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When 18-year-old Kitty Carlisle's father dies in 1838, her suddenly impoverished mother hopes her beautiful daughter might at least find a good husband. But then Kitty is compromised by an unscrupulous adventurer, and she is banished in disgrace to the colonies.
In the infamous whaling port of Kororareka - known as the Hell-Hole of the Pacific - Kitty falls in love with Rian Farrell, a mysterious sea captain with secrets of his own. Shocking events force her to flee the Bay of Islands for Sydney, but her independent heart leads her into a web of illicit sexual liaison, betrayal and death.
Part one of the bestselling saga of love and adventure on the high seas in the Pacific of the 1800s, by one of our leading historical novelists.
In the infamous whaling port of Kororareka - known as the Hell-Hole of the Pacific - Kitty falls in love with Rian Farrell, a mysterious sea captain with secrets of his own. Shocking events force her to flee the Bay of Islands for Sydney, but her independent heart leads her into a web of illicit sexual liaison, betrayal and death.
Part one of the bestselling saga of love and adventure on the high seas in the Pacific of the 1800s, by one of our leading historical novelists.
350 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
49 people are currently reading
407 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Challinor
24 books245 followersBorn in Huntly, she holds a PhD in New Zealand history from the University of Waikato. Challinor has worked as a fulltime writer and historian since 2000.
Primarily known for her historical novels, Deborah Challinor’s first published books were non-fiction history books, including the best-selling Grey Ghosts: New Zealand Vietnam Vets Talk About Their War (Hodder Moa Beckett, 1998).
Her first historical novel, Tamar, was published in 2002 and has been reprinted six times. Tamar is set in Auckland, Hawke’s Bay and South Africa and covers the period from 1879 until the Boer War. The series continues with White Feathers (2003) and Blue Smoke (2004).
Union Belle (2005) tells the love story of a young woman caught up in the 1951 waterfront strike, and Kitty (2006) is set in the Bay of Islands in nineteenth century New Zealand. Both novels have been at the top of the New Zealand fiction bestseller list.
Attention to historical detail is an important part of writing for Challinor. ‘I base my novels on actual historical events, and it’s very important to me to research those events in depth and to present them accurately,’ she says.
Reviewing Union Belle in North and South magazine in April 2005, Warwick Roger commented that: ‘You can smell the beer and cigarette smoke in the public bar of the Huntly Hotel, hear the band at the Saturday night dances at the miner’s hall … it’s a book I kept sneaking back to whenever I had a spare quarter hour, eager to advance the story.’
Fire (HarperCollins, 2007), Challinor's seventh novel, is set in Auckland during the hype leading up to the royal visit of 1953, but is based on the Ballantyne’s department store fire of 1947 in Christchurch. A powerful and dramatic story of passion, ambition and greed, it became a number one bestseller.
Amber, the sequel to Kitty, was published later in 2007 and also became a bestseller. Amber opens in New Zealand in 1945, on the eve of the Northern War in the Bay of Islands, in which Kitty is caught up. Sent to Auckland away from the fighting, Kitty encounters an orphaned part-Maori girl she names Amber. Together they return to the Bay of Islands, where both Kitty must risk her own life to save Amber’s.
Isle of Tears (HarperCollins NZ Ltd, 2009) is a story about 14-year-old Scottish immigrant Isla McKinnon and her younger brothers and sister. When they are orphaned they are adopted by Taranaki Maori and become caught up in the wars in Taranaki, the Waikato and the Bay of Plenty.
A revised edition of Challinor’s Grey Ghosts (HarperCollins NZ) was published in 2009. This edition included a new chapter on how the New Zealand Vietnam veteran community has fared since the book was first published in 1998.
Primarily known for her historical novels, Deborah Challinor’s first published books were non-fiction history books, including the best-selling Grey Ghosts: New Zealand Vietnam Vets Talk About Their War (Hodder Moa Beckett, 1998).
Her first historical novel, Tamar, was published in 2002 and has been reprinted six times. Tamar is set in Auckland, Hawke’s Bay and South Africa and covers the period from 1879 until the Boer War. The series continues with White Feathers (2003) and Blue Smoke (2004).
Union Belle (2005) tells the love story of a young woman caught up in the 1951 waterfront strike, and Kitty (2006) is set in the Bay of Islands in nineteenth century New Zealand. Both novels have been at the top of the New Zealand fiction bestseller list.
Attention to historical detail is an important part of writing for Challinor. ‘I base my novels on actual historical events, and it’s very important to me to research those events in depth and to present them accurately,’ she says.
Reviewing Union Belle in North and South magazine in April 2005, Warwick Roger commented that: ‘You can smell the beer and cigarette smoke in the public bar of the Huntly Hotel, hear the band at the Saturday night dances at the miner’s hall … it’s a book I kept sneaking back to whenever I had a spare quarter hour, eager to advance the story.’
Fire (HarperCollins, 2007), Challinor's seventh novel, is set in Auckland during the hype leading up to the royal visit of 1953, but is based on the Ballantyne’s department store fire of 1947 in Christchurch. A powerful and dramatic story of passion, ambition and greed, it became a number one bestseller.
Amber, the sequel to Kitty, was published later in 2007 and also became a bestseller. Amber opens in New Zealand in 1945, on the eve of the Northern War in the Bay of Islands, in which Kitty is caught up. Sent to Auckland away from the fighting, Kitty encounters an orphaned part-Maori girl she names Amber. Together they return to the Bay of Islands, where both Kitty must risk her own life to save Amber’s.
Isle of Tears (HarperCollins NZ Ltd, 2009) is a story about 14-year-old Scottish immigrant Isla McKinnon and her younger brothers and sister. When they are orphaned they are adopted by Taranaki Maori and become caught up in the wars in Taranaki, the Waikato and the Bay of Plenty.
A revised edition of Challinor’s Grey Ghosts (HarperCollins NZ) was published in 2009. This edition included a new chapter on how the New Zealand Vietnam veteran community has fared since the book was first published in 1998.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
February 1, 2018
I must say, I prefer the original cover
to the one I picked up from my local library.
The cover blurb sensationalises the story - or else maybe Challinor doesn't sensationalise it enough. I didn't quite get the wild, colonial days feeling from this book.
What I did like although this will seem a funny way of praising a book is (& this isn't a spoiler as this information is on the back of the book)but don't you get sick of that tired old trope of the compromised, but innocent young girl? Through her own naivety, Kitty really is compromised and her mother sends her to the raw, new country of New Zealand with her missionary aunt & uncle to make a fresh start. But Kitty's quietly rebellious nature leads her into all sorts of scrapes and then into perilous adventures.
A lot of the history feels (or I know) is very authentic - including some of Australia's. & a lot of Kitty's tale is fascinating - but not to the point of not being able to put the book down. There is sometimes a bit of tell rather than show and also some awkward phrasing. And I didn't altogether buy Kitty & Rian's romance. In fact, The Big Misunderstanding had me rolling my eyes.
But there is enough there that I will seek out more of Challinor's works.
3.5★ (rounding up rather than down because Challinor is a Kiwi! Normally I no longer mind the lack of half stars but for this book I do regret it. )
to the one I picked up from my local library.
The cover blurb sensationalises the story - or else maybe Challinor doesn't sensationalise it enough. I didn't quite get the wild, colonial days feeling from this book.
What I did like although this will seem a funny way of praising a book is (& this isn't a spoiler as this information is on the back of the book)but don't you get sick of that tired old trope of the compromised, but innocent young girl? Through her own naivety, Kitty really is compromised and her mother sends her to the raw, new country of New Zealand with her missionary aunt & uncle to make a fresh start. But Kitty's quietly rebellious nature leads her into all sorts of scrapes and then into perilous adventures.
A lot of the history feels (or I know) is very authentic - including some of Australia's. & a lot of Kitty's tale is fascinating - but not to the point of not being able to put the book down. There is sometimes a bit of tell rather than show and also some awkward phrasing. And I didn't altogether buy Kitty & Rian's romance. In fact, The Big Misunderstanding had me rolling my eyes.
But there is enough there that I will seek out more of Challinor's works.
3.5★ (rounding up rather than down because Challinor is a Kiwi! Normally I no longer mind the lack of half stars but for this book I do regret it. )
January 1, 2017
The humiliation that had caused Kitty Carlisle’s mother to banish eighteen year old Kitty to the colonies of New Zealand with her Uncle George and Aunt Sarah, both missionaries, had deeply saddened Kitty. She grieved the sudden death of her father and knew she would miss her mother deeply, but the journey by sea to the whaling port of Kororareka was one she enjoyed immensely. She loved the feeling of the rocking of the ship, the smell of the sea and the freedom. But her arrival on the island gave Kitty one shock after another…
Kitty liked teaching the young students near the home she had made with her aunt and uncle – comprising both natives and missionary children, their eagerness to learn was endearing. Her friendship with the two Maori girls, Wai and Amy, who came to their home to learn was enlightening to Kitty as well, and she rapidly picked up the native tongue. But there was trouble on the horizon, both with the looming treaty and the natives.
Captain Rian Farrell was an enigma; rude, antagonistic and brusque, Kitty felt a measure of attraction to him, but tamped it down, feeling fortunate that he was rarely on the island as his travels kept him on the high seas more often than not. But the shocking suddenness of immediate danger had Kitty fleeing her home in fear of her life. What would happen in Kitty’s future? Was she once again alone and drifting?
Kitty by New Zealand/Aussie author Deborah Challinor is the first in the Smuggler’s Wife trilogy and it was everything I’ve come to expect from this author and more! Filled with tension and suspense, the pages flew by as I devoured the story from start to finish. I’m keen to get into #2, Amber, soon. Deborah Challinor is firmly in my list of favourite authors, and I highly recommend Kitty to fans of historical fiction.
Kitty liked teaching the young students near the home she had made with her aunt and uncle – comprising both natives and missionary children, their eagerness to learn was endearing. Her friendship with the two Maori girls, Wai and Amy, who came to their home to learn was enlightening to Kitty as well, and she rapidly picked up the native tongue. But there was trouble on the horizon, both with the looming treaty and the natives.
Captain Rian Farrell was an enigma; rude, antagonistic and brusque, Kitty felt a measure of attraction to him, but tamped it down, feeling fortunate that he was rarely on the island as his travels kept him on the high seas more often than not. But the shocking suddenness of immediate danger had Kitty fleeing her home in fear of her life. What would happen in Kitty’s future? Was she once again alone and drifting?
Kitty by New Zealand/Aussie author Deborah Challinor is the first in the Smuggler’s Wife trilogy and it was everything I’ve come to expect from this author and more! Filled with tension and suspense, the pages flew by as I devoured the story from start to finish. I’m keen to get into #2, Amber, soon. Deborah Challinor is firmly in my list of favourite authors, and I highly recommend Kitty to fans of historical fiction.
February 22, 2017
Deborah Challinor is firmly in my favourite authors list. She has certainly contributed to historical fiction now being one of my favourite genres! I loved how she protrayed the Convict Girls series (Behind the Sun) and I love how she brings to life the early European settlement in New Zealand in this book.
Set in New Zealand and Sydney, Australia, this story is rich in history, tension, suspense and the little twists along the way that I have come to know and love in this author's books.
One thing I love about Deborah Challinor books is I am always rushing to get my hands on the next book in the series the second I finish that last book! Looking forward to Amber!!
Set in New Zealand and Sydney, Australia, this story is rich in history, tension, suspense and the little twists along the way that I have come to know and love in this author's books.
One thing I love about Deborah Challinor books is I am always rushing to get my hands on the next book in the series the second I finish that last book! Looking forward to Amber!!
July 11, 2009
I really enjoyed this book. Probably better described as a teenage read but still loved it.
Enjoyed the development of the characters and they way in, which they interact. It was delightful to suddenly discover that I was reading about the Treaty of Waitangi from the perspective of someone living in the area at the time. There were enough unknowns to keep me reading and wanting to know what else would happen. The blurb on the back can be a bit misleading. I’d definitely recommend this one.
Enjoyed the development of the characters and they way in, which they interact. It was delightful to suddenly discover that I was reading about the Treaty of Waitangi from the perspective of someone living in the area at the time. There were enough unknowns to keep me reading and wanting to know what else would happen. The blurb on the back can be a bit misleading. I’d definitely recommend this one.
August 31, 2017
This was a bookclub read. For some reason, I generally don't enjoy books set in New Zealand, but this was OK. I didn't really believe the love story, and I thought it could have used a few more translations for some of the words for readers unfamiliar with Maori, but it was a quick, easy read and better than I expected.
September 13, 2021
Kitty- Ein ungezähmtes Herz von Deborah Challinor war seit langem mal wieder ein schöner historischer Roman.
Man folgt in diesem Buch Kitty von England nach Neuseeland, wo sie in in einer Missionsstation für die Anglikanische Kirche hauptsächlich Maori-Kinder unterrichtet.
Schon sehr früh freundet sich Kitty mit der Häuptlingstochter Wai an. Die Sechzehnjährige hilft im Haushalt von Kittys Onkel (Pastor) und Tante mit, um sich auf die bevorstehende Hochzeit vorzubereiten.
Man merkt bereits nach ein paar Seiten, dass Kittys Onkel sehr fanatisch ist, was seinen Glauben angeht.
Durch eine erschütternde Enthüllung müssen Wai und Kitty fliehen. Sowohl vor Wais Familie als auch vor Kittys. Ihnen bleibt nur eine Möglichkeit: Die Überfahrt nach Sydney auf Rian Farrell's Schiff Katipo.
Kitty, Wai und Wai's Onkel Haunui sind nun komplett auf sich allein gestellt in dieser "Verbrecherstadt".
Als dann auch noch Rian hinter Gittern landet scheint alles verloren, doch die Crew heckt zusammen mit Kitty einen Plan aus um Rian zu befreien. Wird alles funktionieren wie geplant?
Alles in allem ein sehr bewegender Roman über die ersten Missionare in Neuseeland. Nicht so dramatisch wie die Jessica- Bücher von Ashley Carrington, dennoch sehr interessant.
Ich werde mir auf jeden Fall auch Band zwei zulegen.
Man folgt in diesem Buch Kitty von England nach Neuseeland, wo sie in in einer Missionsstation für die Anglikanische Kirche hauptsächlich Maori-Kinder unterrichtet.
Schon sehr früh freundet sich Kitty mit der Häuptlingstochter Wai an. Die Sechzehnjährige hilft im Haushalt von Kittys Onkel (Pastor) und Tante mit, um sich auf die bevorstehende Hochzeit vorzubereiten.
Man merkt bereits nach ein paar Seiten, dass Kittys Onkel sehr fanatisch ist, was seinen Glauben angeht.
Durch eine erschütternde Enthüllung müssen Wai und Kitty fliehen. Sowohl vor Wais Familie als auch vor Kittys. Ihnen bleibt nur eine Möglichkeit: Die Überfahrt nach Sydney auf Rian Farrell's Schiff Katipo.
Kitty, Wai und Wai's Onkel Haunui sind nun komplett auf sich allein gestellt in dieser "Verbrecherstadt".
Als dann auch noch Rian hinter Gittern landet scheint alles verloren, doch die Crew heckt zusammen mit Kitty einen Plan aus um Rian zu befreien. Wird alles funktionieren wie geplant?
Alles in allem ein sehr bewegender Roman über die ersten Missionare in Neuseeland. Nicht so dramatisch wie die Jessica- Bücher von Ashley Carrington, dennoch sehr interessant.
Ich werde mir auf jeden Fall auch Band zwei zulegen.
August 27, 2017
Book club read- really did enjoy this book, considering I judged the book by its cover.
October 21, 2019
I'd call this romantic fiction with a historical setting. The background was good but really it was a cliche about a girl falling in love with a strong silent type. It was really written from a modern perspective, I just didn't believe her attitudes as a supposedly aspiring middle-class early victorian miss would change as quickly as they did.
It was fine as a holiday read on to pass an airplane flight, and did give me some insights into missionary fervour in the earl 1840s.
It was fine as a holiday read on to pass an airplane flight, and did give me some insights into missionary fervour in the earl 1840s.
October 29, 2020
I enjoyed listening to this audio book. The author created a solid setting in NZ and Sydney for the time period. The romance aspect was a tad weak, but still enjoyable, and the characters (including the cat!) were well crafted. I was sad one of the seemingly key characters died though! I look forward to book 2 in the series as it was an abrupt ending that left me wanting more. Which I suppose would be the author’s plan, right?
March 9, 2014
Great adventureous story. Kitty is a wonderful character & I cant wait to continue reading her adventures. Gotta love a good series/ trilogy.
January 9, 2024
Another exceptional read from my favourite NZ author Deborah Challinor. One of her best books yet.
June 19, 2019
I always enjoy reading a Deborah Challinor book, some more than others, and this was one of the best. Kitty is the first book in the series of The Smuggler’s wife. I have read the Convict Girls series, which I loved, and I think Kitty rates up there with that.
Set in the 1840’s in New Zealand and Sydney it brings to life the early European settlement in New Zealand, and looks at the missionary families and also the Maori tribes at the time of the signing of the Waitangi treaty. It is rich in history as well as being a story of adventure and romance.
When Kitty Carlisle commits an ‘indiscretion’ that tarnishes her reputation she is sent from England to New Zealand by her widowed, and impoverished, mother, in company with her uncle and aunt, who are missionaries. What follows is not quite what her mother envisaged, but it makes for great reading, with an interesting cast of characters, including include the dashing Rian Farrell, captain of the schooner Katipo, and his engaging crew, as well as Wai, a Maori girl who becomes Kitty’s friend, and Huanui, Wai’s uncle.
If you like history, romance and adventure with plenty of drama and tension, you will enjoy this book.
Set in the 1840’s in New Zealand and Sydney it brings to life the early European settlement in New Zealand, and looks at the missionary families and also the Maori tribes at the time of the signing of the Waitangi treaty. It is rich in history as well as being a story of adventure and romance.
When Kitty Carlisle commits an ‘indiscretion’ that tarnishes her reputation she is sent from England to New Zealand by her widowed, and impoverished, mother, in company with her uncle and aunt, who are missionaries. What follows is not quite what her mother envisaged, but it makes for great reading, with an interesting cast of characters, including include the dashing Rian Farrell, captain of the schooner Katipo, and his engaging crew, as well as Wai, a Maori girl who becomes Kitty’s friend, and Huanui, Wai’s uncle.
If you like history, romance and adventure with plenty of drama and tension, you will enjoy this book.
December 4, 2019
3.5 stars. This was interesting in that it is the 1st historical novel I have read about New Zealand’s settlers and natives. I must read more on this topic. It is easy to see why Christian evangelical Priests were so “on the nose”. No doubt there were good ones amongst the bad but there was something in their mission that spoke of superiority when they should have been humble and willing to learn from their experiences with new cultures.
Australia was a penal colony and our natives got treated badly but I think, on the whole, because of our hardships at the hands of “superiors”, we learnt to stand up for ourselves and learn how to communicate with lots of strange people. It was a do or die situation. It was different for the New Zealanders.
Australia was a penal colony and our natives got treated badly but I think, on the whole, because of our hardships at the hands of “superiors”, we learnt to stand up for ourselves and learn how to communicate with lots of strange people. It was a do or die situation. It was different for the New Zealanders.
June 7, 2024
I found this a well written and emotive book.
I particularly enjoyed the insights into some of the colonial and mission history of New Zealand. I also appreciated learning a little about Māori culture.
I did find the beginning a little slow but once Kitty had settled in Waitangi and meets Wai and Amy the book becomes more interesting.
When the story moves to Sydney I became a bit unsure about the historical truth behind the kinds of items being able to be purchased at this time - relatively fancy dresses and shoes. I did enjoy it though and could be proved wrong in this respect.
Getting ready to read Book 2 in the series
I particularly enjoyed the insights into some of the colonial and mission history of New Zealand. I also appreciated learning a little about Māori culture.
I did find the beginning a little slow but once Kitty had settled in Waitangi and meets Wai and Amy the book becomes more interesting.
When the story moves to Sydney I became a bit unsure about the historical truth behind the kinds of items being able to be purchased at this time - relatively fancy dresses and shoes. I did enjoy it though and could be proved wrong in this respect.
Getting ready to read Book 2 in the series
February 20, 2017
A really interesting read about missionaries in New Zealand. Looking forward to reading the next in the series.
June 20, 2018
easy reading and interesting time in NZ history.
August 25, 2018
One of the best reads ever!! And so good to find out there are writers like D. Challinor in New Zealand. The historical aspect, the writing and characters were all amazing.
January 4, 2019
Well written and a good window to an interesting time period. The book was great I am just not into romance fiction that much...
January 22, 2019
Hard to tell if this is historical fiction disguised as trashy romance or trashy romance disguised as historical fiction. A good holiday read, the NZ setting is original.
March 16, 2019
I loved this book! I couldn’t wait to start the next one.
August 15, 2019
After almost a year I finally finished this book.
There was a few times it got a bit long winded, but it got going right at the moment of history that New Zealander's have been taught about.
There was a few times it got a bit long winded, but it got going right at the moment of history that New Zealander's have been taught about.
September 27, 2019
Another good book by Deborah.
October 11, 2019
Good light read
Enjoyed this healthy alternative to NZ history told in NZ schools. A story told through the eyes of decent, honest people- on both sides
Enjoyed this healthy alternative to NZ history told in NZ schools. A story told through the eyes of decent, honest people- on both sides
Read
December 19, 2019The narrator was awful and this was a real shame as Deborah Challinor is one of my favourite authors.
DNF
DNF
February 25, 2020
Feeling generous because it's largely set in NZ, and a little in Australia. Romance fiction with a historical setting. Was a little predictable.
April 6, 2020
Read a little like a romance book rather than a historical fiction book in some parts, but was still a very enjoyable read.
June 21, 2020
I can't believe it! I've found this story still continuing with other characters. I love it!!
August 29, 2020
3.5 stars. A light, enjoyable read set in NZ around the time of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.
April 29, 2021
Strong main character, great description of early New Zealand. Family, love, betrayal & death. The story of Kitty has it all.
November 3, 2022
Predictable romance with pretentions to being an historical novel.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews