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Detective Dave Burrows
Emerald Springs
When suspicions are wrongly aimed at Amelia following the theft of proceeds from the local rodeo after a crash and grab, she must work with a sceptical rural detective to clear her name - and that of the man she loves.
Mystery and romance abound in the new novel from the bestselling author of Crimson Dawn.
After finishing university, Amelia Bennett returns to Jervois and promptly falls in love with the wonderful - if broke and slightly stubborn - Paul Barnes. Now she's determined to lose her old reputation for being scatty and unreliable by proving herself as the treasurer of the local rodeo committee and making the forthcoming rodeo a huge success.
Flushed with triumph on the evening of the best rodeo in the town's history, Amelia is driving the record proceeds into town when she becomes the victim of a terrifying crash and grab. Injured and distraught after her ordeal, she's even more devastated when she later finds out that she and Paul are the objects of gossip and suspicion in town.
To prove her innocence and that of the man she loves, Amelia must convince a sceptical rural detective that her account of what happened does add up and that he must help her track down the real culprits...
With its cracker plot, feisty heroine and engaging love story, Emerald Springs will have you reading well into the night.
Mystery and romance abound in the new novel from the bestselling author of Crimson Dawn.
After finishing university, Amelia Bennett returns to Jervois and promptly falls in love with the wonderful - if broke and slightly stubborn - Paul Barnes. Now she's determined to lose her old reputation for being scatty and unreliable by proving herself as the treasurer of the local rodeo committee and making the forthcoming rodeo a huge success.
Flushed with triumph on the evening of the best rodeo in the town's history, Amelia is driving the record proceeds into town when she becomes the victim of a terrifying crash and grab. Injured and distraught after her ordeal, she's even more devastated when she later finds out that she and Paul are the objects of gossip and suspicion in town.
To prove her innocence and that of the man she loves, Amelia must convince a sceptical rural detective that her account of what happened does add up and that he must help her track down the real culprits...
With its cracker plot, feisty heroine and engaging love story, Emerald Springs will have you reading well into the night.
364 pages, Paperback
First published March 25, 2015
38 people are currently reading
275 people want to read
About the author
Fleur McDonald
44 books544 followersAfter growing up on a farm near Orroroo in South Australia, Fleur McDonald’s first job was jillarooing in the outback. She has been involved in agriculture all her life, including helping manage a 8000-acre station for twenty years. Today Fleur and her energetic kelpie, Jack, live in Esperance, Western Australia,
Fleur is the author of 23 bestselling novels and two children's books.
Fleur chats about her daily writing life on her blog http://fleurmcdonald.com,
Facebook - Fleur McDonald Author
Instagram @fleurmcdonald
Tiktok @fleurmcdonaldauthor
Fleur is the author of 23 bestselling novels and two children's books.
Fleur chats about her daily writing life on her blog http://fleurmcdonald.com,
Facebook - Fleur McDonald Author
Instagram @fleurmcdonald
Tiktok @fleurmcdonaldauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
August 26, 2019
Amelia Bennett was surprised and honoured to be named Treasurer for the Rodeo Committee in her little hometown. She was determined to make the rodeo a success and being younger than the other members, she went the social media route and had many more interested. The rodeo proved to be more successful than anyone had imagined but when Amelia drove to the bank with the takings, she was brutally attacked; the victim of thieves.
Detective Dave Burrows from Adelaide was in town for a rural crime seminar and being on hand, immediately began investigating the attack, along with the two local cops. But when Amelia herself, and her boyfriend Paul were subjected to more than one interrogation, Amelia realized she needed to find the culprits. But could she? Her suspicions were all over the place…
Emerald Springs by Aussie author Fleur McDonald was another cracking romantic suspense – high on the suspense! Fast paced and intense, I was kept guessing until the end. I was very pleasantly surprised to see Detective Dave Burrows hiding away in this one. It was like meeting up with an old friend 😊 Highly recommended.
Detective Dave Burrows from Adelaide was in town for a rural crime seminar and being on hand, immediately began investigating the attack, along with the two local cops. But when Amelia herself, and her boyfriend Paul were subjected to more than one interrogation, Amelia realized she needed to find the culprits. But could she? Her suspicions were all over the place…
Emerald Springs by Aussie author Fleur McDonald was another cracking romantic suspense – high on the suspense! Fast paced and intense, I was kept guessing until the end. I was very pleasantly surprised to see Detective Dave Burrows hiding away in this one. It was like meeting up with an old friend 😊 Highly recommended.
September 1, 2017
Emerald Springs is about how two people found happiness and acceptance in a small rural community. Amelia Bennett came back to her home town of Clare after college to show the town that she has changed. To show then Amelia accept the position of the Rodeo Treasurer. Detective Dave Burrows came to Clare to investigated a string of robberies and to catch up with Kate. While Detective Dave Burrows was in Clare Amelia was attacked and robbed on the way to deliver the Rodeo money to the bank. The readers of Emerald Springs will follow the twist and turns into Detective Dave Burrows investigation to find who attack Amelia and the string of robberies. Also, readers of Emerald Springs will follow and see what happens to Dave and Amelia.
Reading Emerald Springs allows me to understand why Detective Dave Burrows was suspended in Sapphire Falls. I enjoyed reading Emerald Springs. The more I read Fleur McDonald books I I love the way Fleur McDonald entwines her characters and plots. I love the way Fleur McDonald combines both scenarios at the end of Emerald Springs, and I was surprised by the conclusion of this book. I like Fleur McDonald writing style, and she differently knows how to keep her readers glued to their stairs. Reading Emerald Springs started me to think about the financial hardships for farmers with the Australian Economic Climate.
Readers of Emerald Springs will learn about law enforcement procedures in rural areas. Also, readers will learn how to run business in the countryside. Reading Emerald Springs, you will learn about running and managing a Rodeo.
I recommend this book.
Reading Emerald Springs allows me to understand why Detective Dave Burrows was suspended in Sapphire Falls. I enjoyed reading Emerald Springs. The more I read Fleur McDonald books I I love the way Fleur McDonald entwines her characters and plots. I love the way Fleur McDonald combines both scenarios at the end of Emerald Springs, and I was surprised by the conclusion of this book. I like Fleur McDonald writing style, and she differently knows how to keep her readers glued to their stairs. Reading Emerald Springs started me to think about the financial hardships for farmers with the Australian Economic Climate.
Readers of Emerald Springs will learn about law enforcement procedures in rural areas. Also, readers will learn how to run business in the countryside. Reading Emerald Springs, you will learn about running and managing a Rodeo.
I recommend this book.
January 19, 2021
This was quite an enjoyable story, lightly and easily told with a genuinely Australian 'feel' to it. I enjoyed the rural Australian setting and the extensive, strong and well written cast of characters. It is not a short book, weighing in at 364 pages which I do feel could have been narrowed down a bit with more organisation in the early part of the book.
After completing a degree in commerce, Amelia 'Milly' is living in her small home town of Torrica in her childhood home at her parents farm, just her, her brother Graham and her old fashioned parents. She is quite happy with her small business doing the books for a few of the local farmers, working on the committee organising the rodeo, and looking forward to a future with her boyfriend Paul.
The less happy parts of her life include the fact that her mother is cold and unloving towards her, while doting on her brother, that Paul is hardworking but left brock after his father squandered his farm and fist and foremost; she has one of those 'reputations' that in small towns seem to last event unto the third generation. As a teenager Milly apparently got a rep for being ditzy and unreliable, this is a source of major insecurity for her and she is constantly feeling like she has to 'prove herself'. This insecurity is a bit of a plot element or I might not have had much patience for it, in the same way I am bewildered by people choosing to live in places that do not seem to make them happy - still many people do choose this, and I did have to keep reminding myself how young Australians can graduate from university.
The backbone of the plot is when, late after an extraordinarily successful rodeo, Milly and one lone helper are driving the takings to the bank and Milly is assaulted and robbed. This is just one in a series of robberies with escalating violence that have occurred in the district and Adelaide has already sent a detective who is luckily on hand to help the inexperienced local police deal with Milly's case. Dave has the job of investigating a lot of disparate crimes with insufficient evidence, but at the same time reigniting a relationship with an old flame, who just happens to be Milly's aunt.
Often I find myself at odds with the back cover description of the book contents, this time I feel that it overemphasised Amelia's involvement in tracking down the perpetrators and certainly her involvement with Dave the detective but despite that small disparity it was an enjoyable book, strong on rural setting, including the beautiful Emerald Springs of the title, (which was so well described I wanted to hike up a hill and see it for myself) and also very strong on characters.
I did feel like the book was a sit scattered at first; it started just before the robbery, before we knew the characters and the scene, backtracked into a lot of backstory before reaching the robbery all over again and then kept going. Not sure about the chop and change of the start and I was never really terribly convinced by Milly and Paul as a couple. Other than those small niggles I really enjoyed it.
After completing a degree in commerce, Amelia 'Milly' is living in her small home town of Torrica in her childhood home at her parents farm, just her, her brother Graham and her old fashioned parents. She is quite happy with her small business doing the books for a few of the local farmers, working on the committee organising the rodeo, and looking forward to a future with her boyfriend Paul.
The less happy parts of her life include the fact that her mother is cold and unloving towards her, while doting on her brother, that Paul is hardworking but left brock after his father squandered his farm and fist and foremost; she has one of those 'reputations' that in small towns seem to last event unto the third generation. As a teenager Milly apparently got a rep for being ditzy and unreliable, this is a source of major insecurity for her and she is constantly feeling like she has to 'prove herself'. This insecurity is a bit of a plot element or I might not have had much patience for it, in the same way I am bewildered by people choosing to live in places that do not seem to make them happy - still many people do choose this, and I did have to keep reminding myself how young Australians can graduate from university.
The backbone of the plot is when, late after an extraordinarily successful rodeo, Milly and one lone helper are driving the takings to the bank and Milly is assaulted and robbed. This is just one in a series of robberies with escalating violence that have occurred in the district and Adelaide has already sent a detective who is luckily on hand to help the inexperienced local police deal with Milly's case. Dave has the job of investigating a lot of disparate crimes with insufficient evidence, but at the same time reigniting a relationship with an old flame, who just happens to be Milly's aunt.
Often I find myself at odds with the back cover description of the book contents, this time I feel that it overemphasised Amelia's involvement in tracking down the perpetrators and certainly her involvement with Dave the detective but despite that small disparity it was an enjoyable book, strong on rural setting, including the beautiful Emerald Springs of the title, (which was so well described I wanted to hike up a hill and see it for myself) and also very strong on characters.
I did feel like the book was a sit scattered at first; it started just before the robbery, before we knew the characters and the scene, backtracked into a lot of backstory before reaching the robbery all over again and then kept going. Not sure about the chop and change of the start and I was never really terribly convinced by Milly and Paul as a couple. Other than those small niggles I really enjoyed it.
December 12, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It grabbed my attention and it had me turning the pages quite quickly. If you enjoy reading suspense then this one is for you. This author is fast becoming another favourite of mine. Highly recommended.
March 25, 2015
Amelia Bennett has finished university and returned to her small home town. She’s living on her parents farm and working doing the books for them and for other local farmers. She’s also become involved with the rodeo committee and was surprised and thrilled to be elected treasurer. The rest of the committee have been serving for a very long time and Amelia has lots of fresh and new ideas to broadcast the event far and wide, particularly by utilising social media.
After the resounding success, it’s Amelia’s job to get the takings to the bank. It’s a lot of money and Amelia is nervous, especially when she can’t get the amount of escorts that she’d really prefer. On the way, she’s the victim of a terrifying carjack, assaulted and the money stolen. Amelia is left tasered on the side of the road and she’s devastated when she realises that the money is gone. As a teenager, Amelia had a bit of reputation as being careless, or a bit bubble-headed and she’s determined to prove herself. There were people who didn’t approve of her appointment and now Amelia feels as though she’s just confirmed their reservations and let a lot of people down. She’s even more upset when she realises that she’s even considered a suspect by some, masterminding the attack on herself to throw people off the scent.
Although she knows that she’s innocent, Amelia can’t help wondering if someone that she knows might be guilty. Local thefts have people concerned and it has to be someone with local knowledge. Amelia guiltily even finds herself suspecting people close to her. There’s a detective in town to investigate all of the thefts but it might just be up to Amelia to find the evidence needed to discover the culprit.
Emerald Springs is Fleur McDonald’s sixth book and is set in country South Australia. Amelia is a young graduate who is determined to prove herself as a new, responsible adult back in her home town. She’s on the verge of being engaged to a young man named Paul who is doing his absolute best to turn his family farm around which his father ran into the ground. Amelia is excited to move forward with Paul, for them to be together properly but Paul desperately wants things to be right before Amelia can move in with him. Amelia also faces the obstacle of her mother’s disapproval, who clearly seems to think Paul will turn out like his father.
The beginning of Amelia’s stint as treasurer of the rodeo committee doesn’t go well when the car she is driving is forced to stop and thieves both assault her and steal all of the money. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for Amelia – people change and she was desperate to shed the image she’d acquired as a teenager and prove herself as worthy and responsible now. The way in which some people were critical of her reeked of both small-town judgement and also sexism, from some of the older farmers/workers. Amelia is a big vague – she forgets meetings sometimes because she’s caught up dreaming for her future and she could’ve taken more safety precautions when transporting the money but at the same time, she could never have really foreseen what would happen and chances are, it wouldn’t have prevented it anyway. It’s possible that more people would’ve ended up injured. After the accident she finds herself suspecting lots of different people, including even very fleetingly, the idea that perhaps her fiance Paul was involved. Amelia knows there was something about one of them, she just can’t remember what and it’s causing her to look at everyone suspiciously from Paul to her own brother to people she’s known forever.
I have to admit, I kind of like when authors fool me and Fleur McDonald managed that nicely here, because I thought I had it all figured out and turned out I didn’t! I really appreciated that because I didn’t see it coming but then when it was revealed, it was something that I didn’t have too much trouble believing and it just seemed to fit. I also really liked the way that the story touched on the roles of gender particularly within Amelia’s family. It’s clear that if not for her father, Amelia wouldn’t actually have a role on the farm at all and that everything is going to go to her brother, an idea that is really outdated in this day and age and yet still seems prevalent in farming circles. At times Amelia’s mother’s attitude towards her seemed really hostile and I found her quite frustrating. I think an attempt was made to justify this but I would’ve liked another scene between Amelia and her mother at the end.
I really enjoyed this book – it kept me engaged from the very first page and I was twisting my mind in knots trying to work everything out. I really appreciated the little side plot too of Dave, the detective who gets sent to investigate the local thefts and educate the community on how they can help prevent them in the future and his past with Amelia’s aunt who was a really fantastic character. Fleur McDonald obviously knows small country farming towns and I really felt the community as a whole, the good and the bad. Amelia is a fun character but with a thread of determination and grit underneath and I loved her core group of friends. Would love to see her cousin Chelle get a book at some stage! This was a fabulous story from an author whose books I’ve really come to love and I always appreciate the depth to them and the way that they attempt to showcase rural life, warts and all.
After the resounding success, it’s Amelia’s job to get the takings to the bank. It’s a lot of money and Amelia is nervous, especially when she can’t get the amount of escorts that she’d really prefer. On the way, she’s the victim of a terrifying carjack, assaulted and the money stolen. Amelia is left tasered on the side of the road and she’s devastated when she realises that the money is gone. As a teenager, Amelia had a bit of reputation as being careless, or a bit bubble-headed and she’s determined to prove herself. There were people who didn’t approve of her appointment and now Amelia feels as though she’s just confirmed their reservations and let a lot of people down. She’s even more upset when she realises that she’s even considered a suspect by some, masterminding the attack on herself to throw people off the scent.
Although she knows that she’s innocent, Amelia can’t help wondering if someone that she knows might be guilty. Local thefts have people concerned and it has to be someone with local knowledge. Amelia guiltily even finds herself suspecting people close to her. There’s a detective in town to investigate all of the thefts but it might just be up to Amelia to find the evidence needed to discover the culprit.
Emerald Springs is Fleur McDonald’s sixth book and is set in country South Australia. Amelia is a young graduate who is determined to prove herself as a new, responsible adult back in her home town. She’s on the verge of being engaged to a young man named Paul who is doing his absolute best to turn his family farm around which his father ran into the ground. Amelia is excited to move forward with Paul, for them to be together properly but Paul desperately wants things to be right before Amelia can move in with him. Amelia also faces the obstacle of her mother’s disapproval, who clearly seems to think Paul will turn out like his father.
The beginning of Amelia’s stint as treasurer of the rodeo committee doesn’t go well when the car she is driving is forced to stop and thieves both assault her and steal all of the money. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for Amelia – people change and she was desperate to shed the image she’d acquired as a teenager and prove herself as worthy and responsible now. The way in which some people were critical of her reeked of both small-town judgement and also sexism, from some of the older farmers/workers. Amelia is a big vague – she forgets meetings sometimes because she’s caught up dreaming for her future and she could’ve taken more safety precautions when transporting the money but at the same time, she could never have really foreseen what would happen and chances are, it wouldn’t have prevented it anyway. It’s possible that more people would’ve ended up injured. After the accident she finds herself suspecting lots of different people, including even very fleetingly, the idea that perhaps her fiance Paul was involved. Amelia knows there was something about one of them, she just can’t remember what and it’s causing her to look at everyone suspiciously from Paul to her own brother to people she’s known forever.
I have to admit, I kind of like when authors fool me and Fleur McDonald managed that nicely here, because I thought I had it all figured out and turned out I didn’t! I really appreciated that because I didn’t see it coming but then when it was revealed, it was something that I didn’t have too much trouble believing and it just seemed to fit. I also really liked the way that the story touched on the roles of gender particularly within Amelia’s family. It’s clear that if not for her father, Amelia wouldn’t actually have a role on the farm at all and that everything is going to go to her brother, an idea that is really outdated in this day and age and yet still seems prevalent in farming circles. At times Amelia’s mother’s attitude towards her seemed really hostile and I found her quite frustrating. I think an attempt was made to justify this but I would’ve liked another scene between Amelia and her mother at the end.
I really enjoyed this book – it kept me engaged from the very first page and I was twisting my mind in knots trying to work everything out. I really appreciated the little side plot too of Dave, the detective who gets sent to investigate the local thefts and educate the community on how they can help prevent them in the future and his past with Amelia’s aunt who was a really fantastic character. Fleur McDonald obviously knows small country farming towns and I really felt the community as a whole, the good and the bad. Amelia is a fun character but with a thread of determination and grit underneath and I loved her core group of friends. Would love to see her cousin Chelle get a book at some stage! This was a fabulous story from an author whose books I’ve really come to love and I always appreciate the depth to them and the way that they attempt to showcase rural life, warts and all.
September 28, 2015
I love the direction Fleur McDonald, Australian rural fiction author takes in her books. In Emerald Springs, McDonald’s sixth and latest release, she delivers another exceptional read. She successfully combines tough rural issues with crime, mystery and a little romance. Emerald Springs features a strong and determined heroine in Amelia Bennett. Amelia has recently returned home the rural community of Torrica, after finishing university. Taking up an opportunity to work as Treasurer at the local rodeo, Amelia hopes that the position will give her an opportunity to prove herself and diminish the community’s perception of her being irresponsible. Things look like that are going her way when soon after commencing her position as Treasurer, the rodeo experiences its best night ever. This means Amelia is asked to transport the large amount of cash associated with the successful night. However, things take a turn for the worst when Amelia becomes the victim of a robbery. Shaken up by the ordeal and feeling like she is back at square one in reshaping her community image, Amelia is further taken aback when she and long term boyfriend Paul are cast as suspects. Proving that she and her boyfriend are innocent will take all Amelia can muster.
Emerald Springs was another unputdownable novel by the talented voice of rural fiction, Fleur McDonald. The plot was completely engaging and the pace spot on. What I love most about McDonald’s books and Emerald Springs in particular, was the strong rural crime theme. It adds the perfect level of suspense and mystery to the novel. I just had to keep turning the pages at breakneck speed to find out who the culprits were. There was a great twist too, which I did not see coming, keeping me on my toes. There are some strong themes in this book that combine well to increase the readability of the book. I thought the issues involving the Bennett family were handled with insight and sensitivity. McDonald has cast a cracker of a heroine in Amelia. I admired her persistence in getting to the bottom of the robbery. The romance in this novel is subtle, but this was more than fine with me as I was so caught up in the crime and suspense elements. Once again McDonald’s knowledge and love of the rural landscape shines through in her writing. It is always a joy to read her descriptions of rural life.
Emerald Springs is another winner for Fleur McDonald, she just keeps getting better, roll on the next one!
Emerald Springs was another unputdownable novel by the talented voice of rural fiction, Fleur McDonald. The plot was completely engaging and the pace spot on. What I love most about McDonald’s books and Emerald Springs in particular, was the strong rural crime theme. It adds the perfect level of suspense and mystery to the novel. I just had to keep turning the pages at breakneck speed to find out who the culprits were. There was a great twist too, which I did not see coming, keeping me on my toes. There are some strong themes in this book that combine well to increase the readability of the book. I thought the issues involving the Bennett family were handled with insight and sensitivity. McDonald has cast a cracker of a heroine in Amelia. I admired her persistence in getting to the bottom of the robbery. The romance in this novel is subtle, but this was more than fine with me as I was so caught up in the crime and suspense elements. Once again McDonald’s knowledge and love of the rural landscape shines through in her writing. It is always a joy to read her descriptions of rural life.
Emerald Springs is another winner for Fleur McDonald, she just keeps getting better, roll on the next one!
April 12, 2024
Loved this! Fleur knows how to do outback, country, farm stories. Obsessed with this series!
March 27, 2015
Another cracking read from Fleur.
Full review here: http://catep36.blogspot.com.au/2015/0...
Full review here: http://catep36.blogspot.com.au/2015/0...
July 20, 2016
I don't enjoy books with swearing... but other than that.. this one had me gripped .. so many great twists and turns that sways you wondering who and what right until the end.
November 16, 2021
Lookie here! Yet another Dave Burrows novel I've devoured this month! As a huge fan of the handsome (in my eyes he is so shhh) detective, I decided to read some of the earlier books that feature him!
𝑬𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒅 𝑺𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 is the novel that not only introduces the future Mrs Kim Burrows and Jack Higgins, but also the one that reconnects Dave and Kim after many years! Nearly divorced Dave is initally in town to give forums about farm security, but soon is helping out the local force as well.
Kim's niece Amelia had been transferring the funds from the local rodeo to a safe location when she was ran off the road, robbed and tasered by a group of assailants. Dave not only has to deal with this incident, but also a spike in thefts from local properties. There is a link, and in true Dave Burrows style, he won't stop until he finds it! Who Amelia thinks are friends could potentially be foes... even her own brother and fiance! It was quite a cracker to solve for this armchair detective!
I really loved reading Dave and Kim's reconnection and their developing romance. We all know in future novels they're happily married so it's lovely to read how it started!! And that sweet last line from Dave though! There really is a romantic under the whole tough cop exterior!
Thoroughly enjoyable as always!!
🌟🌟🌟🌟✨/5
𝑬𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒅 𝑺𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 is the novel that not only introduces the future Mrs Kim Burrows and Jack Higgins, but also the one that reconnects Dave and Kim after many years! Nearly divorced Dave is initally in town to give forums about farm security, but soon is helping out the local force as well.
Kim's niece Amelia had been transferring the funds from the local rodeo to a safe location when she was ran off the road, robbed and tasered by a group of assailants. Dave not only has to deal with this incident, but also a spike in thefts from local properties. There is a link, and in true Dave Burrows style, he won't stop until he finds it! Who Amelia thinks are friends could potentially be foes... even her own brother and fiance! It was quite a cracker to solve for this armchair detective!
I really loved reading Dave and Kim's reconnection and their developing romance. We all know in future novels they're happily married so it's lovely to read how it started!! And that sweet last line from Dave though! There really is a romantic under the whole tough cop exterior!
Thoroughly enjoyable as always!!
🌟🌟🌟🌟✨/5
February 26, 2019
Amelia Bennett is young woman who moves back back home after completing University doing a business course p she does the books for thr farmers of the community . She is ask to be on the rodeo committee to mange the money as does the books for local farmers.. When traveling to taking the money to the bank she is rob and hurt, Detective Dave Barrows come to town solve the thefts in town. Amelia and boyfriend Paul are considered to be suspects in the thefts. Her Aunty Kim believe in Amelia and falls for the Detective who she new when they were younger. Dave is newly divorced from his wife has to consider his feelings while inestigating the thefts. Amelia brother Graham is caught up in it as we discover through reading the book. There is also a tradgey for Amelia and her family. When Amelia discovers who is involved she can't believe that the people she thought were her friends and support her were involved in the robberies. Am love reading the Fleur McDonald books can't wait to read more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2024
Emerald Springs
Milly enjoys her work as a bookkeeper for the farmers in the district and is thrilled, despite being a younger person on the Rodeo Committee, to be chosen as Treasurer. Some of the Committee support her, others are not so sure.
With her ambition for the best Rodeo ever, Milly sets her mind to the organisation required. It is a success but as Milly makes her way to bank the funds raised, there is a violent attack against her and the money is stolen.
This, and a number of other robberies in the district, brings Detective Dave Burrows into town. It is also a chance for Milly's Aunt Kim to renew her friendship with Dave.
A fast paced story, plenty of suspects and suspicion and the delight of seeing Dave back in the thick of it all makes for a great read. I have read the later novels of Fleur McDonald and this story looks like the beginning of 'the Dave Burrows series'. Just two more of these early books to read to bring me right up to date with the books of Fleur McDonald.
Milly enjoys her work as a bookkeeper for the farmers in the district and is thrilled, despite being a younger person on the Rodeo Committee, to be chosen as Treasurer. Some of the Committee support her, others are not so sure.
With her ambition for the best Rodeo ever, Milly sets her mind to the organisation required. It is a success but as Milly makes her way to bank the funds raised, there is a violent attack against her and the money is stolen.
This, and a number of other robberies in the district, brings Detective Dave Burrows into town. It is also a chance for Milly's Aunt Kim to renew her friendship with Dave.
A fast paced story, plenty of suspects and suspicion and the delight of seeing Dave back in the thick of it all makes for a great read. I have read the later novels of Fleur McDonald and this story looks like the beginning of 'the Dave Burrows series'. Just two more of these early books to read to bring me right up to date with the books of Fleur McDonald.
December 6, 2024
Amelia Bennett returns to her home town, determined to lose her old reputation for being scatty. She works hard to prove herself as the treasurer of the local rodeo committee. While driving the bags of cash into town, she becomes the victim of a terrifying smash and grab. And soon, she and her boyfriend Paul are the objects of suspicion. To prove her innocence, Amelia must convince a certain sceptical detective . . .
Continuing with the Dave Burrows series, once again I found a new favourite from Fleur McDonald! This was such a solid story that I really enjoyed.
In this one, Dave finally made a significant appearance and started edging to be a main character, rather than just a side one. The stakes were also higher for all characters involved, and the plot had a nice intricacy to it. I’d say this was the first book in the series where he finally became a solid character, and I could see how he quickly stole the show!
Moving onto the next one!
See my bookstagram review.
Continuing with the Dave Burrows series, once again I found a new favourite from Fleur McDonald! This was such a solid story that I really enjoyed.
In this one, Dave finally made a significant appearance and started edging to be a main character, rather than just a side one. The stakes were also higher for all characters involved, and the plot had a nice intricacy to it. I’d say this was the first book in the series where he finally became a solid character, and I could see how he quickly stole the show!
Moving onto the next one!
See my bookstagram review.
May 13, 2023
Another book I couldn't put down. Millie was an exuberant teenager in a small town who was a bit slap dash at times. She had returned with a certificate in Accounting and starting up her own book keeping business. She was happy to help with the local Rodeo and was asked to be the treasurer, even though some people were against the idea, she was young and some remembered her slap dash ways. On the way to the bank with the days takings she was ambushed and robbed, suspicions run deep in a small township and Dave a detective from Adelaide was sent to do a talk on security and was looking into a couple of previous robberies. He also rekindled a friendship with Millies Aunt, as he investigated the crimes.
June 21, 2017
I had thought I might have read this book but must have read intro before. Continuation of Dave the detective in outback South Australia (remembered previously coming across him ). It just goes to show you don't know what motives some people ( darker side lurking) with the mask of being good people. Onto reading Fleur's next Dave's adventures.
June 24, 2017
I enjoy mystery/suspense and I enjoy romance. While this book wasn't the type of romance I usually enjoy, it had a very good storyline with the local crime and mystery surrounding that. Very enjoyable and keeps you turning the pages trying to guess who the criminals are. With a few unexpected twists and turns, Emerald Springs is a lovely book about survival featuring very interesting characters.
January 22, 2025
I'm not sure why I haven't read more of Fleurs books. I love them!!
A great country story with a splash of romance, a death and just great country shenanigans.
I enjoyed this book from cover to cover. It kept me guessing every chapter and I still couldn't bust the plot....until it all just came together.
Brilliant and highly recommended when you appreciate a down to earth country novel!
A great country story with a splash of romance, a death and just great country shenanigans.
I enjoyed this book from cover to cover. It kept me guessing every chapter and I still couldn't bust the plot....until it all just came together.
Brilliant and highly recommended when you appreciate a down to earth country novel!
May 3, 2023
As always Fleur tells an writes good story.
Choose rating due to Fleur’s books so enjoyable also her Dave books, not sure what happen to Dani! Might have to re read books, finish her latest, once again good read.
Choose rating due to Fleur’s books so enjoyable also her Dave books, not sure what happen to Dani! Might have to re read books, finish her latest, once again good read.
June 5, 2024
I enjoyed the story, but A missed opportunity in some ways.
I was disappointed in how Amelia took the blame for suspecting her partner when a good relationship is about sharing, communicating and helping each other. A missed opportunity in today's world.
The ending was also rushed in my opinion.
I was disappointed in how Amelia took the blame for suspecting her partner when a good relationship is about sharing, communicating and helping each other. A missed opportunity in today's world.
The ending was also rushed in my opinion.
December 28, 2016
This novel was slow to start with but gradually built up tension until towards the ending I was totally engrossed. Quite an enjoyable read with plenty of twists and turns.
October 28, 2017
This was a great read!
June 26, 2018
loved the story line.
August 5, 2018
Another good rural tale with likeable characters and families/friendships with a web of mystery woven through it.
January 18, 2020
January 2020 book challenge completed which was to read a book ‘with a colour in the title’. Not my usual choice but it met the criteria. Slow lacklustre read for me unfortunately.
August 8, 2020
Great
Always like books about South Australia and this one is as good as the rest.Aways exciting and they seem very real
Always like books about South Australia and this one is as good as the rest.Aways exciting and they seem very real
September 27, 2020
Enjoyed the book not very realistic however an easy read.
August 8, 2021
Fleur McDonald is always a good way to spend a lazy afternoon
January 22, 2022
Another brilliant read. I loved this book and it kept me guessing until the end.
June 10, 2022
An earlier book than others I’ve read as it introduces Detective Dave Burrows to Kim. But it was a page turning mystery. Who did it? The answer was well hidden until the end.
September 9, 2023
I think i read this before but only some of it seemed familiar. I did enjoy it but def didnt figure out who was in on all the bad things happening!
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