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A Rose McHugh Mystery #3
Murder at Thornwood Park
For lovers of smart and witty cosy crime. Set within an intriguing village community of friends, neighbours (and enemies), all living at the edge of the atmospheric forests of the mysterious Southern Highlands, historian turned detective, Rose McHugh, channels her expert skills to solve an historical series of murders.
Who doesn't want to curl up with this fabulous lead character and a great supporting cast in a setting made for some murder and crime solving?
When historian Rose McHugh is left a mysterious bequest after the death of the reclusive heiress of Thornwood Park, she's excited to visit the estate.
But when Rose realises she may have found evidence of women going missing, she delves deeper. During World War II, the nearby Robertson Hotel housed trainees of the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force, who often attended lavish parties thrown by Thornwood's wealthy owners.
Unearthing a decades-old mystery is a challenge ... particularly when it may lead to the unmasking of a serial killer. And it appears that someone in the misty Southern Highlands will do anything to keep the killer's identity hidden.
Praise for the Rose McHugh
'An intoxicating blend of suspense and melody, Whisky Valley hits all the right notes. A must-read for fans of cosy crime with a touch of mystery and a load of charm.' Joanna Jenkins, author of How to Kill a Client
'Joan Sauers masterfully intertwines intrigue, romance, dogs, and the beauty of the Australian landscape. Her vivid storytelling pulls you into a compelling world you won't be in a hurry to leave. There is a cosy quality to Whisky Valley, but it's cosy with a bite as the reader rushes towards the final dramatic showdown.' Vikki Petraitis, author of The Unbelieved
'As cosy as it is compulsive, Sauers brings the eerie beauty of winter in the Southern Highlands to life. A highly recommended, vivid read!' Jacqueline Bublitz, author of Leave the Girls Behind
'Not just a whodunnit, Echo Lake also contemplates what makes for a good life, reminds the reader of the importance of historical truth and throws in a ghost story for good measure.' Maryrose Cuskelly, author of The Cane
'Move over Miss Marple. With its indefatigable heroine, mist-shrouded setting, cast of quirky characters and as many trips to the pub as there are mysteries to solve, Echo Lake is cosy crime at its dynamic, atmospheric best - and Sauers is certainly a writer to watch.' Anna Downes, author of The Shadow House
Who doesn't want to curl up with this fabulous lead character and a great supporting cast in a setting made for some murder and crime solving?
When historian Rose McHugh is left a mysterious bequest after the death of the reclusive heiress of Thornwood Park, she's excited to visit the estate.
But when Rose realises she may have found evidence of women going missing, she delves deeper. During World War II, the nearby Robertson Hotel housed trainees of the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force, who often attended lavish parties thrown by Thornwood's wealthy owners.
Unearthing a decades-old mystery is a challenge ... particularly when it may lead to the unmasking of a serial killer. And it appears that someone in the misty Southern Highlands will do anything to keep the killer's identity hidden.
Praise for the Rose McHugh
'An intoxicating blend of suspense and melody, Whisky Valley hits all the right notes. A must-read for fans of cosy crime with a touch of mystery and a load of charm.' Joanna Jenkins, author of How to Kill a Client
'Joan Sauers masterfully intertwines intrigue, romance, dogs, and the beauty of the Australian landscape. Her vivid storytelling pulls you into a compelling world you won't be in a hurry to leave. There is a cosy quality to Whisky Valley, but it's cosy with a bite as the reader rushes towards the final dramatic showdown.' Vikki Petraitis, author of The Unbelieved
'As cosy as it is compulsive, Sauers brings the eerie beauty of winter in the Southern Highlands to life. A highly recommended, vivid read!' Jacqueline Bublitz, author of Leave the Girls Behind
'Not just a whodunnit, Echo Lake also contemplates what makes for a good life, reminds the reader of the importance of historical truth and throws in a ghost story for good measure.' Maryrose Cuskelly, author of The Cane
'Move over Miss Marple. With its indefatigable heroine, mist-shrouded setting, cast of quirky characters and as many trips to the pub as there are mysteries to solve, Echo Lake is cosy crime at its dynamic, atmospheric best - and Sauers is certainly a writer to watch.' Anna Downes, author of The Shadow House
383 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 2, 2026
About the author
Joan Sauers
18 books48 followersBorn in New York and working in film and television in NY, London and Los Angeles, Sauers has lived in Australia for the last twenty-five years. She is the author of twelve books including Mothers & Daughters, Ageing Disgracefully, and Sex Lives of Australian Women. She is a consultant and lecturer in screenwriting in Australia, Europe and Morocco, and lives in Sydney with her talented cat, Blossom.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This read is set in one of the most beautiful parts of Australia, an area I have visited often in the past. Today the freeway bypasses this wonderful area but travelling on the old road will enhance the experience and a visit to historic Berrima and the beautiful Southern Highlands.
I loved the read, it ticked all the boxes for me, mystery, history, love and new beginnings.
Rose McHugh has found her tree change buying an old weatherboard cottage in the magical place of the southern highland’s town of Berrima where she now lives with dog Bob and works at the local Highlands Area Museum. She had planned on continuing her work as a researcher for television and film companies, however, the need to supplement her income became apparent and through good luck with the director retiring with her now established success in holding exhibitions honouring local heroes, the board offered Rose the job.
Out of the blue Rose receives a phone call from a solicitor who having been appointed chairman of a charitable foundation of a recently deceased famous local woman, advises Rose that the Highlands Area Museum (HAM) will be the recipient of anything that might be of historical interest to the region.
Rose tells her friend Helen who is ecstatic with the news. As she relates to Rose, the last surviving resident of Thornwood Park, Judith Longworth lived as a recluse even after her father had passed away. As Rose discovers the vibrant past and beauty surrounds of Thornwood had disintegrated into a tangle of overgrown bush when she arrives with the solicitor, Ken Aberdein.
Helen, a retired doctor is adamant that Rose not go there alone, there’s something not right about the house, Helen related, she had visited to attend to Judith’s ill father and was uncomfortable in the house, stating that there was a strange element there.
Almost immediately Rose feels an infinity to Judith; Ken points out items that could be of interest to HAM and Rose seems to connect with Judith, the perfume, the same as her mother had used and then there is the small portraiture of Judith with a similar hair style to that of her mother. Unable to resist, before leaving, Rose pockets the perfume.
Rose’s sister visits and they both head off to Thornwood Park; however, Kim is affected in a similar manner to that of Helen and can’t get out of the place quick enough. Kim’s visit changes the dynamics of Rose’s solitary life by her admitting that she’s in dire financial stress and wants to move in with her. Not particularly thrilled with the idea of a permanent arrangement there is initially friction between the two, Kim’s past history a thorn for Rose.
With the sheer scale that Rose has been able to collect to investigate, it all becomes a little daunting but in making a start the history of past events come to light. The Longworth family had held many gala events and balls at the estate and had supported the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force and their trainees who were based nearby and were invited to Thornwood Park.
As Rose delves more into the history of the Longworth family and events that took place there, she embarks on investigating some of the trainees in the photo of a ball that had taken place and the contents of a silver cigar box where she connects from the photo one of the young women wearing one of the trinkets from the cigar box. At first Rose thinks that Judith, as a child may have come across the trinkets and saved them, there would be no need as an adult, wealth would enable her to have beautiful jewellery, who collected the pieces?
Even though Rose was particularly mentioned in Judith’s will and of her desire that historical content of the estate to go to HAM, Rose is thwarted with some of her investigations that lead to her uncovering a mystery of missing trainees. Things become dangerous, items go missing from HAM and she is removed from her job. Not to be deterred Rose continues with her investigations and with her research training she knows how to dig into history. What happened to these young women and who is trying to stop her from finding out?
I received an ARC of this book, many thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I loved the read, it ticked all the boxes for me, mystery, history, love and new beginnings.
Rose McHugh has found her tree change buying an old weatherboard cottage in the magical place of the southern highland’s town of Berrima where she now lives with dog Bob and works at the local Highlands Area Museum. She had planned on continuing her work as a researcher for television and film companies, however, the need to supplement her income became apparent and through good luck with the director retiring with her now established success in holding exhibitions honouring local heroes, the board offered Rose the job.
Out of the blue Rose receives a phone call from a solicitor who having been appointed chairman of a charitable foundation of a recently deceased famous local woman, advises Rose that the Highlands Area Museum (HAM) will be the recipient of anything that might be of historical interest to the region.
Rose tells her friend Helen who is ecstatic with the news. As she relates to Rose, the last surviving resident of Thornwood Park, Judith Longworth lived as a recluse even after her father had passed away. As Rose discovers the vibrant past and beauty surrounds of Thornwood had disintegrated into a tangle of overgrown bush when she arrives with the solicitor, Ken Aberdein.
Helen, a retired doctor is adamant that Rose not go there alone, there’s something not right about the house, Helen related, she had visited to attend to Judith’s ill father and was uncomfortable in the house, stating that there was a strange element there.
Almost immediately Rose feels an infinity to Judith; Ken points out items that could be of interest to HAM and Rose seems to connect with Judith, the perfume, the same as her mother had used and then there is the small portraiture of Judith with a similar hair style to that of her mother. Unable to resist, before leaving, Rose pockets the perfume.
Rose’s sister visits and they both head off to Thornwood Park; however, Kim is affected in a similar manner to that of Helen and can’t get out of the place quick enough. Kim’s visit changes the dynamics of Rose’s solitary life by her admitting that she’s in dire financial stress and wants to move in with her. Not particularly thrilled with the idea of a permanent arrangement there is initially friction between the two, Kim’s past history a thorn for Rose.
With the sheer scale that Rose has been able to collect to investigate, it all becomes a little daunting but in making a start the history of past events come to light. The Longworth family had held many gala events and balls at the estate and had supported the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force and their trainees who were based nearby and were invited to Thornwood Park.
As Rose delves more into the history of the Longworth family and events that took place there, she embarks on investigating some of the trainees in the photo of a ball that had taken place and the contents of a silver cigar box where she connects from the photo one of the young women wearing one of the trinkets from the cigar box. At first Rose thinks that Judith, as a child may have come across the trinkets and saved them, there would be no need as an adult, wealth would enable her to have beautiful jewellery, who collected the pieces?
Even though Rose was particularly mentioned in Judith’s will and of her desire that historical content of the estate to go to HAM, Rose is thwarted with some of her investigations that lead to her uncovering a mystery of missing trainees. Things become dangerous, items go missing from HAM and she is removed from her job. Not to be deterred Rose continues with her investigations and with her research training she knows how to dig into history. What happened to these young women and who is trying to stop her from finding out?
I received an ARC of this book, many thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
3.5 stars
Cosy crime set in the Bowral / Southern Highlands area. Another enjoyable instalment in the historian Rose McHugh series.
Rose is left a bequest after the death of a recluse who lived at Thornwood Park. As Rose delves into the history of the estate, she finds evidence she believes indicates missing women. Solving a long cold case proves extremely difficult but Rose refuses to concede.
Cosy crime set in the Bowral / Southern Highlands area. Another enjoyable instalment in the historian Rose McHugh series.
Rose is left a bequest after the death of a recluse who lived at Thornwood Park. As Rose delves into the history of the estate, she finds evidence she believes indicates missing women. Solving a long cold case proves extremely difficult but Rose refuses to concede.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews