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A Woody Creek Novel #7
Trails in the Dust
After many tumultuous years spent grappling with the past, Jenny Hooper might have expected her latter years to be the best of her life, and they are - until tragedy strikes. Left floundering in a house full of memories, not all of them good, Jenny knows a reckoning is in order.But it won't be easy. History is beginning to repeat itself for Jenny's adopted daughter, Trudy, who finds herself trapped in an abusive relationship. Jenny and her older daughter, Georgie, can only stand by and watch as Trudy's life implodes.Meanwhile, half a world away in the UK, Cara and her husband Morrie nurture a devastating secret that keeps them at arm's length from Jenny.But most of all, Jenny wants to renew contact with the beloved son she lost decades before when she was at her lowest ebb. Only that, and having the chance to tell him the truth about what happened, will give her peace. But is it too late?
368 pages, Paperback
Published November 1, 2019
22 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
About the author
Joy Dettman
22 books163 followersJoy Dettman was born in country Victoria and spent her early years in towns on either side of the Murray River. She is an award-winning writer of short stories, the complete collection of which, Diamonds in the Mud, was published in 2007, as well as the highly acclaimed novels Mallawindy, Jacaranda Blue, Goose Girl, Yesterday's Dust, The Seventh Day, Henry's Daughter, One Sunday, Pearl in a Cage, Thorn on the Rose, Moth to the Flame and Wind in the Wires. Ripples on a Pond is Joy's fifth novel in her Woody Creek series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
August 17, 2019
I feel that I should not be rating this book as I have not read the whole series so found the characters and their relationships hard to follow. So I will attempt to read the other books and see if my opinion changes.
I found the story itself quite depressing and quite a few of the characters unlikeable. I really think that those who are reading this as a 'last' book in the series will be disappointed with the ending, so perhaps there is another book yet to come.
Thank you Tracy at Carpe Librum and Pan MacMillan for my copy of this book.
I found the story itself quite depressing and quite a few of the characters unlikeable. I really think that those who are reading this as a 'last' book in the series will be disappointed with the ending, so perhaps there is another book yet to come.
Thank you Tracy at Carpe Librum and Pan MacMillan for my copy of this book.
July 4, 2019
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
Trails in the Dust is the seventh and final chapter of the Woody Creek series. Penned by much loved storyteller Joy Dettman, Trails in the Dust is a quintessential Australian novel and an all encompassing tale of family, love, secrets and reconciling the past with the present. With a strong focus on character, Dettman closes her popular and enduring Woody Creek series with the full treatment it deserves.
In Joy Dettman’s final instalment of the Woody Creek series, the past comes back to haunt Jenny Hooper, a woman entering her twilight years. After decades of upheaval, Jenny hopes that her last years will present her with less strain than she has previously encountered. However, it seems life will deal Jenny with another blow to contend with. As Jenny copes with yet another tragedy, her family are also facing their own issues. With one daughter caught up in an abusive relationship, Jenny can only watch on in frustration. Ripples also occur in the lives of those who are intertwined with Jenny, on the other side of the world. But, for Jenny Hooper, one final act of courage must be made at this late stage of her life. Jenny needs to reconnect with her lost child, finally unveiling the truth and making up for past mistakes. But time is clearly ticking away for Jenny.
I am sure for loyal followers of the Woody Creek series, which began with the book Pearl in a Cage, this pivotal conclusion to the popular long running series has been eagerly awaited. On the very first page of Trails in the Dust, Joy Dettman states “she owed herself and her readers a more satisfying end to her epic tale”. With a deep commitment on behalf of the author to send her beloved Woody Creek series off in the best means possible, I am confident followers of this epic saga will be more than satisfied with Trails in the Dust. For newcomers, I do suggest picking up the previous novels in this series, as it will enhance your reading experience of Trails in the Dust.
Trails in the Dust largely revolves around Jenny Hooper, a defining character in Dettman’s well received series. The story also dips in and out of the interesting lives of other key players, aided by Dettman’s strong characterisation skills. Trails in the Dust is divided into three engrossing parts, with an intriguing prologue and a conclusive epilogue. Trails in the Dust and all the accompanying books in this series are well written, engaging, highly readable and rich in Australian small town flavour.
Trails in the Dust chronicles the past, present and future of Jenny Hooper, her offspring and the townsfolk of Woody Creek. It is a somewhat meandering, but colourful tale, with plenty of accompanying plot twists, turns and surprising moments. The small town setting base of Woody Creek is depicted with a great deal of clarity by Dettman and I would have to say this is my favourite aspect of the book. There are plenty of themes that the author dishes out as the story unfolds, from loss, grief, regret, secrets, the past, ill fated decisions, reconciliation, relationships and ageing, all of which are tinged with a sense of nostalgia. Much like the ups and downs we experience in life, Dettman takes a critical glance at how our lives are shaped by decisions, difficult acts, secrets and often feelings of regret. At many times I felt the brevity of the acts committed by the characters in this novel and the strong emotional pull of this tale. As I have followed this series from the start, I did feel a sense of sadness when it came to say goodbye. However, as I have enjoyed other standalone works by the author, I am sure Joy Dettman has something exciting and new in the pipeline.
Dettman has paid the ultimate tribute to Woody Creek series by releasing Trails in the Dust, which wraps up this acclaimed Australian series well. The publication of the seventh and last chapter in this saga may work to incite new interest in the Woody Creek series as a whole and Joy Dettman’s extensive backlist.
*Thanks extended to Pan Macmillan for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Trails in the Dust is book #94 of the 2019 Australian Women Writers Challenge
Trails in the Dust is the seventh and final chapter of the Woody Creek series. Penned by much loved storyteller Joy Dettman, Trails in the Dust is a quintessential Australian novel and an all encompassing tale of family, love, secrets and reconciling the past with the present. With a strong focus on character, Dettman closes her popular and enduring Woody Creek series with the full treatment it deserves.
In Joy Dettman’s final instalment of the Woody Creek series, the past comes back to haunt Jenny Hooper, a woman entering her twilight years. After decades of upheaval, Jenny hopes that her last years will present her with less strain than she has previously encountered. However, it seems life will deal Jenny with another blow to contend with. As Jenny copes with yet another tragedy, her family are also facing their own issues. With one daughter caught up in an abusive relationship, Jenny can only watch on in frustration. Ripples also occur in the lives of those who are intertwined with Jenny, on the other side of the world. But, for Jenny Hooper, one final act of courage must be made at this late stage of her life. Jenny needs to reconnect with her lost child, finally unveiling the truth and making up for past mistakes. But time is clearly ticking away for Jenny.
I am sure for loyal followers of the Woody Creek series, which began with the book Pearl in a Cage, this pivotal conclusion to the popular long running series has been eagerly awaited. On the very first page of Trails in the Dust, Joy Dettman states “she owed herself and her readers a more satisfying end to her epic tale”. With a deep commitment on behalf of the author to send her beloved Woody Creek series off in the best means possible, I am confident followers of this epic saga will be more than satisfied with Trails in the Dust. For newcomers, I do suggest picking up the previous novels in this series, as it will enhance your reading experience of Trails in the Dust.
Trails in the Dust largely revolves around Jenny Hooper, a defining character in Dettman’s well received series. The story also dips in and out of the interesting lives of other key players, aided by Dettman’s strong characterisation skills. Trails in the Dust is divided into three engrossing parts, with an intriguing prologue and a conclusive epilogue. Trails in the Dust and all the accompanying books in this series are well written, engaging, highly readable and rich in Australian small town flavour.
Trails in the Dust chronicles the past, present and future of Jenny Hooper, her offspring and the townsfolk of Woody Creek. It is a somewhat meandering, but colourful tale, with plenty of accompanying plot twists, turns and surprising moments. The small town setting base of Woody Creek is depicted with a great deal of clarity by Dettman and I would have to say this is my favourite aspect of the book. There are plenty of themes that the author dishes out as the story unfolds, from loss, grief, regret, secrets, the past, ill fated decisions, reconciliation, relationships and ageing, all of which are tinged with a sense of nostalgia. Much like the ups and downs we experience in life, Dettman takes a critical glance at how our lives are shaped by decisions, difficult acts, secrets and often feelings of regret. At many times I felt the brevity of the acts committed by the characters in this novel and the strong emotional pull of this tale. As I have followed this series from the start, I did feel a sense of sadness when it came to say goodbye. However, as I have enjoyed other standalone works by the author, I am sure Joy Dettman has something exciting and new in the pipeline.
Dettman has paid the ultimate tribute to Woody Creek series by releasing Trails in the Dust, which wraps up this acclaimed Australian series well. The publication of the seventh and last chapter in this saga may work to incite new interest in the Woody Creek series as a whole and Joy Dettman’s extensive backlist.
*Thanks extended to Pan Macmillan for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Trails in the Dust is book #94 of the 2019 Australian Women Writers Challenge
July 2, 2019
Review to come upon posting date for Pan Macmillan Australia blog tour :)
September 26, 2019
Very disappointing. Most of the book was just rehashing in detail all the previous books. I found the writing quite tedious. How many times do I need to know that her mobile phone’s battery was flat and she had to charge it. Really?? Who cares! Also having to buy elastic for her pants. Again , really? Who cares. Very tedious, very long book that could be cut down by 75%. Not the Joy Dettman writing we have come to love.
January 29, 2020
Although I had read most of the previous books, I found it hard to recollect the relationships. A family tree or a summary at the beginning might have helped. To me there seemed to be big dumps of information in the first half, and I found it tedious. The story improved as it went along, but the ending was very open ended. If there is a sequel, I don’t think I can be bothered wading through it. Jenny is a great character,but perhaps it’s time to finish this series.
September 17, 2019
I have really enjoyed this series. Even though it has been awhile since I listened to the last book Jenny's complicated life story came back to me. I was happy with her meeting of Cara and Jimmy in England but the ending left a lot to be desired. I wish the book had gone on for longer and I would have enjoyed another installment.
July 7, 2019
I have a confession to make. I haven’t read Joy Dettman’s books before, even though I’ve always meant to. Australiana novels are a genre that I’ve been reading since my teens (often during study weeks). Trails in the Dust is the seventh and final book in the Woody Creek series, focusing on a family in the fictional Victorian town of Woody Creek. It gives closure to the main characters of Jenny, Jim, Georgie, Trudy and Cara.
I’m generally a reader who reads a series in order, but in this day and age I’ll just jump in wherever to see if I like an author and their style. I did have some difficulty understanding several things initially in this book. I felt like I’d come in at the wrong end of a conversation (you know, the part that makes it all seem completely different to what was actually said). First of all, trying to understand Jenny’s relationships with Trudy and Georgie and her link with Cara. They are very complex relationships and I found it best to just keep reading to work out the type of relationship Jenny had with each of her daughters. (Or you could just read the blurbs/reviews of each of the previous novels in the series if you don’t mind spoilers). Dettman gives a very detailed account of what has happened to each of Jenny’s daughters as well as mentioning Jenny’s own trials and tribulations. It’s fair to say that none of them has had an easy life. (I also think I would just keep driving through Woody Creek if I was there – it seems to be a bit too eventful for me!). I’d also recommend reading the blurbs to get a sense of the time period of the novel. Not knowing if a novel is set in modern times or the past is a personal bugbear of mine. I must admit to searching for signs of mobile phones, the internet and social media to get an idea of when everything was occurring. (It does right itself out in the book, but if this is something that concerns you, seek out the blurbs first).
Trails in the Dust isn’t without drama and heartache that readers of the series will be familiar with. Jenny is now an older lady, hoping for a quieter life but suspecting that Trudy and her children won’t be granting that. The strain of the previous dramas has had a toll on husband Jim, which affects Jenny and her daughters. Jenny decides that now is the time to try to reconnect with her lost son and tell him the truth. It’s not as easy journey for Jenny and her daughters also have a number of dramas to contend with. The writing is detailed and heart wrenching at times as Dettman puts her characters through the wringer. Jenny is faced with grief and regret at the past, looking back at her past life and wondering at the choices and paths. It makes for an emotionally dense novel, intricately plotted that I’m sure will delight fans of the series.
Thank you to Pan Macmillan for the copy of this book. My review is honest.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
I’m generally a reader who reads a series in order, but in this day and age I’ll just jump in wherever to see if I like an author and their style. I did have some difficulty understanding several things initially in this book. I felt like I’d come in at the wrong end of a conversation (you know, the part that makes it all seem completely different to what was actually said). First of all, trying to understand Jenny’s relationships with Trudy and Georgie and her link with Cara. They are very complex relationships and I found it best to just keep reading to work out the type of relationship Jenny had with each of her daughters. (Or you could just read the blurbs/reviews of each of the previous novels in the series if you don’t mind spoilers). Dettman gives a very detailed account of what has happened to each of Jenny’s daughters as well as mentioning Jenny’s own trials and tribulations. It’s fair to say that none of them has had an easy life. (I also think I would just keep driving through Woody Creek if I was there – it seems to be a bit too eventful for me!). I’d also recommend reading the blurbs to get a sense of the time period of the novel. Not knowing if a novel is set in modern times or the past is a personal bugbear of mine. I must admit to searching for signs of mobile phones, the internet and social media to get an idea of when everything was occurring. (It does right itself out in the book, but if this is something that concerns you, seek out the blurbs first).
Trails in the Dust isn’t without drama and heartache that readers of the series will be familiar with. Jenny is now an older lady, hoping for a quieter life but suspecting that Trudy and her children won’t be granting that. The strain of the previous dramas has had a toll on husband Jim, which affects Jenny and her daughters. Jenny decides that now is the time to try to reconnect with her lost son and tell him the truth. It’s not as easy journey for Jenny and her daughters also have a number of dramas to contend with. The writing is detailed and heart wrenching at times as Dettman puts her characters through the wringer. Jenny is faced with grief and regret at the past, looking back at her past life and wondering at the choices and paths. It makes for an emotionally dense novel, intricately plotted that I’m sure will delight fans of the series.
Thank you to Pan Macmillan for the copy of this book. My review is honest.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
August 1, 2019
'After many tumultuous years spent grappling with the past, Jenny Hooper might have expected her latter years to be the best of her life, and they are - until tragedy strikes. Left floundering in a house full of memories, not all of them good, Jenny knows a reckoning is in order.
But it won't be easy. History is beginning to repeat itself for Jenny's adopted daughter, Trudy, who finds herself trapped in an abusive relationship. Jenny and her older daughter, Georgie, can only stand by and watch as Trudy's life implodes.
Meanwhile, half a world away in the UK, Cara and her husband Morrie nurture a devastating secret that keeps them at arm's length from Jenny.
But most of all, Jenny wants to renew contact with the beloved son she lost decades before when she was at her lowest ebb. Only that, and having the chance to tell him the truth about what happened, will give her peace. But is it too late?'
I didn't love this book.
I really wanted to like this book, and at times I did, but it just fell flat overall. I loved the idea of the story and I was interested and seeing it play out, yet it was so choppy and hard to follow at times, that I found myself losing interest in what was actually going on.
There were so many characters to get to know, and I felt that now of them were fully developed. This made it difficult for me to really care about what was happening with them.
I also had big issues with the writing. I had bad pacing to start with. I would get on a good flow and then it was like hitting a wall. I found it really jarring.
My biggest issue with the writing was not knowing who I was reading about. I'm not a huge fan of multiple points of view at the best of times, but it really annoyed my in this book.
As there were no headings or markers to tell you that you had changed points of view, I would be reading a new chapter and all these new characters would appear and I had no idea what was going on. This made for a very irritating reading experience.
This book had a lot of potential, unfortunately it just wasted it.
Trails In The Dust by Joy Dettman is out now.
Geramie Kate Barker
gemsbooknook.wordpress.com
But it won't be easy. History is beginning to repeat itself for Jenny's adopted daughter, Trudy, who finds herself trapped in an abusive relationship. Jenny and her older daughter, Georgie, can only stand by and watch as Trudy's life implodes.
Meanwhile, half a world away in the UK, Cara and her husband Morrie nurture a devastating secret that keeps them at arm's length from Jenny.
But most of all, Jenny wants to renew contact with the beloved son she lost decades before when she was at her lowest ebb. Only that, and having the chance to tell him the truth about what happened, will give her peace. But is it too late?'
I didn't love this book.
I really wanted to like this book, and at times I did, but it just fell flat overall. I loved the idea of the story and I was interested and seeing it play out, yet it was so choppy and hard to follow at times, that I found myself losing interest in what was actually going on.
There were so many characters to get to know, and I felt that now of them were fully developed. This made it difficult for me to really care about what was happening with them.
I also had big issues with the writing. I had bad pacing to start with. I would get on a good flow and then it was like hitting a wall. I found it really jarring.
My biggest issue with the writing was not knowing who I was reading about. I'm not a huge fan of multiple points of view at the best of times, but it really annoyed my in this book.
As there were no headings or markers to tell you that you had changed points of view, I would be reading a new chapter and all these new characters would appear and I had no idea what was going on. This made for a very irritating reading experience.
This book had a lot of potential, unfortunately it just wasted it.
Trails In The Dust by Joy Dettman is out now.
Geramie Kate Barker
gemsbooknook.wordpress.com
August 22, 2019
Thanks to Beautyandlace and pan Macmillan I was given the opportunity to review 'Trails in the Dust'.
Jenny Hooper is almost 80 years old, lives in Woody Creek a fictional Victorian town, a writer under the name of Juliana Conti. She arrives home after time out with friends to Willama to find her husband Jim missing. Her adopted daughter and her twins have been staying and have just left so she is feeling the silence.
Jenny has led a very complicated and eventful life, has two daughters, and a son from who she is estranged.
This is a book in a series so took some time to figure out who was who. Once I sorted out the relationships I found this book absorbing.
This is the 7th book in the Woody Creek series I think it would have been better to have read the earlier books first, however I'm hoping that the series may continue but not sure of a follow up.
Jenny Hooper is almost 80 years old, lives in Woody Creek a fictional Victorian town, a writer under the name of Juliana Conti. She arrives home after time out with friends to Willama to find her husband Jim missing. Her adopted daughter and her twins have been staying and have just left so she is feeling the silence.
Jenny has led a very complicated and eventful life, has two daughters, and a son from who she is estranged.
This is a book in a series so took some time to figure out who was who. Once I sorted out the relationships I found this book absorbing.
This is the 7th book in the Woody Creek series I think it would have been better to have read the earlier books first, however I'm hoping that the series may continue but not sure of a follow up.
September 3, 2021
oof.
It was nice to hear how everyone ended up, but DON'T read this by audiobook.
The amount of recapping in this novel is HUGE - if you have a print novel you'd be able to skim through the tedious retelling of previous plotlines. With an audiobook you're trapped.
It was nice to hear how everyone ended up, but DON'T read this by audiobook.
The amount of recapping in this novel is HUGE - if you have a print novel you'd be able to skim through the tedious retelling of previous plotlines. With an audiobook you're trapped.
September 3, 2020
I found this book very long winded, it was an effort to finish this one
December 31, 2019
Throughout my childhood I used to drive hours to visit my grandparents in their small town on the NSW South Coast so I have a super soft spot for small country towns. Still, im not sure I would want to be living in Woody Creek, the central setting of Joy Dettman’s new novel, Trails in the Dust! I think id be feeling the same as her protagonist, Jenny Hooper, who sees a town in decline with businesses closing and small town mindsets and petty family histories corrupting the present. This is a complex novel about the sins of the parents coming back to haunt their children as Jenny seeks to atone for past mistakes and get back in touch with the son she was forced to give up for adoption. Throw in a damaged vietnam war veteran husband, a slew of super tangled foster/illegitimate/adopted children, an abusive and drug addicted son in law, and you have poor Jenny trying to battle against some really unfairly odds stacked against her. While I sometimes found the messy relationships tricky to follow, Dettman shows us how difficult it can be to be a woman, particularly in an insular and hostile environment like Woody Creek, and how far mistakes can reach. And yet, what really shines with this story, is how resilient women can be, forging ahead to take care of those they love, no matter the personal cost. Jenny is a force to be reckoned with and you will be cheering her on from the sidelines of this novel! I also had a huge soft spot for Lila, Jenny’s faithful dog and I had my own little pupper, Angus to accompany me through this read
October 9, 2019
When I picked up this book as my next school holiday read, I honestly did not expect to be drawn so quickly into the lives of Jenny Hooper and her offspring.
What I liked about Dettman’s storytelling is that she does not shy away from making her characters realistic. Their qualities are mostly positive – such as caring, loyal and determined - but they also have some clear flaws - selfishness, jealousy, impatience and ignorance. We can see this combination of qualities in Jenny’s honesty (though there are times that she omits the truth for the sake of others), Nick’s addiction and cruelty and Georgie’s patience. I also liked the focus on the land around their home and the descriptive detail put into the Australian countryside.
What I didn’t engage with as much were some of the more extreme elements in a variety of character’s backstories – some of the events seemed quite farfetched!
Though I understand that this was Book 7 in The Woody Creek Series, I read it as a standalone and was definitely not disappointed!
Thank you @macmillanaus for gifting me this copy to review!
What I liked about Dettman’s storytelling is that she does not shy away from making her characters realistic. Their qualities are mostly positive – such as caring, loyal and determined - but they also have some clear flaws - selfishness, jealousy, impatience and ignorance. We can see this combination of qualities in Jenny’s honesty (though there are times that she omits the truth for the sake of others), Nick’s addiction and cruelty and Georgie’s patience. I also liked the focus on the land around their home and the descriptive detail put into the Australian countryside.
What I didn’t engage with as much were some of the more extreme elements in a variety of character’s backstories – some of the events seemed quite farfetched!
Though I understand that this was Book 7 in The Woody Creek Series, I read it as a standalone and was definitely not disappointed!
Thank you @macmillanaus for gifting me this copy to review!
July 11, 2019
The Woody Creek series by Joy Dettman follows country girl Jenny Hooper throughout her eventful and chaotic life. Trails in the Dust, the final instalment in this series, ties off a lot of loose ends for those of us who have been reading about Jenny for years. Prepare for a lot of nostalgia as references from previous books pop up in this last book, and remind you of the eventful, sometimes wonderful, and often crazy life that Jenny has led.
Even in her older years, Jenny still struggles to find peace and quiet, but you know, somehow I feel she is quite okay with that. Her resilience and strength continues all the way through to the last sentence of the last chapter. She is the true definition of a great Aussie Battler.
And for the record, Georgie will forever be my favourite character in this series - Thank you Jenny for giving her to us, and to Joy for creating these wonderful characters for us to meet and love.
Even in her older years, Jenny still struggles to find peace and quiet, but you know, somehow I feel she is quite okay with that. Her resilience and strength continues all the way through to the last sentence of the last chapter. She is the true definition of a great Aussie Battler.
And for the record, Georgie will forever be my favourite character in this series - Thank you Jenny for giving her to us, and to Joy for creating these wonderful characters for us to meet and love.
July 12, 2019
Trails in the Dust is the seventh and final instalment in Dettman’s bestselling Woody Creek series. I would highly recommend you read the rest of the series before this one... I didn’t and I feel that it was to my detriment. There’s quite a bit of recap of the series in the first half of the book but there are so many characters, and they have such complicated relationships and connections to one one another, that it was probably only intended to be a refresher for existing readers rather than to get new readers up to speed with past events. I spent a good portion of the book feeling confused but once I got my head around who everyone was, I quite enjoyed the plot—there was so much drama!
If you’ve read the rest of the Woody Creek series, I think you’ll probably really enjoy this one.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Pan Macmillan Australia as part of a blog tour. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
2.5 rounded up
If you’ve read the rest of the Woody Creek series, I think you’ll probably really enjoy this one.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Pan Macmillan Australia as part of a blog tour. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
2.5 rounded up
August 29, 2019
I really enjoyed this book and ‘catching up’ with Jenny and her family.
I think it’s pretty essential to read the other books in the series before you read this one. As it’s been about 5 years since I finished reading the first 6 Woody Creek books, my memory was a bit rusty and I was more than half way through the book before I could recall what Cara’s connection to Jenny was. Jenny has a complicated family, but if you read the seven books in order all will become clear.
I was a bit disappointed with the sudden ending. There are a few loose ends and unanswered questions, and I would really like to see an 8th book.
I think it’s pretty essential to read the other books in the series before you read this one. As it’s been about 5 years since I finished reading the first 6 Woody Creek books, my memory was a bit rusty and I was more than half way through the book before I could recall what Cara’s connection to Jenny was. Jenny has a complicated family, but if you read the seven books in order all will become clear.
I was a bit disappointed with the sudden ending. There are a few loose ends and unanswered questions, and I would really like to see an 8th book.
September 14, 2019
The Woody Creek stories have been one of my all time favourite series. I’ve enjoyed the characters, setting and story line immensely and have been patiently waiting for Trails in the Dust.
Not my favourite book of the series by any means.
I thought the ending was nowhere near as good as it was leading up too leaving me a little disappointed.
I would’ve loved to hear what happened to Jenny after the dramatic build up.
I do love the authors writing style though and this series brought back many a childhood memory.
Not my favourite book of the series by any means.
I thought the ending was nowhere near as good as it was leading up too leaving me a little disappointed.
I would’ve loved to hear what happened to Jenny after the dramatic build up.
I do love the authors writing style though and this series brought back many a childhood memory.
October 4, 2019
Neither the cover of this book nor the blurb mention that this is part a series, so when I picked it up I was thoroughly confused about who was who and there are a lot of characters.
I did catch on after a while and grew to enjoy the characters and the story, but found if I put it down for a few days, I had to relearn the characters relationships.
I will have to read this series from the beginning to truly understand everything within this saga.
Thanks to Beauty and Lace Book Club and Pan Macmillan Australia for a copy in return for an honest review.
I did catch on after a while and grew to enjoy the characters and the story, but found if I put it down for a few days, I had to relearn the characters relationships.
I will have to read this series from the beginning to truly understand everything within this saga.
Thanks to Beauty and Lace Book Club and Pan Macmillan Australia for a copy in return for an honest review.
January 6, 2020
The conclusion Woody Creek fans have always wanted after Tying of Threads summed up too little Dare I reveal this one actually has a semblance of a happy ending for feisty and aging Jenny, beloved character. The tension was wound tightly, and it was predominantly Jenny's story, with just enough Georgie and a splattering of Cara. but a lot of the chapters were all over the shop. Perhaps Joy couldn't decide whether to write for loyal readers of a new audience? part 3 was unnecessary. stop at p314
January 19, 2023
Edit: surprised at some of the not so good reviews and then realised that these are mostly from people who sadly didn’t realise this is part of a 7 part series. Somehow I don’t think its fair to rate a book when you’re coming in at the tale end of it?.
I personally think we could do with an 8th one? What a ‘Joy’ this complete series has been. A little repetitive in places, but sometimes I admit that I was grateful for the reminders.
Loved it.
I personally think we could do with an 8th one? What a ‘Joy’ this complete series has been. A little repetitive in places, but sometimes I admit that I was grateful for the reminders.
Loved it.
July 25, 2019
I thought this would drive me crazy trying to remember all the characters and where they fitted in , but the recapping of events and people was written in so that it carried the story along well.... I enjoyed revisiting Jenny and her stories, although I wasn’t quite struck on the ending ,😕 I felt it didn’t really complete the saga....I would love for this to be made into a mini series.
August 24, 2019
Loved it. Had me hooked all the way to the end. Then I was annoyed. Confused. Joy took her time writing the last novel. Now I'm not so sure it's the last. I hope it's not the last because the ending wasn't certain. Please, Joy, write another Woody Creek book. I've got to know if the secrets come out!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2019
Well very disappointed, 3/4 of the book or more was a rehash of all of the previous books and maybe 1/4 was new content. It's a shame as I loved this series (even when it was a bit too over the top with coincidences) and all of her other books. Please don't write another one, let Jenny go with some grace.
November 10, 2019
I love this series BUT I honestly don't think we needed this extra book. Was I happy with the way the 'final' book ended - not entirely but I feel this is just an additional extra used to give every character a resolution. It is still well written but I don't feel it brought anything extra to the story.
August 13, 2020
As it has been a while since I finished the first 6 books, I was glad that a lot of this book was going back over what had happened previously. I thought for sure that this book would end with Jen’s death but that doesn’t seem to be the case. I feel that there should now be a final book taking us up to then.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 27, 2025
DNF I was interested in the Jenny character but so much happened to so many people and the other characters were so awful that I couldn't stick at it. I read the end.
Edit. I've just read that it's a series (it doesn't say on the blurb) which explains why I didn't have as much information as I needed to provide an interest in t.
Edit. I've just read that it's a series (it doesn't say on the blurb) which explains why I didn't have as much information as I needed to provide an interest in t.
September 3, 2019
The final chapter in the Woody Creek series. I was a little disappointed in the way the book finished as there was no real closure. Maybe Joy Dettman has done that to leave room for a further book in the series.
January 27, 2020
The last book in the series, so says the author. Another goodun' and a rounding off of some of the complications in the characters' lives. But the ending....really?????? Surely we could have seen her safely home.
February 16, 2020
I didnt find this book interesting or enthralling. The mid chapters were the better of them all. If I hadn't read the whole series, i wouldn't have finished this one. The end was rushed and felt incomplete.
July 30, 2020
Disappointing.
I loved The Woody Creek series, but I felt this book was just a rehash of all the previous ones.
It has been a while since I read the original series, and it took quite some time and frustration recalling all of the original characters. Such a shame, as I live Ms Dettman’s books.
I loved The Woody Creek series, but I felt this book was just a rehash of all the previous ones.
It has been a while since I read the original series, and it took quite some time and frustration recalling all of the original characters. Such a shame, as I live Ms Dettman’s books.
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