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Eureka Run
A fast-paced, action-packed historical adventure.
London 1852: Following a disastrous duel, John Farrington has lost everything - his army commission, his reputation, and the love of his life. When he becomes the target of a powerful, vengeful family he is forced to run, boarding a ship bound for Australia.
Hong Kong 1853: Master Feng, operatic impresario accused of treason, flees with his star performer, 'The Emperor's Nightingale'. Fate places them aboard a Yankee clipper ship to the great continent in the south.
Melbourne 1853: From humble beginnings, Cate Shearley is determined to make a prosperous life for herself and her son Jack, and has built up an enviable business as proprietor of the Golden Sheaf Hotel and Shearley's Variety Theatre. When her shows have the crowds flocking in, Cate realises there is even more money to be made entertaining the gold-rich miners of Ballarat.
But as Shearley's Travelling Variety Show sets off for the goldfields, two in the troupe have ruthless enemies in pursuit. And their world will explode at the Eureka diggings, where the fuse of revolution has already been lit . . .
London 1852: Following a disastrous duel, John Farrington has lost everything - his army commission, his reputation, and the love of his life. When he becomes the target of a powerful, vengeful family he is forced to run, boarding a ship bound for Australia.
Hong Kong 1853: Master Feng, operatic impresario accused of treason, flees with his star performer, 'The Emperor's Nightingale'. Fate places them aboard a Yankee clipper ship to the great continent in the south.
Melbourne 1853: From humble beginnings, Cate Shearley is determined to make a prosperous life for herself and her son Jack, and has built up an enviable business as proprietor of the Golden Sheaf Hotel and Shearley's Variety Theatre. When her shows have the crowds flocking in, Cate realises there is even more money to be made entertaining the gold-rich miners of Ballarat.
But as Shearley's Travelling Variety Show sets off for the goldfields, two in the troupe have ruthless enemies in pursuit. And their world will explode at the Eureka diggings, where the fuse of revolution has already been lit . . .
- GenresAdventure
336 pages, Paperback
Published July 3, 2017
22 people want to read
About the author
Bruce Venables
7 books4 followersBruce Venables was born in Hobart and was a member of the Tasmanian Police Force. In 1976 he joined the Royal Hong Kong police as an Inspector. He served in the Hong Kong Marine Police as a launch commander and in the Tactical Unit as a platoon commander.
In 1984 Bruce took up residence in Sydney and began his career as a writer of film and television scripts. He is also well known to Australian audiences as an actor.
He is the author of a collection of poetry, The Spirit Of The Bush, and four novels: A Necessary Evil, The Time of the Dragons, Two Tigers, One Mountain and Scattered Monkeys.
Bruce lives in Sydney, and is married to bestselling novelist and actress, Judy Nunn.
In 1984 Bruce took up residence in Sydney and began his career as a writer of film and television scripts. He is also well known to Australian audiences as an actor.
He is the author of a collection of poetry, The Spirit Of The Bush, and four novels: A Necessary Evil, The Time of the Dragons, Two Tigers, One Mountain and Scattered Monkeys.
Bruce lives in Sydney, and is married to bestselling novelist and actress, Judy Nunn.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 4, 2021
Growing up in Ballarat I am more than familiar with the Eureka Stockade. I was looking forward to a historical novel, but it just fell flat for me. It was slow going, in the end I just skimmed over the last few chapters so I could finish and get on with a new book
October 10, 2017
It is 1852 and John Farrington's life was the army until he was involved in a duel and had to leave England to the safety of Australia.
A young girl with a beautiful voice and is known as "The Emporer's Nightingale" has to flee with Master Feng from Hong Kong and catch the first ship out, which happens to be heading for Australia.
Cate Shearley and her young son also has to run when her life is threatened and ends up entertaining gold miners in Ballarat.
In the background is the history of the Eureka stockade.
A young girl with a beautiful voice and is known as "The Emporer's Nightingale" has to flee with Master Feng from Hong Kong and catch the first ship out, which happens to be heading for Australia.
Cate Shearley and her young son also has to run when her life is threatened and ends up entertaining gold miners in Ballarat.
In the background is the history of the Eureka stockade.
October 18, 2018
A disparate group of individuals travel to the Ballarat goldfields in the 1850s for differing reasons. One due to a duel gone wrong, a small Chinese opera group running from the Emperor, and a single mother and her son from London via New York and San Francisco.
All coincidentally meet up and form an entertainment group that travels to the goldfields just prior to the Eureka Rebellion. This is where fact and fiction meld as real events and people are incorporated into the plot. A few surprises added to the plot maintain the reader's interest.
Venables does a good job of raising awareness of an important part of Australian history. However I found the actions sometimes predictable and the characters to be a bit stereotypical, though I still enjoyed the read.
All coincidentally meet up and form an entertainment group that travels to the goldfields just prior to the Eureka Rebellion. This is where fact and fiction meld as real events and people are incorporated into the plot. A few surprises added to the plot maintain the reader's interest.
Venables does a good job of raising awareness of an important part of Australian history. However I found the actions sometimes predictable and the characters to be a bit stereotypical, though I still enjoyed the read.
March 5, 2018
I loved these diverse characters that formed a tight friendship on the goldfields of Ballarat. With the Eureka Rebellion as a backdrop, the story is full of adventure and historical detail. A great Australian story.
May 24, 2023
A clever narrative weaved in amongst a very interesting period of Australian history. A few too many coincidences from the other side of the world to take it too seriously, but held my attention for a couple of days.
November 28, 2017
Story-telling at its best. Bravo Mr Venables!
December 28, 2021
Nice easy read.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews