin Alistair. This book has everything including family, love, murder, atmospheric settings and mystery.

Their journey is mirrored almost by Queen Victoria’s grandson’s, Prince Albert and Price George who are onboard the HMS Bacchante that arrives in Albany.

You can truly appreciate the author’s meticulous research of colonial times in the Australian colonies for the setting of this book. It felt like time travel and I was back there in 1881!

Publication Date 25 November 2025
Publisher HQ Fiction Australia

Thank you so much Harlequin Australia for a copy of the book

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good historical mystery, how have I never read this author before?! Thank you to Harlequin Australia for this surprise book mail, it was a delight to read. It is fun to step back in time for a few hours and learn something about the past about this wonderful country that I live in. I always wonder how I would cope living in these times, so different from the modern world.

Molly Bentley is one tough cookie. She is a woman ahead of her time in 1881. She has always yearned to travel and finally the opportunity arises when her father sends her off to the colonies of Western Australia with her aunt Collette to stay safe from his enemies. Loving her freedom in Albany until she is run down by a horse and suddenly she finds herself on the run to stay safe.

There was such a wonderful cast of characters in this book. I loved Molly and her determination. Romance is not my thing but I really did enjoy it in this story and I wanted her to get her happy ending. Travelling across Australia by horse and wagon would be rough and the author really gives the reader a sense of what that journey would have been like. I did like the tie in the real life royal visit as well .

A great escape to the past. I always enjoy historical fiction, especially Australian books when I read them. I must do it more often.

The Adventuress of Albany is out on November 25th and I highly recommend it.

[✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰Janeane ✰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another amazing adventure from Darry Fraser.

It took me a little while to get into The Adventuress of Albany, but once I got into it, it really hooked me.

Molly and Colette have come to Albany WA on an adventure - and what an adventure it is.

However, they did seem to get lost a bit in the story, once Leo and Alistair enter the picture. All their lives are intertwined, but at the same time there is so much happening in each of their lives that they are all (to me) a bit mixed up.

As with all Darry Fraser books, I spent as much time googling historic events as I do in the story. I learned a lot of things that I did not previously know, so thank you for that.

Again, this is just a me thing, but I did find, when things really heated up, that I was thinking "really? This is happening to them now?" I felt that there were so many misadventures on their journey that it became a bit too much. And I also felt that things with Molly's father etc could have been dealt with and brought forward earlier in the book. However it all brought us to our wonderful ending, so I can't complain.

A sweeping tale across land and sea, I was kept needing to know what happened next.

I wonder what Ms Fraser's wonderful imagination is going to bring us net.

Thank you for my copy Netgalley, Harlequin and Darry.

[Cindy Spear · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Adventuress of Albany is another rollicking and mesmerising Australian historical mystery romance from Darry Fraser! Hang on to your hats because you are in for a wild ride with more bends and flips, identity surprises, lurid blackmail, shocking secrets, hair-raising action, boundless plot twists and threads galore that go off on in so many directions it kept me on my toes! But in great Darry Fraser fashion, there is a purpose in every road bump and detour. These things are not just space fillers. But each trailing piece is part of the big picture. Eventually after breakneck speed, it all pulls together in a comprehensible blend for the grand finale! But I must say, I was breathless trying to keep up at times. I marvel at Darry’s imagination and how it manages to conjure up so many ideas, events, locations and moment by moment happenings and descriptions—many of which have been pulled from the pages of history and used in a clever way. As always, reading Darry’s novels is like watching a movie. Scene by scene unfolds, while the senses go into overdrive. I could feel every movement emotionally and physically, hear every sound, see vividly the surroundings and smell the scents that abound. I was always conscious I was back in 1881.

Molly Bentley is a feisty likeable character who yearns for freedom from English society’s class expectations and pretensions. She craves adventures that will offer her variety and new experiences. Her father suggests she get away to Albany in Western Australia: ‘a picturesque town…where they should begin their adventure.’ But she must go under an assumed name and ‘be out of the way of troublemakers’. So, accompanied by Mrs. Caldicott, her chaperone, she goes and enjoys the clean air and ‘rough and tumble’ of the colony. We wonder: why must she keep her identity secret?

The novel opens like a dramatic scene of a movie with clear visuals, scents and sounds. We see a busy street, hear a boy yell and feel Molly’s ‘sickening thud’ as she is knocked down and comes dangerously close to the dancing hooves of an alarmed ‘screaming’ horse. While lying on the ground, the scent of freshly dropped manure hits her nostrils. Although stunned by the jolt, she clutches a note that was thrust in her hand seconds before. While the pain in her head increases, she goes unconscious. Then wakes to a woman named Mrs Sloane who is asking questions to see if her memory is impaired by the accident. We learn then, that Molly is in Albany, Western Australia and a ship carrying the royal princes Albert and George is anchored in the bay. Immediately we get a taste of Molly’s humour and wit with her shared thoughts on various characters—especially haughty Mrs. Hurtle! It is evident throughout the novel she is a rebel, yearns for adventure and is in the pathway of peril. But why is she a target? What is at stake?

After meeting Mr McRea, her rescuer from the street, she learns he knows a lot about her, including her real identity. She wonders who provided this information? I won’t reveal how he acquired this but I will say he is a special character that is important in the plot. He is a gentleman and becomes a great protector of Molly. Do sparks fly between them? You can guess that answer! But he has taken on another responsibility that will challenge his heart.

When too many weird and dangerous things begin happening, Molly and Mrs Caldicott are forced to put their lives in the care of Leo McRae and his cousin Alistair. This journey to keep these ladies safe becomes a daunting and tumultuous one.

A few favourite characters, besides feisty Molly and Mr McRea, is a little boy who comes into their lives. He was often a scene stealer. There are some moments of sadness connected to him that brought tears from my eyes. And a few bad scenes with criminals trying to do the bit harm. Mrs Caldicott, the chaperone, has quite an intriguing story, too. She may be on the run from debt collectors, disgruntled in-laws or someone else? More mystery and mayhem surround this motley crew of travellers.

There are some political themes with Lord Thomas Cato’s support for Ireland. And royalty concerns with the two princes (Queen Victoria’s grandsons) coming to visit Australia. With these two things running in the background, more layers are added to the plot possibilities. I won’t say how these affect the story but read it and see!

The Adventuress of Albany is an exciting, dramatic mystery with a tender dash of romantic magic— wrapped in lots of heart, action and history! And don’t forget that gorgeous cover that oozes the picturesque Australian landscape and the fiery personality of Molly. She is the perfect romantic character in this wild remote setting who has had a tough ride to freedom but who wins it all in the end: the handsome loving man, a rollicking new adventure and a chance to start afresh. Her losses are great but her gains are greater as they outshine the trials. A fun, entertaining and informative read, by the colonial Historical Fiction Queen, Darry Fraser! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to HQ Fiction and Netgalley for my review copy.

[Helen - Great Reads & Tea Leaves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darry Fraser once again proves why she is such a favourite of Australian historical fiction readers with The Adventuress of Albany. Drawing on meticulous historical research and her trademark gift for storytelling, Fraser brings Australia’s early colonial days vividly to life. Her novels are always a hit because they balance authentic detail with rollicking, human stories that feel immediate, dramatic, and deeply grounded in place.

Set against the rugged and often unforgiving backdrop of early Albany, the novel follows a determined and spirited woman carving out a life in a harsh new world. Fraser explores themes of resilience, survival, ambition, and independence, showing how courage and adaptability were essential traits for those living on the edges of settlement. The landscape, social tensions, and everyday hardships of the era are woven seamlessly into the narrative, making the history feel lived rather than simply observed.

One of the book’s great strengths is its epilogue, which provides fascinating background on some of the real historical issues and events reflected in the story. This added insight deepens the reader’s understanding of the challenges faced during the period and highlights just how carefully Fraser has researched her material.

The Adventuress of Albany is an engaging, well-researched, and thoroughly enjoyable read that will appeal to both long-time fans and newcomers to Darry Fraser’s work.

[Craig and Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big thanks to Harlequin for sending us a copy to read and review.
If you enjoy an engaging, well written and adventurous historical fiction with a splash of romance and a dollop of mystery then go no further than our own Darry Fraser.
Darry’s latest The Adventuress Of Albany is a fantastic read.
I ate this up like it was my last meal, there was so much to enjoy.
The history, the setting, the characters, the plot, the combination of all made for an excellent story.
Be taken back to 1881.
Molly Bentley was born to take risks and she is bored of English society.
So when her father suggests an adventure across the seas to Albany, Western Australia, Molly accepts.
Travelling with Mrs Caldicott, her new life has begun even though their are under a new identity.
When Molly is knocked down and passed a secret note the peril starts.
They soon meet Leo McRae and his cousin Alistair and a journey begins.
But danger and jeopardy is just around the corner…….
Darry continues her reign as a must read of this genre.
Her tales give the reader such insight, intrigue and plenty of narrative layers all woven together making the book highly readable.
The research is meticulously detailed and you get taken away with the landscape aura.
I loved it from cover to cover.
A captivating and entertaining book.

[Claire Louisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
Review to come

[Emilie (emiliesbookshelf) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much Harlequin for gifting me a copy of this wonderful Australian historical fiction novel. My first Darry Fraser novel and wow what an introduction

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Set in 1881, where 30 year old Molly Bentley is still searching for adventure and hoping to leave the stuffy English surrounds. Her father offers to send her and her chaperone Mrs Colette Caldicott to Albany, in Western Australia which is a booming port

She jumps at the chance while having to assume a secret identity for her safety. When she is threatened in the streets a chance encounter with charming Leo McRae and his cousin Alistair sets her planned freedom on dangerous path. When she realises Leo and Alistair already know who she is and have been sent to guard her even more questions swirl

So well researched you become completely immersed in the era. Molly is a wonderful leading lady, caring, smart and very loyal.

This wonderful novel has it all, beautifully written settings, fabulous characters, deception, slow burn love, family and heart

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Maree Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore Darry Fraser books so was especially looking forward to reading this!
Her characters are so real and relatable.
What a wonderful tale she has woven here, with her Adventuress, Molly.
Molly, Mrs Caldicott and Leo McRae, along with the cast of other major and minor characters, lodged themselves in my heart. I became invested in their story and travels, laughing and crying alongside them.

Another brilliant offering from Darry and I look forward to seeing what she comes up with next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for the digital ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Marles Henry · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Adventuress of Albany was a slow building Australian colonial history drama filled with mystery and romance set in 1881. It is rich with witty dialogue, intrigue, and colonial details weaving together royal visits, political tensions, criminal threats, hidden identities, the loss of treasured companions and a sweeping landscape stretching from Western Australia to South Australia and then rural Victoria.

Molly Bentley (originally Lady Mary Brinkley) was fiery and adventurous, yearning for independence away from her father’s (Lord Thomas Cato) nobility. She travelled to Albany, Western Australia under an assumed name with her chaperone, Miss Caldicott (her aunt Lady Colette also under an assumed name) and almost immediately became the target of unknown adversaries. Her life in Australia involved danger and navigating a smouldering romance with Leo McRae, Mary’s rescuer with hidden connections to Mary’s past and the wider political landscape in both colonial Australia and England. Leo was accompanied by his cousin, Alistair (also with ties to Miss Caldicott), tasked to 'watch' over the royal princes’ visit to Australia, and to keep Mary’s hidden identity safe.

The twists and secrets very slowly built into a rollicking story that gained momentum: murder attempts, kidnappings, fires, ambushes, gunshots and mysterious assailants forced all the protagonists into perpetual motion including Mrs Sloane who also knew Lord Cato, and urchin Joey who was saved from the streets. The rough colonial landscape was harsh and unforgiving, the horse and wagon travel across it was perilous. This geographical expanse of Australia reflected Mary's search for her independence in an unknown place. The benefits of her found family in this strange land helped her navigate adventure after risky adventure where romance and happiness was a reward. Thanks #harpercollinsaustralia for the #gifted copy.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not going to lie, I was very confused at the start of "The Adventuress of Albany" by Darry Fraser. I assumed Molly was our leading lady but then we got sidetracked by Mr Leo McRae and his cousin Alistair. Are they in Australia in relation to the royal princes visit? Or are they actually part of Molly's story?
I really got stuck into enjoying this story about forty percent through. The action really stepped up...murder, kidnapping, strange meetings in the street, bricks through windows and a house set on fire! Time for Molly and her growing band of supporters to move on.
From Albany we go to Adelaide and by wagon and four horses, we travel up into rural Victoria. The scenery is spectacular (what an epic movie this would be) but the troubles follow!
Romance is unfolding but seems to be destined not to be permanent for Molly (who is now Mary).
Darry's imagination must keep her up at night....so many complex stories within the story. And twists and turns of action that keep us on our toes. Thankfully, inevitably the lies and falsehoods are revealed for Mary, whose character I did like.
Only marking down for my initial confusion.
Thanks to HQ Fiction, NetGalley and Darry Fraser for my copy

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you pick up a Darry Fraser book you know you are in for a real treat. Rich in detail, The Adventuress of Albany takes you on a journey across Australia from Albany to Melbourne the year 1881.

✨ Molly Bentley is secretly living in the bustling port town of Albany, under a new identity with her chaperone Mrs Caldicott. But as attempts are made on their lives they have no choice but to trust that colonial Leo McRae and his cousin Alistair to keep them safe. Both who it turns out know the womens true identities.

The motley crew undertake a dangerous journey across Australia to evade capture where secrets are revealed and loyalties tested.

✨ I really enjoyed the setting and the characters in this book. I especially had a soft spot for young Joey who joins the group on their journey.

Secret identities, deception and danger form part of a brilliantly paced narrative. The suspense had me in the edge of my seat and then bam…there are twists you don’t for a second see coming!

It was such a good read. I definitely recommend it to lovers of historical fiction! Thank you to @harlequinaus for a copy to read 💕

[Leeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in 1881 between May and July, mostly in Albany, Western Australia, Glenelg, South Australia and Victoria. A historical romance, full of action and murders.

Lady Mary Brinkley and her aunt, Lady Colette are travelling in Australia, they left their home in Yorkshire and were staying in a rented house in Albany. There was some concern over their safety, so they were travelling as Molly Bently and Mrs Caldicott. Mr Dunsford and Leo McCrae were staying close by in case they needed protection.

Lots of twists and turns and fast paced. This was about family relationships, identity and secrets.

I loved the descriptions of Albany and the changes in the landscape as Mary and her aunt travelled from Albany to Victoria.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher HQ Fiction for a chance to read and review this E-Book. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

[Kylie H · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the latest book by this author and I am quite a fan.
The book starts in Albany, WA in the 1880's with Molly Bentley and Mrs Caldicott, her chaperone on an 'adventure' from England. It is not immediately apparent what they are 'fleeing' from, but when Molly is knocked over in the street and taken to the house of Mr McRae - things take a sudden turn and it becomes imperative that they all leave Albany.
Molly and Mrs Caldicott make their way from Albany to Adelaide and then onto Hamilton in Victoria. At the same time, two grandsons of Queen Victoria and travelling through Australia and the festivities and celebrations follow their journey. Unfortunately so does tragedy and Molly and her chaperone find themselves with a young orphaned boy named Joey. Mr McRae and his cousin Mr Dunsford are also along for the journey and have their own concerns for their company as well as their futures in the colony.
Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Australia for the opportunity to read this digital ARC.

[Melissa Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a journey Darry Fraser has taken me on upon reading The Adventuress of Albany.

When Molly and Mrs Caldicott find themselves in a predicament, a Mr Leo McRae and his cousin Alistair find themselves in the need to assist them. Especially since a minor comes into their care with a midwife who helps them.

What is unbeknown to them, is someone is out to cause trouble for them. The 6 characters travel from Albany by many means, to which situations always seem to occur.

Darry has written a story that reflects what happened during that time period and added characters who are strong and capable of being true to their origins.

[Anabela · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a mixed read for me. The first half is definitely a slow burn, taking its time to build the world of colonial Australia with richly researched details and a cast of characters who all seem to be hiding something. But once I hit the midpoint, the pace really picked up and I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next.

There are plenty of secrets woven through the story, and truly—no one is really who they say they are. Fraser blends mystery, hidden identities, and an immersive colonial setting, making the second half especially engaging.

Overall, a solid historical mystery, even if it took a little while to find its rhythm.

[Roslyn Stillman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book by this author that I have read. It was an interesting read. The characters were well written and the storyline very interesting. I enjoyed the twists and turns and surprises. There is some interesting history that shows the research that was done for this book, which increased the interest in the story that made it enlightening to read. Being set in Australia was a nice change from London or the Wild West. I look forward to reading more by this author. I received this as an ARC from Netgalley and freely give my review.

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the beginning of this it is clear that everyone is hiding some sort of secret. As the story unfolds, these secrets come out, along with lots of assaults, murders and a lot of travelling by horse and cart. I loved reading about events set in places that I have visited and some that I know well. The characters were vivid, especially Joey and Mrs.Sloane. A rip roaring yarn that was very entertaining.

[Natalie Jana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took a while to get into it because I didn’t feel connected to the characters. I also wasn’t a fan of the ending. I wanted Leo to have the balls to say he wanted Mary. If Helena didn’t elope with the other guy, he would’ve married her. That really annoyed me.

[Caroline Moorhouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fantastic book from Darry Fraser I little bit of history mixed with a love story and a happy ending

[Kelley]

Darry Fraser writes well but this was a bit contrived and predictable but I liked the characters.

[Sally906 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Adventuress of Albany is an excellent read, an absolute page turner with non-stop action, and twists and turns, from the very first page. And the secrets! Everyone has secrets! And just as you think a character has revealed all their secrets - more come. A plot based on secrets, lies, deception, political shenanigans and love - wow!

The story opens with the MC, Molly, being knocked down in the street and almost trampled by a horse. A note is slipped into her hand by a young boy just as she loses consciousness. Rescued by Leo McRae and his cousin Alistair Dunsford, the reader learned very quickly that Molly has assumed a secret identity, as has her chaperone Mrs Caldicott, and the two men know exactly who they are, and who Molly’s father is. A series of further attacks leaves Molly with no other options than to trust Leo and Alistair to protect them. The four of them - along with the young boy Joey, and a midwife, Mrs Sloane, travel from Albury to Leo’s family home in Victoria via Adelaide.

Molly has always yearned for adventure - so when her father sent her to the colonies for her safety as he tries to put a controversial law through the English Parliament, she jumped at the chance. But have his enemies tracked her down, or are they after her chaperone? Or could the ensuing drama have anything to do with the arrival of Queen Victoria’s grandsons, the Princes Albert and George, who are training on the HMS Bacchante and are visiting the same places as Molly and her travelling companions.

All is eventually revealed. While I read the book I laughed, I cried, I got angry and I was shocked. I also learned a lot about Australia in the 1880s. I have read all of Darry Fraser’s books and absolutely recommend this book as well as her other ones.

Thank you to HQ fiction for providing an advanced copy of this book, at my request, for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own