What do you think?
Rate this book
Detective Dave Burrows
Suddenly One Summer
When Brianna Donahue was three years old, her mother mysteriously disappeared while farming in Merriwell Bay, Western Australia. Her body has never been found. Brianna works the same land with her father Russell, while almost single-handedly raising her two children as her husband Caleb works as a fly-in fly-out criminal lawyer in Perth. One scorching summer's morning, her son Trent goes missing and, while frantically searching for him, Brianna must come to terms with the fact that her marriage has large cracks in it. Over 2,000 kilometers away in South Australia, Detective Dave Burrows receives a phone call reporting stolen sheep from an elderly farmer. When he and his partner Jack arrive at the farm, it's clear that Guy has early signs of dementia. Following a conversation with his wife Kim, Dave becomes intrigued with Guy's family history. Was there a sister, or was there not? No one seems to know. So how will Dave's investigation impact Brianna's world? While battling the threat of bushfires back in Merriwell Bay, Brianna is faced with challenges that test her relationships with those she loves most. Suspenseful and incendiary, Suddenly One Summer is an intriguing and heartfelt story of the unlikely connections of life on the land.
368 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2020
71 people are currently reading
553 people want to read
About the author
Fleur McDonald
44 books532 followersAfter growing up on a farm near Orroroo in South Australia, Fleur McDonald’s first job was jillarooing in the outback. She has been involved in agriculture all her life, including helping manage a 8000-acre station for twenty years. Today Fleur and her energetic kelpie, Jack, live in Esperance, Western Australia,
Fleur is the author of 23 bestselling novels and two children's books.
Fleur chats about her daily writing life on her blog http://fleurmcdonald.com,
Facebook - Fleur McDonald Author
Instagram @fleurmcdonald
Tiktok @fleurmcdonaldauthor
Fleur is the author of 23 bestselling novels and two children's books.
Fleur chats about her daily writing life on her blog http://fleurmcdonald.com,
Facebook - Fleur McDonald Author
Instagram @fleurmcdonald
Tiktok @fleurmcdonaldauthor
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
October 30, 2017
The pre-dawn hours were already hot in the Merriwell Bay area of Western Australia when Brianna Donahue rose from her bed. The boys were still asleep – eight-year-old Trent and six-year-old Beau were called The Terrors for obvious reasons, so to have some quiet time was special, especially as it was Brianna’s birthday. Her husband Caleb had already left to head for Perth – he was a lawyer and only managed a couple of days home now and then. And he’d forgotten her birthday as well…
After checking the stock, Brianna was surprised to find Trent’s bed empty – Beau was up but there was no sign of her eldest. On checking the obvious places, Brianna went into panic mode – her father, Russell was on the adjoining farm and he immediately rallied the local farmers to start a search. The day was going to be a scorcher; with the threat of bushfires, the relentless heat and thunderstorms heading their way Trent needed to be found quickly.
Detective Dave Burrows was one of two policemen in charge of the small rural town of Barker in South Australia. Crime wasn’t heavy in the area, though farmers often had tools and other implements stolen, so when an elderly farmer, Guy Wood, called the station to report three hundred head of stock missing, Dave and Jack headed out there straight away. But Dave could see there was something not quite right at the old man’s property. His gut instinct told him there was a mystery to solve and he was going to give it his best shot.
Dave in South Australia; Brianna in Western Australia – they’d never met; didn’t know each other existed. So how were they connected? How would the course of the lives of two complete strangers intercept?
Suddenly One Summer is a fast-paced, intensely gripping romantic suspense novel by Aussie author Fleur McDonald which I flew through and absolutely loved! The tension in two different states, with two completely different situations was done extremely well. I have to say, I think Suddenly One Summer is this author’s best work to date! Highly recommended.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin for my ARC to read and review.
After checking the stock, Brianna was surprised to find Trent’s bed empty – Beau was up but there was no sign of her eldest. On checking the obvious places, Brianna went into panic mode – her father, Russell was on the adjoining farm and he immediately rallied the local farmers to start a search. The day was going to be a scorcher; with the threat of bushfires, the relentless heat and thunderstorms heading their way Trent needed to be found quickly.
Detective Dave Burrows was one of two policemen in charge of the small rural town of Barker in South Australia. Crime wasn’t heavy in the area, though farmers often had tools and other implements stolen, so when an elderly farmer, Guy Wood, called the station to report three hundred head of stock missing, Dave and Jack headed out there straight away. But Dave could see there was something not quite right at the old man’s property. His gut instinct told him there was a mystery to solve and he was going to give it his best shot.
Dave in South Australia; Brianna in Western Australia – they’d never met; didn’t know each other existed. So how were they connected? How would the course of the lives of two complete strangers intercept?
Suddenly One Summer is a fast-paced, intensely gripping romantic suspense novel by Aussie author Fleur McDonald which I flew through and absolutely loved! The tension in two different states, with two completely different situations was done extremely well. I have to say, I think Suddenly One Summer is this author’s best work to date! Highly recommended.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin for my ARC to read and review.
March 22, 2018
Three and a half stars.
When Brianna was three years old, her mother disappeared. Since then it has been her and her father on the land and Brianna’s two children. Her husband Caleb works in Perth as a criminal lawyer and spends a lot of time away from the farming community of Merriwell Bay in Western Australia. When their eldest son Trent, who is eight, goes missing Brianna begins to realise just what a serious state her marriage is in. What she is unsure about is how to fix it. Meanwhile in South Australia, Detective Dave Burrows receives a report from an elderly man about his stolen sheep. As Dave and his partner Jack investigate they find a man with signs of dementia but also a bigger mystery to solve other than just the missing sheep.
The setting in this story was well conveyed. I could almost smell the smoke when the bush fire rages and the dust at other times. Though I found the story interesting the amount of information about sheep and taking care of them on a property, while no doubt authentic, became the bits I tended to skim over. I’m just not that interested in sheep.
The characters were all well developed on the whole and I liked the interaction between Dave and his wife Kim. Brianna and her father Russell and Caleb were all well portrayed. My problem was Angie, Russell’s girlfriend. I just didn’t find her credible. But others may respond differently.
All in all, I enjoyed the novel but it is not my favourite by this author. Still it is very readable. The tension is palpable during Trent’s disappearance and the fire, but ramps up even more towards the end. Anyone who likes Aussie rural reads should enjoy this one.
When Brianna was three years old, her mother disappeared. Since then it has been her and her father on the land and Brianna’s two children. Her husband Caleb works in Perth as a criminal lawyer and spends a lot of time away from the farming community of Merriwell Bay in Western Australia. When their eldest son Trent, who is eight, goes missing Brianna begins to realise just what a serious state her marriage is in. What she is unsure about is how to fix it. Meanwhile in South Australia, Detective Dave Burrows receives a report from an elderly man about his stolen sheep. As Dave and his partner Jack investigate they find a man with signs of dementia but also a bigger mystery to solve other than just the missing sheep.
The setting in this story was well conveyed. I could almost smell the smoke when the bush fire rages and the dust at other times. Though I found the story interesting the amount of information about sheep and taking care of them on a property, while no doubt authentic, became the bits I tended to skim over. I’m just not that interested in sheep.
The characters were all well developed on the whole and I liked the interaction between Dave and his wife Kim. Brianna and her father Russell and Caleb were all well portrayed. My problem was Angie, Russell’s girlfriend. I just didn’t find her credible. But others may respond differently.
All in all, I enjoyed the novel but it is not my favourite by this author. Still it is very readable. The tension is palpable during Trent’s disappearance and the fire, but ramps up even more towards the end. Anyone who likes Aussie rural reads should enjoy this one.
December 15, 2017
Suddenly One Summer about the importance of love and family. The worst nightmare for any parent happened to Brianna Donahue when her son Trent went missing. This incident started events for Brianna Donahue that she never guess when she woke up on her birthday. While Brianna Donahue looking for her son Detective Dave Borrows was called out to Guy Wood property, who said he lost some sheep. Detective Dave Borrows did not realise that he would stumble on a mystery on Guy Wood Farm that would change peoples lives. The readers of Suddenly One Summer will continue to follow Detective Dave Borrows investigation. Also, the readers of Suddenly One Summer will see if Brianna Donahue finds her son.
I loved reading Suddenly One Summer. I read Fleur McDonald short story If You Were Here first and it helps me to understand the background of Suddenly One Summer. I enjoyed Fleur McDonald portrayal of her characters and intertwined them with each other. I do appreciate that Fleur McDonald included Detective Dave Borrows again as one of her main characters. For me, Detective Dave Borrows highlights the role that police have in rural communities and the way he looks after people around him. Fleur McDonald did a great job of keeping me engaged with the two plots that run throughout Suddenly One Summer and the way they combined at the end that was a complete surprise to me.
The readers of Suddenly One Summer will learn about the problems relationship have when one person lives in the city and other lives on a rural station. Also, how wrong it is to organise an unofficial adoption with telling the new parents that the child has health issues. Readers of Suddenly One Summer will be surprised with the conclusion of this book.
I recommend this book.
I loved reading Suddenly One Summer. I read Fleur McDonald short story If You Were Here first and it helps me to understand the background of Suddenly One Summer. I enjoyed Fleur McDonald portrayal of her characters and intertwined them with each other. I do appreciate that Fleur McDonald included Detective Dave Borrows again as one of her main characters. For me, Detective Dave Borrows highlights the role that police have in rural communities and the way he looks after people around him. Fleur McDonald did a great job of keeping me engaged with the two plots that run throughout Suddenly One Summer and the way they combined at the end that was a complete surprise to me.
The readers of Suddenly One Summer will learn about the problems relationship have when one person lives in the city and other lives on a rural station. Also, how wrong it is to organise an unofficial adoption with telling the new parents that the child has health issues. Readers of Suddenly One Summer will be surprised with the conclusion of this book.
I recommend this book.
October 28, 2018
This book was sent to me by the publisher for my honest review.
There is a reason why Fleur McDonald is the biggest name in Australian Rural Fiction. I have no idea how she comes up with her plots but they are amazing! For the life of me I was trying to figure out how Brianna’s story was related to Dave Burrows research and I thought I figured it out, but no Fleur doesn’t make it as simple as that. There was no way I could have picked the twist.
I loved both storylines equally. Brianna has some major dramas on the farm and in her love life. She is, at the crux of it, a strong female who is hard-working and determined, yet so loving. What more could you ask for in a protagonist?!
Dave the detective! Now I wasn’t sure that I would get into his story as much as Briannas’ but in the end I think I like Dave more! Watching (or reading rather) the mystery unfold to me was the highlight of the book. I love a good mystery. I can’t wait to read Fools Gold next year which follows Dave Burrows on another detective adventure.
Brilliance from Fleur McDonald again, but really what else would you expect.
There is a reason why Fleur McDonald is the biggest name in Australian Rural Fiction. I have no idea how she comes up with her plots but they are amazing! For the life of me I was trying to figure out how Brianna’s story was related to Dave Burrows research and I thought I figured it out, but no Fleur doesn’t make it as simple as that. There was no way I could have picked the twist.
I loved both storylines equally. Brianna has some major dramas on the farm and in her love life. She is, at the crux of it, a strong female who is hard-working and determined, yet so loving. What more could you ask for in a protagonist?!
Dave the detective! Now I wasn’t sure that I would get into his story as much as Briannas’ but in the end I think I like Dave more! Watching (or reading rather) the mystery unfold to me was the highlight of the book. I love a good mystery. I can’t wait to read Fools Gold next year which follows Dave Burrows on another detective adventure.
Brilliance from Fleur McDonald again, but really what else would you expect.
October 30, 2017
Suddenly One Summer is the first book I’ve read by Fleur McDonald, and it was a page turner.
Despite being promoted as a rural romance, it was light on the romance and full of mystery and intrigue. Brianna’s lived on a farm in Western Australia her whole life, raised by her father after her mother disappeared when she was three. Years later, on her birthday, Brianna’s oldest son goes missing and during the search comes to the realisation that her marriage to her husband, Caleb, is fraying around the edges.
Meanwhile, in South Australia, Detective Burrows is called out to the property of an elderly farmer whom he begins to suspect has dementia. Becoming intrigued by Guy’s history, Burrows begin to investigate the possibility of a family member gone missing. Both storylines converge in a great twist that I didn’t see coming.
I really enjoyed Suddenly One Summer; all of the characters felt real - like people you might know. While I don’t live in rural Australia, I have family who do, and I think that’s why I’m beginning to appreciate these books more as I get older - I can see the connections between the little that I do know about farming life and it makes the reading experience all the more vivid.
I was guessing the whole way through; the twist at the end took my by surprise, and also made a lot of sense and thinking back on my reading experience as a whole, I could piece together all of the clues along the way to their natural conclusion.
This would be a great, Summertime read.
Despite being promoted as a rural romance, it was light on the romance and full of mystery and intrigue. Brianna’s lived on a farm in Western Australia her whole life, raised by her father after her mother disappeared when she was three. Years later, on her birthday, Brianna’s oldest son goes missing and during the search comes to the realisation that her marriage to her husband, Caleb, is fraying around the edges.
Meanwhile, in South Australia, Detective Burrows is called out to the property of an elderly farmer whom he begins to suspect has dementia. Becoming intrigued by Guy’s history, Burrows begin to investigate the possibility of a family member gone missing. Both storylines converge in a great twist that I didn’t see coming.
I really enjoyed Suddenly One Summer; all of the characters felt real - like people you might know. While I don’t live in rural Australia, I have family who do, and I think that’s why I’m beginning to appreciate these books more as I get older - I can see the connections between the little that I do know about farming life and it makes the reading experience all the more vivid.
I was guessing the whole way through; the twist at the end took my by surprise, and also made a lot of sense and thinking back on my reading experience as a whole, I could piece together all of the clues along the way to their natural conclusion.
This would be a great, Summertime read.
November 3, 2017
Love love love Fleur McDonald! This book did not disappoint and I love that Detective Dave Burrows has his own book now. I had no idea how the two story lines would connect until the very last minute. Brilliant writing once again by Fleur.
January 18, 2023
This is the first book I have read by this author and hopefully it won't be the last. Kept me captivated from start to finish.
October 30, 2017
Suddenly One Summer by Fleur McDonald is an enthralling read with surprising twists and merging stories. A read that portrays sadness, shock and happiness. Bri's character strength was a stand out. Suddenly One Summer is a novel that I could not put down and a must for my fave reads list.
Review copy received from Allen & Unwin Australia
Review copy received from Allen & Unwin Australia
January 23, 2018
Suddenly One Summer is the latest novel from Australian rural author Fleur McDonald. Part mystery, part thriller, part romance this book has something for everyone. Set in Merriwell Western Australia, it is told in the third person, the storyline alternating between Brianna Donohue, Dave Burrows and a mysterious third person. Through these three characters Fleur explores marriage, farming life and caring for the elderly.
Brianna is the down to earth and hard-working mother of two young children, otherwise known as The Terrors. She lives on a farm, running it with her father while her husband Caleb is a lawyer in Perth. I greatly admired Brianna for working on a farm because Fleur painted a realistic image of rural life as she herself is a farm girl. Especially the difficulties faced in the summer time. It reinforced for me that being a farmer is a lifestyle choice that comes before everything. The dedication and commitment it requires from sun up to sundown is certainly not for everybody, including myself. I could comprehend how farming is a 24/7 job that is never ending and doesn’t allow for holidays.
With the demands of country life, it is no surprise that Brianna’s and Caleb’s marriage is crumbling. They lead such separate lives with Caleb being a city slicker. Facebook is no help in this situation when Brianna is shown a photo of another woman at a work event either. I can’t imagine how difficult this would be to deal with be as the physical and emotional distance between them is so great. As a couple, they are lucky to have survived this long. If it wasn’t for one of The Terrors going missing, I think their marriage would have gone downhill until it was too late because they both have their head in the sand.
Dave is the second character that Fleur alternates between. A caring, intuitive detective he comes across the elderly Dave when he puts in a complaint that his sheep are missing. Fleur shines a light on the difficulties of living alone when a person has alzheimers. It really made me think that as a community much more needs to be done to help people in this situation as Dave did. From his initial investigation into Guy, Dave discovers that he opens a can of worms into Dave’s background. Who are his family and what has happened to them?
As for the third and final mysterious third character, Fleur had me guessing until almost the very end. Which is always a good thing!
So if you’re a fan of rural novels, put up your feet and devour Suddenly One Summer this summer!
Brianna is the down to earth and hard-working mother of two young children, otherwise known as The Terrors. She lives on a farm, running it with her father while her husband Caleb is a lawyer in Perth. I greatly admired Brianna for working on a farm because Fleur painted a realistic image of rural life as she herself is a farm girl. Especially the difficulties faced in the summer time. It reinforced for me that being a farmer is a lifestyle choice that comes before everything. The dedication and commitment it requires from sun up to sundown is certainly not for everybody, including myself. I could comprehend how farming is a 24/7 job that is never ending and doesn’t allow for holidays.
With the demands of country life, it is no surprise that Brianna’s and Caleb’s marriage is crumbling. They lead such separate lives with Caleb being a city slicker. Facebook is no help in this situation when Brianna is shown a photo of another woman at a work event either. I can’t imagine how difficult this would be to deal with be as the physical and emotional distance between them is so great. As a couple, they are lucky to have survived this long. If it wasn’t for one of The Terrors going missing, I think their marriage would have gone downhill until it was too late because they both have their head in the sand.
Dave is the second character that Fleur alternates between. A caring, intuitive detective he comes across the elderly Dave when he puts in a complaint that his sheep are missing. Fleur shines a light on the difficulties of living alone when a person has alzheimers. It really made me think that as a community much more needs to be done to help people in this situation as Dave did. From his initial investigation into Guy, Dave discovers that he opens a can of worms into Dave’s background. Who are his family and what has happened to them?
As for the third and final mysterious third character, Fleur had me guessing until almost the very end. Which is always a good thing!
So if you’re a fan of rural novels, put up your feet and devour Suddenly One Summer this summer!
November 10, 2017
Loved it.
June 7, 2020
A great Australian thriller/mystery. Did not see the twist coming. I look forward to reading more from the Detective Dave Burrows series.
December 17, 2017
The start of an early summer heat wave was the perfect time to read Fleur McDonald’s Suddenly One Summer – can’t you just feel the sizzling temperature portrayed on the cover? I felt like reading something close to home and this story of family and mystery in country Australia was just the ticket. It’s an easy read, great for lazy days when all you are capable of is lying under the air conditioning. What made Suddenly One Summer stand out from the pack is the wonderful combination of rural life with a mystery that seemingly has no connection to the characters.
It’s the middle of summer in rural Western Australia when we meet Brianna Donahue, a farmer and mother. She’s got it tough – her husband is a fly in, fly out lawyer in the city and she’s looking after her sons alone most of the time. There’s the possibility that fire could strike any moment…and now one of her sons is missing. It leaves Brianna almost at breaking point, but she’s got to keep going for herself, her farm and her family. Meanwhile, thousands of kilometres away in country South Australia, a farmer has reported missing sheep. When detective Dave Burrows investigates, it seems to be more than that with the old man talking about a woman in the shed and wool missing. But the family is much more mysterious than that – how could a young girl be forgotten in a country town? What does this have to do with Brianna?
The great thing about Suddenly One Summer is that it’s pretty much impossible to predict the twist until it’s staring the reader in the face. The two narratives are immensely enjoyable with a number of different issues facing both Dave and Brianna. There definitely wasn’t the sense of frustration that I sometimes get when reading dual narratives of preferring one to the other. I enjoyed reading about Dave and partner Kim’s life in a country town just as much as I did about Brianna’s life between family and farm. Both main characters were strong and fascinating – Dave with his powers of deduction and Brianna’s fierce determination to do the best for her children and her property. I must admit that I’d like to know more about Kim – she sounds very wise, plus she is an excellent baker!
As the two stories come closer together, the narrative picks up to a frantic pace, almost like a wildfire. I defy anyone not to keep reading until the very end! As I’ve mentioned, the twist is clever and the growing sense of unease as events of the novel begin to make more sense if palpable. While Fleur McDonald has a wonderful way with telling rural stories in a special way, it was the mystery that made this a stellar read in my eyes. I felt that it showed off her skills as a writer even more, luring the reader into a sense of safety and then hitting us with some truths that made events even more shocking! A great summer read that won’t disappoint.
Thanks to Allen & Unwin for the copy. My review is honest.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
It’s the middle of summer in rural Western Australia when we meet Brianna Donahue, a farmer and mother. She’s got it tough – her husband is a fly in, fly out lawyer in the city and she’s looking after her sons alone most of the time. There’s the possibility that fire could strike any moment…and now one of her sons is missing. It leaves Brianna almost at breaking point, but she’s got to keep going for herself, her farm and her family. Meanwhile, thousands of kilometres away in country South Australia, a farmer has reported missing sheep. When detective Dave Burrows investigates, it seems to be more than that with the old man talking about a woman in the shed and wool missing. But the family is much more mysterious than that – how could a young girl be forgotten in a country town? What does this have to do with Brianna?
The great thing about Suddenly One Summer is that it’s pretty much impossible to predict the twist until it’s staring the reader in the face. The two narratives are immensely enjoyable with a number of different issues facing both Dave and Brianna. There definitely wasn’t the sense of frustration that I sometimes get when reading dual narratives of preferring one to the other. I enjoyed reading about Dave and partner Kim’s life in a country town just as much as I did about Brianna’s life between family and farm. Both main characters were strong and fascinating – Dave with his powers of deduction and Brianna’s fierce determination to do the best for her children and her property. I must admit that I’d like to know more about Kim – she sounds very wise, plus she is an excellent baker!
As the two stories come closer together, the narrative picks up to a frantic pace, almost like a wildfire. I defy anyone not to keep reading until the very end! As I’ve mentioned, the twist is clever and the growing sense of unease as events of the novel begin to make more sense if palpable. While Fleur McDonald has a wonderful way with telling rural stories in a special way, it was the mystery that made this a stellar read in my eyes. I felt that it showed off her skills as a writer even more, luring the reader into a sense of safety and then hitting us with some truths that made events even more shocking! A great summer read that won’t disappoint.
Thanks to Allen & Unwin for the copy. My review is honest.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
April 9, 2018
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not influence my rating or my review in any way.
Suddenly one Summer follows two groups of characters, Brianna and her family on their farm in Western Australia, and a detective in South Australia. The entire time there is something linking these two groups, but it is not until the last few chapters that things begin to fall into place and it all makes sense.
I really enjoyed reading this book. The fact that is by an Australian author and based in country Western Australia (where I am from) as well as South Australia, makes it easier to relate to the characters.
This book was very cleverly written, and I enjoyed each separate story and was kept interested in finding out how they connected, throughout the entire book.
The writing style of this book is fantastic. I found it really easy to follow and it didn't get slow or boring at any point. I didn't find myself wishing for the point to be made, it just went at a good pace the entire time.
The way in which the stories intertwined towards the end of the book I thought was really well done. I didn't see the connection coming until it was right there happening, which was great. I hate predicting the ending and then being a bit bored with the outcome - this was not the case for Suddenly one Summer!
I haven't read any others by Fleur McDonald, but I will be picking up more when I find them that is for sure!
I would like to say thank you to Allen and Unwin Publishers for sending me a copy of this book, I really loved it!
Thank you for stopping by to read this review, make sure you are following to keep updated on other book reviews that I post!
Until next time, happy reading!
Originally posted on my blog at: https://kimrann.wixsite.com/thebookes...
Suddenly one Summer follows two groups of characters, Brianna and her family on their farm in Western Australia, and a detective in South Australia. The entire time there is something linking these two groups, but it is not until the last few chapters that things begin to fall into place and it all makes sense.
I really enjoyed reading this book. The fact that is by an Australian author and based in country Western Australia (where I am from) as well as South Australia, makes it easier to relate to the characters.
This book was very cleverly written, and I enjoyed each separate story and was kept interested in finding out how they connected, throughout the entire book.
The writing style of this book is fantastic. I found it really easy to follow and it didn't get slow or boring at any point. I didn't find myself wishing for the point to be made, it just went at a good pace the entire time.
The way in which the stories intertwined towards the end of the book I thought was really well done. I didn't see the connection coming until it was right there happening, which was great. I hate predicting the ending and then being a bit bored with the outcome - this was not the case for Suddenly one Summer!
I haven't read any others by Fleur McDonald, but I will be picking up more when I find them that is for sure!
I would like to say thank you to Allen and Unwin Publishers for sending me a copy of this book, I really loved it!
Thank you for stopping by to read this review, make sure you are following to keep updated on other book reviews that I post!
Until next time, happy reading!
Originally posted on my blog at: https://kimrann.wixsite.com/thebookes...
December 11, 2017
Thanks for the opportunity to read Suddenly One Summer by Fleur McDonald.
This is a great book f anyone wanting an engrossing read over Christmas - or anytime of the year for that matter!
The seemingly unrelated stories of Brianna and her family in Western Australia and Detective Burrows in country South Australia are both interesting and intriguing in their own rights.
Fleur McDonald paints a vibrant picture of the trials of country life for our farmers and the work of the police in country towns. Added to this is the tension in Brianna's marriage and the realisation that things are quite what they seem.
The characters are well written and totally - undeniably - believable. The twists of the plot make this a page turner that will keep you guessing to the end.
Do yourself a favour - read Suddenly One Summer!
This is a great book f anyone wanting an engrossing read over Christmas - or anytime of the year for that matter!
The seemingly unrelated stories of Brianna and her family in Western Australia and Detective Burrows in country South Australia are both interesting and intriguing in their own rights.
Fleur McDonald paints a vibrant picture of the trials of country life for our farmers and the work of the police in country towns. Added to this is the tension in Brianna's marriage and the realisation that things are quite what they seem.
The characters are well written and totally - undeniably - believable. The twists of the plot make this a page turner that will keep you guessing to the end.
Do yourself a favour - read Suddenly One Summer!
February 12, 2018
This book gripped me from the first page. Usually I can very quickly predict how books will end, this one, however, kept me guessing until the very end. Just when I thought I'd figured it out it twisted again.
This is the first book from this author that I have read and I have to say that Fleur is a wonderful, very talented, storyteller. The descriptions made me feel like I was there and yet didn't overwhelm the story, the characters were authentic, although I must admit I did wonder about the maturity and freedoms given to the Terrors - although that could just be me as a city slicker.
Overall a fantastic book that I'd highly recommend and I can't thank Beauty and Lace Book Club and Allen & Unwin enough for choosing me to receive a free copy to read and review. Fleur McDonald will definitely be added to my favourite authors list and I can't wait to read more of her books.
This is the first book from this author that I have read and I have to say that Fleur is a wonderful, very talented, storyteller. The descriptions made me feel like I was there and yet didn't overwhelm the story, the characters were authentic, although I must admit I did wonder about the maturity and freedoms given to the Terrors - although that could just be me as a city slicker.
Overall a fantastic book that I'd highly recommend and I can't thank Beauty and Lace Book Club and Allen & Unwin enough for choosing me to receive a free copy to read and review. Fleur McDonald will definitely be added to my favourite authors list and I can't wait to read more of her books.
November 16, 2017
Fleur McDonald has a way of making all her people come alive. I grew up in inland Queensland, however, I have met a number of blokes just like Guy Wood and women like Brianna. When I left the farm to do a trade 50 years ago the world was tough for farmers and nothing has changed. I started the book 20 pages each smoko then after a few days could not put it down and read the last 300 pages in one sitting. Now I need to get hold of the rest of Fleur's books.
March 30, 2018
This is my favourite Fleur McDonald book I've read so far. It's a great rural mystery with interesting characters and an intriguing plotline with an ending I couldn't predict. McDonald really brings the country to life with her writing making it so easy to visualise the environment as well as the harsh reality of rural life in Australia. A brilliant read.
January 13, 2019
Once again I enjoy the appearance of Detective Dave Burrows as the problem solver in this book. Once he gets a sniff of a story he doesn't give up until he gets some answers. The other characters in the story were also very interesting and added to a storyline that had many links to the past and the present. Well worth the read as always with Fleur McDonald titles
April 22, 2019
An excellent read that kept me on the edge of my seat. Unlike some authors who get caught in a story pattern that repeats itself, Fluer manages to keep each of her stories fresh with an edge that intrigues the reader
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 15, 2019
Loved this story line..couldn’t stop reading it...
June 11, 2019
Another great read from Fleur. Loved the twist at the end. Thought I had it figured out, but nope! Good one.
October 10, 2019
Really enjoyed this book loved the characters and couldn't put it down towards the end.
January 13, 2022
Brianna Donahue lives in Meriwell Bay, Western Australia. Her husband, Caleb is a fly-in-fly out lawyer, whilst Brianna stays on their farm with the 'Terrors'- aka their sons, Trent and Beau. But it's tough on their marriage, and cracks are starting to appear.
When Brianna was three, her mother Josie went missing. So, when Brianna wakes up one hot summers day to find that Trent is missing, it brings back bad memories, not only for her, but also her father Russell. Father and daughter are very close, even co-owning a farm. Not even the meddling Angie, Russell's girlfriend could ruin their relationship.
Whilst everyone searches for Trent, Detective Dave Burrows and his partner Jack Higgins make a call out to the elderly Guy Wood. When they arrive, it's evident that Guy is struggling mentally and physically. It's also clear that Guy is possibly confused about the crimes that may or may not have occurred against him. Guy is even convinced that a woman is hiding out in his shed- however, evidence suggests that she could be a figment of his fragile mind.
Dave being Dave, with his big heart is concerned about Guy, being all alone with no family. Becoming intrigued, he soon learns that there could have been a secret sister born in the '50s. If so, why was it that she was never seen, and whatever happened to her?
I normally can guess the connection with the multiple ongoing plots with Fleur's stories involving Detective Dave. This time, I am completely shocked. I KNEW that there was something odd about one particular character! Even what seems like a minor plot is part of the bigger picture of this mystery!
With this, I've finally caught up with the more recent stories featuring Detective Dave! I can't wait to read some earlier releases, and new ones in the future!
🌟🌟🌟🌟✨/5
When Brianna was three, her mother Josie went missing. So, when Brianna wakes up one hot summers day to find that Trent is missing, it brings back bad memories, not only for her, but also her father Russell. Father and daughter are very close, even co-owning a farm. Not even the meddling Angie, Russell's girlfriend could ruin their relationship.
Whilst everyone searches for Trent, Detective Dave Burrows and his partner Jack Higgins make a call out to the elderly Guy Wood. When they arrive, it's evident that Guy is struggling mentally and physically. It's also clear that Guy is possibly confused about the crimes that may or may not have occurred against him. Guy is even convinced that a woman is hiding out in his shed- however, evidence suggests that she could be a figment of his fragile mind.
Dave being Dave, with his big heart is concerned about Guy, being all alone with no family. Becoming intrigued, he soon learns that there could have been a secret sister born in the '50s. If so, why was it that she was never seen, and whatever happened to her?
I normally can guess the connection with the multiple ongoing plots with Fleur's stories involving Detective Dave. This time, I am completely shocked. I KNEW that there was something odd about one particular character! Even what seems like a minor plot is part of the bigger picture of this mystery!
With this, I've finally caught up with the more recent stories featuring Detective Dave! I can't wait to read some earlier releases, and new ones in the future!
🌟🌟🌟🌟✨/5
March 16, 2025
4.5 stars.
When Brianna Donahue was three years old, her mother mysteriously disappeared while farming in Merriwell Bay, Western Australia. She works the same land with her father Russell, while her husband Caleb works as a fly-in fly-out criminal lawyer in Perth. Over two thousand kilometres away in South Australia, Detective Dave Burrows deals with a stolen sheep reported by Guy who has early signs of dementia.
While still being part of the long-running Dave Burrows series, this felt like a new era with the different title naming pattern and a somewhat increased maturity in Fleur’s plotting, pacing and writing overall.
I was fully captivated by the three parallel storylines which ended up merging into one. I was very intrigued at how they would connect, and I wasn’t disappointed.
This had the perfect balance of drama, mystery and suspense. Of course all the farming operations and financial details were elaborated nicely. I felt like Fleur’s books should be used as university supplementary reading materials for farming degrees 😄.
This was my new favourite in the series. Looking forward to reading the next one soon!
See my bookstagram review.
When Brianna Donahue was three years old, her mother mysteriously disappeared while farming in Merriwell Bay, Western Australia. She works the same land with her father Russell, while her husband Caleb works as a fly-in fly-out criminal lawyer in Perth. Over two thousand kilometres away in South Australia, Detective Dave Burrows deals with a stolen sheep reported by Guy who has early signs of dementia.
While still being part of the long-running Dave Burrows series, this felt like a new era with the different title naming pattern and a somewhat increased maturity in Fleur’s plotting, pacing and writing overall.
I was fully captivated by the three parallel storylines which ended up merging into one. I was very intrigued at how they would connect, and I wasn’t disappointed.
This had the perfect balance of drama, mystery and suspense. Of course all the farming operations and financial details were elaborated nicely. I felt like Fleur’s books should be used as university supplementary reading materials for farming degrees 😄.
This was my new favourite in the series. Looking forward to reading the next one soon!
See my bookstagram review.
March 31, 2019
3.5 stars. I enjoyed the book and the way two stories ran parallel to each but actually were related.
The mystery in the missing person and the character without a memory were intriguing and certainly kept it interesting.
I was going to give 4 stars but dropped it down due to the ending which I found a bit too convenient.
How does a detectives wife solve a 20 year mystery by searching on the internet?? Missing persons report storyline didn’t quite add up either. A lady with no memory but there’s no missing persons report on her??? We actually know from the previous chapters that there was so that didn’t make sense to me.
Still a good book and recommended as these couple of points don’t become really apparent until right at the end.
The mystery in the missing person and the character without a memory were intriguing and certainly kept it interesting.
I was going to give 4 stars but dropped it down due to the ending which I found a bit too convenient.
How does a detectives wife solve a 20 year mystery by searching on the internet?? Missing persons report storyline didn’t quite add up either. A lady with no memory but there’s no missing persons report on her??? We actually know from the previous chapters that there was so that didn’t make sense to me.
Still a good book and recommended as these couple of points don’t become really apparent until right at the end.
February 27, 2025
This is the second book written by Fleur McDonald. The other being Broad River Station. Both books featured Detective Dave Burrows, but not as the main character. I found that the beginning of the story quite slow and the connection between the two narratives - the case that Dave Burrows is investigating, and the storyline of Brianna does not become apparent to the very end.
McDonald does seem to know that inner workings of a small town, life on the farm and being a country volunteer fire-fighter quite well - from lived experience, I would assume.
Readers who enjoy rural fiction stories would probably quite enjoy it.
McDonald does seem to know that inner workings of a small town, life on the farm and being a country volunteer fire-fighter quite well - from lived experience, I would assume.
Readers who enjoy rural fiction stories would probably quite enjoy it.
Want to read
December 29, 2017My husband has has read this book and this is his review - "Fleur McDonald has a way of making all her people come alive. I grew up in inland Queensland, however, I have met a number of blokes just like Guy Wood and women like Brianna. When I left the farm to do a trade 50 years ago the world was tough for farmers and nothing has changed. I started the book 20 pages each smoko then after a few days could not put it down and read the last 300 pages in one sitting. Now I need to get hold of the rest of Fleur's books."
December 8, 2017
Thankyou Beauty and Lace and Allen & Unwin for the opportunity to read Suddenly One Summer by Fleur McDonald. I think this was my favourite book of the year definitely worth ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
Following the story of Brianna, her two boys, very absent husband, her father Russell and her fathers partner Angela made up one part of this story. This other part consisted of the queries of two country police in SA.
The way these two stories and the mystery of two missing people collide makes this book so hard to put down. Waiting for Fleur McDonalds next book with anticipation.
Following the story of Brianna, her two boys, very absent husband, her father Russell and her fathers partner Angela made up one part of this story. This other part consisted of the queries of two country police in SA.
The way these two stories and the mystery of two missing people collide makes this book so hard to put down. Waiting for Fleur McDonalds next book with anticipation.
November 18, 2017
Fleur McDonald is established in her genre now, and it shows. Stories about life on the land just get better, as for so many of us in urban reality, it's an escape. It's not an easy escape, clearly, but an alluring dream, nonetheless. The touch of fly in fly out from Perth gave it a satisfying contemporary touch. Endearing central characters.... except.... well up to you to read it now...
Glad I had the privilege.
Glad I had the privilege.
March 6, 2018
This is my third Fleur McDonald novel. It is fantastic drama in country WA and SA. I am a city dweller in Perth who first found her novels in the Fremantle City Library and then at the Perth Writers Festival. I loved discovering the meaning of the words and visualising the descriptions she uses to make the setting so real. And the drama and surprises build page after page right to the end. It was a book I loved reading and appreciating the characters ranging in age from 6 to 90.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews