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Monsarrat #4
The Ink Stain
Henry Hallward, editor of the Sydney Chronicle, is a thorn in the side of the colonial administration with his agitations for greater rights for convicts and his criticism of the governor. He's been imprisoned several times for criminal libel, and during one detention, he is shot dead.
Monsarrat and Mrs Mulrooney are sent to investigate, but after Monsarrat meets with Colonel Duchamp, Governor Darling's right-hand man, it becomes clear they are on their own in solving this murder.
As the duo meets other characters whose lives have touched that of brave Hallward, they realise the scope of their enquiries must be broad. There is Gerald Mobbs, editor of the Chronicle's rival newspaper, the Colonial Flyer, which some call a mouthpiece of the administration. There is Duchamp's sister, Henrietta, who seems to want to befriend Mrs Mulrooney, but also to have ulterior motives. There is Albert Bancroft, an �minence grise who may, or may not, own the house opposite the gaol, from where the murderous shot was fired.
The undaunted pair must sift through these suspects, aware that at any moment Duchamp could ignominiously dismiss them, leaving Hallward's murder unsolved and the freedom of the colony's press in grave jeopardy.
Monsarrat and Mrs Mulrooney are sent to investigate, but after Monsarrat meets with Colonel Duchamp, Governor Darling's right-hand man, it becomes clear they are on their own in solving this murder.
As the duo meets other characters whose lives have touched that of brave Hallward, they realise the scope of their enquiries must be broad. There is Gerald Mobbs, editor of the Chronicle's rival newspaper, the Colonial Flyer, which some call a mouthpiece of the administration. There is Duchamp's sister, Henrietta, who seems to want to befriend Mrs Mulrooney, but also to have ulterior motives. There is Albert Bancroft, an �minence grise who may, or may not, own the house opposite the gaol, from where the murderous shot was fired.
The undaunted pair must sift through these suspects, aware that at any moment Duchamp could ignominiously dismiss them, leaving Hallward's murder unsolved and the freedom of the colony's press in grave jeopardy.
324 pages, Paperback
First published March 5, 2019
12 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
About the author
Meg Keneally
12 books119 followersMeg Keneally started her working life as a junior public affairs officer at the Australian Consulate-General in New York, before moving to Dublin to work as a sub-editor and freelance features writer. On returning to Australia, she joined the Daily Telegraph as a general news reporter, covering everything from courts to crime to animals' birthday parties at the zoo. She then joined Radio 2UE as a talkback radio producer.
In 1997 Meg co-founded a financial service public relations company, which she sold after having her first child. For more than ten years, Margaret has worked in corporate affairs for listed financial services companies, and doubles as a part-time SCUBA diving instructor. She lives in Sydney with her husband Craig and children Rory and Alex.
In 1997 Meg co-founded a financial service public relations company, which she sold after having her first child. For more than ten years, Margaret has worked in corporate affairs for listed financial services companies, and doubles as a part-time SCUBA diving instructor. She lives in Sydney with her husband Craig and children Rory and Alex.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 9, 2019
The death of Henry Hallward, editor of the Chronicle, while he was in custody caused Hugh Monsarrat and Mrs Mulrooney to be sent to investigate his death. But Monsarrat was thwarted at every turn by the governor’s second in charge, Colonel Duchamp, while Mrs Mulrooney was taken under the wing of Duchamp’s sister Henrietta. The strange vibes which surrounded both Monsarrat and Mrs Mulrooney had them thinking that the death of a man who irritated the governor with his words and was close to many others for the same reason – was destined not to be solved.
But Monsarrat was determined, as was Mrs Mulrooney. They could see there was corruption and criminal elements – not just in the gaol – and they also knew they needed to be careful in their endeavours. But would this be the end for the two of them? The hardest case they’d had to solve since the beginning?
The Ink Stain is the 4th in the Monsarrat series by Meg Keneally and her father Tom and I enjoyed it. There are a good number of likeable characters in this one (along with our main characters); young Peter, Officer Jardine, Dunolly, Cullan - plus there are many not so nice people. An excellent showing of the hard times in the convict era of Australia; the conflict of newspapers; free press and all that goes with it. (Not much different to today’s world with the press!) Highly recommended.
But Monsarrat was determined, as was Mrs Mulrooney. They could see there was corruption and criminal elements – not just in the gaol – and they also knew they needed to be careful in their endeavours. But would this be the end for the two of them? The hardest case they’d had to solve since the beginning?
The Ink Stain is the 4th in the Monsarrat series by Meg Keneally and her father Tom and I enjoyed it. There are a good number of likeable characters in this one (along with our main characters); young Peter, Officer Jardine, Dunolly, Cullan - plus there are many not so nice people. An excellent showing of the hard times in the convict era of Australia; the conflict of newspapers; free press and all that goes with it. (Not much different to today’s world with the press!) Highly recommended.
December 17, 2019
Although our house is full of books, many waiting to be read and nearly all non-fiction, I quite often find myself thinking that there's nothing here I feel like reading at the moment so off i go to the library.
This time I found several mysteries and launched into The Ink Stain by Meg Keneally and her much more famous writer father Thomas Keneally. It's the fourth in a series set on colonial New South Wales, mostly Sydney, in the late 1820s when the brutal Governor Darling ruled the colony, by then well-enough established to have many ex-convicts and native born in the population as well as soldiers and convicts.
The investigator- hero in this series is a ticket-of-leave man, convicted for forgery and now working as a clerk/secretary for a senior colonial official. He and his housekeeper, Mrs Mulrooney - and ex-convict who has served her term - are sent to solve the murder of a newspaper proprietor who has been consistently critical of Governor Darling - a genuine historical figure - and his Secretary, Duchamps, whose position is genuine but his character and family are fictional.
The Keneallys have written a rapidly moving mystery, the narrative runs strongly and the characters are engaging, all set agains a fully researched historical background where government corruption and attempts to silence dissenting voices feature strongly.
Although it's number 4 in the series, the authors have made it easy to follow the continuing story threads. I've now picked up the first The Soldier's Curse and will read it over the summer break.
This time I found several mysteries and launched into The Ink Stain by Meg Keneally and her much more famous writer father Thomas Keneally. It's the fourth in a series set on colonial New South Wales, mostly Sydney, in the late 1820s when the brutal Governor Darling ruled the colony, by then well-enough established to have many ex-convicts and native born in the population as well as soldiers and convicts.
The investigator- hero in this series is a ticket-of-leave man, convicted for forgery and now working as a clerk/secretary for a senior colonial official. He and his housekeeper, Mrs Mulrooney - and ex-convict who has served her term - are sent to solve the murder of a newspaper proprietor who has been consistently critical of Governor Darling - a genuine historical figure - and his Secretary, Duchamps, whose position is genuine but his character and family are fictional.
The Keneallys have written a rapidly moving mystery, the narrative runs strongly and the characters are engaging, all set agains a fully researched historical background where government corruption and attempts to silence dissenting voices feature strongly.
Although it's number 4 in the series, the authors have made it easy to follow the continuing story threads. I've now picked up the first The Soldier's Curse and will read it over the summer break.
April 29, 2019
This is the fourth in a proposed series of ten books. If they ever made this book series into a television show the ABC would undoubtedly screen it at 8:30 on a Sunday night to replace one of those quaint, British murder mysteries.
This book, even more so than the others, is very much a comical melodrama where the characters are good and bad, black and white. Monsarrat and Mrs Mulrooney are the consummate investigators. With Monsarrat’s heuristic nature and Mrs Mulrooney’s indefatigable character, over 300 pages, they investigate the murder of newspaper proprietor Henry Hallward in Sydney Gaol.
This book is not so much a murder mystery but both a study in manners and an observation of the early white settlement of Australia. It is a character driven novel with the likeable Monsarrat and Mulrooney, young boy Peter and Officer Jardine, against Colonel Duchamp, his sister Henrietta, newspaper owner Gerald Mobbs, the camarilla for the unseen Governor Darling.
The title of the book refers to the newspapers that were being published at the time and Governor Darling’s conflict with them. This theme has overtones of the world today and how a free press is an integral part of a liberal democracy.
I found the authors’ notes of great interest. Firstly, the reader learns that Tom Keneally has been seriously unwell, but fortunately is on the road to recovery. What sort of country would Australia be with out Tom Keneally? Secondly, how much of the story and many of the characters are based on an amalgam of historical characters and places. For lovers of the history of the early white settlement of New South Wales this book would either complement or enhance their knowledge.
I see that Ms Keneally has produced her first stand-alone novel, “Fled”.
Recommended.
This book, even more so than the others, is very much a comical melodrama where the characters are good and bad, black and white. Monsarrat and Mrs Mulrooney are the consummate investigators. With Monsarrat’s heuristic nature and Mrs Mulrooney’s indefatigable character, over 300 pages, they investigate the murder of newspaper proprietor Henry Hallward in Sydney Gaol.
This book is not so much a murder mystery but both a study in manners and an observation of the early white settlement of Australia. It is a character driven novel with the likeable Monsarrat and Mulrooney, young boy Peter and Officer Jardine, against Colonel Duchamp, his sister Henrietta, newspaper owner Gerald Mobbs, the camarilla for the unseen Governor Darling.
The title of the book refers to the newspapers that were being published at the time and Governor Darling’s conflict with them. This theme has overtones of the world today and how a free press is an integral part of a liberal democracy.
I found the authors’ notes of great interest. Firstly, the reader learns that Tom Keneally has been seriously unwell, but fortunately is on the road to recovery. What sort of country would Australia be with out Tom Keneally? Secondly, how much of the story and many of the characters are based on an amalgam of historical characters and places. For lovers of the history of the early white settlement of New South Wales this book would either complement or enhance their knowledge.
I see that Ms Keneally has produced her first stand-alone novel, “Fled”.
Recommended.
July 6, 2025
Maybe I left it too long between instalments, or maybe it was because I opted for the audiobook, but this book was a bit of a letdown compared with the earlier ones in the series. While the main crime was physical and thrilling, the mystery behind it was very bureaucratic and quite dull. The author's note at the end details just how much of the plot is based on historical facts, and that was somewhat redeeming, but not enough to rate it higher.
November 14, 2022
Excellent as always, but I would like Hannah and Montserrat to smog though 🤪
Highly recommended
Highly recommended
June 24, 2019
I am very much enjoying this series about Hugh Monsarrat and his friend/ housekeeper Hannah Mulrooney, both of them having been sent to New South Wales as convicts. This book, the fourth in the series, is essentially about freedom of the press, a very timely subject for discussion in our country at the moment. I highly recommend this series for anyone interested in the early history of Australia and also anyone who enjoys a good story involving crime in a historical setting.
February 10, 2020
I'm so sad I've finished Ink Stain, especially as we will probably have to wait for a 5th installment until 2021. Monsarrat and Mrs M reprise their roles as super sleuths this time under Governor Darling, a cruel dictator. Again brilliantly written by the Keneally's it was easy to fall into step with the characters. The addition of Peter and a small love interest for Mrs M was a wonderful touch. The undertone of the story, teaching of the importance of a free press, is more relevant today than ever. If we can't learn from history I'm not sure we deserve a future. I'm looking forward to Monsarrat and Mrs M heading west next time and learning more about Poderiks life.
March 2, 2021
I really enjoyed this 4th book in a series involving a charming pair of "detectives" who solve early colonial crimes. In this episode, Mrs Mulrooney steps to the fore. Sly humour, detailed character development and mystery abound.
Looking forward to more.
Henry Hallward, editor of the Sydney Chronicle, is a thorn in the side of the colonial administration with his agitations for greater rights for convicts and his criticism of the governor. He's been imprisoned several times for criminal libel, and during one detention, he is shot dead.
Monsarrat and Mrs Mulrooney are sent to investigate, but after Monsarrat meets with Colonel Duchamp, Governor Darling's right-hand man, it becomes clear they are on their own in solving this murder.
As the duo meets other characters whose lives have touched that of brave Hallward, they realise the scope of their enquiries must be broad. There is Gerald Mobbs, editor of the Chronicle's rival newspaper, the Colonial Flyer, which some call a mouthpiece of the administration. There is Duchamp's sister, Henrietta, who seems to want to befriend Mrs Mulrooney, but also to have ulterior motives. There is Albert Bancroft, an �minence grise who may, or may not, own the house opposite the gaol, from where the murderous shot was fired.
The undaunted pair must sift through these suspects, aware that at any moment Duchamp could ignominiously dismiss them, leaving Hallward's murder unsolved and the freedom of the colony's press in grave jeopardy.
Looking forward to more.
Henry Hallward, editor of the Sydney Chronicle, is a thorn in the side of the colonial administration with his agitations for greater rights for convicts and his criticism of the governor. He's been imprisoned several times for criminal libel, and during one detention, he is shot dead.
Monsarrat and Mrs Mulrooney are sent to investigate, but after Monsarrat meets with Colonel Duchamp, Governor Darling's right-hand man, it becomes clear they are on their own in solving this murder.
As the duo meets other characters whose lives have touched that of brave Hallward, they realise the scope of their enquiries must be broad. There is Gerald Mobbs, editor of the Chronicle's rival newspaper, the Colonial Flyer, which some call a mouthpiece of the administration. There is Duchamp's sister, Henrietta, who seems to want to befriend Mrs Mulrooney, but also to have ulterior motives. There is Albert Bancroft, an �minence grise who may, or may not, own the house opposite the gaol, from where the murderous shot was fired.
The undaunted pair must sift through these suspects, aware that at any moment Duchamp could ignominiously dismiss them, leaving Hallward's murder unsolved and the freedom of the colony's press in grave jeopardy.
August 28, 2019
Loving this series. Tom and Meg Keneally, make a great writing team. I saw them both at the Byron Writers Festival a few years ago, when the first book of the series was published. Tom said he has 12 books in his head and recruited, Meg, “in case he carked it before he finished them”. I’m so glad there are many more books in the series, to look forward to.
August 14, 2020
Enjoyable mystery set in colonial era Australia. Love the characters and I really liked the look at the early struggles for a free press in my own country. Really timely with federal police raiding journalists offices, homes and undies drawers. Plus ça change, I guess.
January 16, 2021
3.5 stars. Once again it is the relationship between the central characters that appeals most to me. I felt The Ink Stain dragged on a little and could have been wrapped up quicker. Still overall a good light mystery with some Australian history thrown in.
March 7, 2019
This is one of the most convoluted, frustrating, and almost unsolvable cases so far. YOu'll enjoy every minute!
March 20, 2019
I found this story enjoyable and hard to put down, despite it being relatively easy to predict the ending. I especially enjoyed the Author Note explaining what is fact versus fiction.
May 10, 2019
No surprises with this book, as good as the last three!
Just another enjoyable Monsarrat missive.
Meg and Tom Keneally make a great novel writing team.
Just another enjoyable Monsarrat missive.
Meg and Tom Keneally make a great novel writing team.
May 20, 2019
I am enjoying immensely the adventures of Monsarrat and look forward to the next stage in his adventures
November 26, 2019
Great series - wonderful way of doing history
December 28, 2019
Wonderful historical writing examines the freedom of the press in colonial NSW, making it scarily topical.
December 28, 2019
Number 4 in the series and light reading. She is good creating the image of colonial times in australia.
March 17, 2020
Excellent! I’ve really enjoyed reading the series and having the characters develop. Looking forward to the next one when released.
August 27, 2020
Great read
September 26, 2020
Great historical novel on colonial Australia. Engaging, humorous style that evoked vivid imagery.
July 19, 2021
Am enjoying this series and would give this one a 3.5 ⭐️
January 29, 2022
Fabulous, fabulous. Plunge deep into story with this series. Adored this fourth installment, waiting anxiously for more! (C'mon, Meg and Tom :))
Read
May 30, 2022Absolutely fantastic. The Monsarrat series is one I have now bought - to re read infanatum
April 19, 2019
This is a fun series, if indeed murder mysteries can be deemed fun!! But the books are light enjoyable mysteries set in Colonial Sydney. The authors give the city some real colour and substance interspersed with history and fiction. And that’s the fun bit.
As each book has passed you become increasingly attached to the two central characters; Monssarat and Mrs Mulroney, who feel like family.
This latest edition is probably the most convoluted so far. But the authors notes at the end are a wonderful supplement to the books themselves.
I believe there are another six to come, so something to look forward too. So get on board and enjoy these rollicking yarns for what they - fun, escapist, mystery thrillers.
As each book has passed you become increasingly attached to the two central characters; Monssarat and Mrs Mulroney, who feel like family.
This latest edition is probably the most convoluted so far. But the authors notes at the end are a wonderful supplement to the books themselves.
I believe there are another six to come, so something to look forward too. So get on board and enjoy these rollicking yarns for what they - fun, escapist, mystery thrillers.
July 22, 2021
The convict era of Australia’s history brought to life by not one, but two Keneallys.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews