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The Road to Ironbark
A daring hold-up. Passion. Revenge. A mystery that will echo through the centuries. A compelling romantic adventure, perfect for readers who love Darry Fraser.
1874, The Victorian Goldfields
In the town of Ironbark, Aurora Scott faces ruin as the railways supplant the Cobb & Co coach line, the lifeline of her hotel. Aurora is no stranger to adversity; the formidable publican has pulled herself from a murky past to build a respectable life in Ironbark. But when bushrangers storm the hotel, taking hostages as leverage for the Starburst Mine's payroll, Aurora has more trouble on her hands than she can handle.
This is no random act, but a complex scheme of revenge. The gang turn on each other. Shots ring out. And when the dust settles, the money has vanished, and so has Aurora Scott...
After 150 years, the mystery of the missing payroll has passed into folklore. And when journalist Melody Lawson helps her brother prepare for the town's annual Gold Hunt Weekend, she is just as drawn into the past as the tourists. But with a surprise inheritance her own family history becomes a puzzle, bound up with the fabled payroll - and as Melody follows the clues, danger mounts...
PRAISE FOR KAYE DOBBIE:
'A wonderfully immersive read' The Daily Telegraph
'Kaye Dobbie has written a spellbinding tale of intrigue and mystery in ... which she deftly weaves two very different time periods into one unforgettable story.' - Beauty and Lace
1874, The Victorian Goldfields
In the town of Ironbark, Aurora Scott faces ruin as the railways supplant the Cobb & Co coach line, the lifeline of her hotel. Aurora is no stranger to adversity; the formidable publican has pulled herself from a murky past to build a respectable life in Ironbark. But when bushrangers storm the hotel, taking hostages as leverage for the Starburst Mine's payroll, Aurora has more trouble on her hands than she can handle.
This is no random act, but a complex scheme of revenge. The gang turn on each other. Shots ring out. And when the dust settles, the money has vanished, and so has Aurora Scott...
After 150 years, the mystery of the missing payroll has passed into folklore. And when journalist Melody Lawson helps her brother prepare for the town's annual Gold Hunt Weekend, she is just as drawn into the past as the tourists. But with a surprise inheritance her own family history becomes a puzzle, bound up with the fabled payroll - and as Melody follows the clues, danger mounts...
PRAISE FOR KAYE DOBBIE:
'A wonderfully immersive read' The Daily Telegraph
'Kaye Dobbie has written a spellbinding tale of intrigue and mystery in ... which she deftly weaves two very different time periods into one unforgettable story.' - Beauty and Lace
- GenresHistorical Fiction
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2020
7 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Kaye Dobbie
29 books54 followersKaye Dobbie lives in an old house in the old gold rush town Bendigo, in the state of Victoria, Australia. She has been writing professionally ever since she won the Big River short story contest at the age of eighteen. Her career has undergone many changes, including writing Australian historical fiction under the name Lilly Sommers, to romance written as Sara Bennett/Sara Mackenzie and published by Avon in the USA. Her books have been translated into many languages. She is currently writing under her 'proper' name, Kaye Dobbie, and is published by Harlequin Mira in Australia and Weltbild in Germany. Kaye lives on the central Victorian goldfields, where she creates her stories and in her spare time researches her family tree.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
August 5, 2020
Ironbark, Victoria in 1874 when the Cobb & Co coach line was being overtaken by the new railroad; owner of the Ironbark hotel, Aurora Scott was expecting a letter when the coach arrived to say it was their last journey to the hotel. The few passengers were to be fed and rested for a couple of hours before it headed away again. But one of the passengers was very pregnant and exhausted from the journey. Aurora took Ally to one of the bedrooms upstairs to rest, while below, immediate chaos reigned. Bushrangers had invaded the hotel and wanted the nearby Starburst Mine’s payroll which was known to be on board…
One hundred and fifty years later and Melody Lawson was living in Melbourne when she received the shocking phone call that her mother had been in an accident. Melody’s return to her old home of Ironbark for her mother’s funeral coincided with the celebrations of that long ago hold-up – the Gold Hunt weekend – which her brother Christopher and his wife, and Melody’s best friend, Freida helped coordinate every year. Set to play the role of Aurora Scott, Melody became engrossed in the history of the past and the mystery of Aurora’s disappearance all those years ago. But was it possible that Melody’s interest would put her in danger?
The Road to Ironbark by Aussie author Kaye Dobbie was brilliant! Both the past with the strong and resilient Aurora and the present day with Melody, another independent young woman ran parallel to each other, perfectly blended. I found the fast pacing, especially of Ironbark in 1874, to be particularly riveting with the bushrangers, payroll, desperate men and determined women all playing an important part in the rich history of Australia's goldrush days. An exceptional read, The Road to Ironbark is highly recommended, while Ms Dobbie is now cemented on my favourites list.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
One hundred and fifty years later and Melody Lawson was living in Melbourne when she received the shocking phone call that her mother had been in an accident. Melody’s return to her old home of Ironbark for her mother’s funeral coincided with the celebrations of that long ago hold-up – the Gold Hunt weekend – which her brother Christopher and his wife, and Melody’s best friend, Freida helped coordinate every year. Set to play the role of Aurora Scott, Melody became engrossed in the history of the past and the mystery of Aurora’s disappearance all those years ago. But was it possible that Melody’s interest would put her in danger?
The Road to Ironbark by Aussie author Kaye Dobbie was brilliant! Both the past with the strong and resilient Aurora and the present day with Melody, another independent young woman ran parallel to each other, perfectly blended. I found the fast pacing, especially of Ironbark in 1874, to be particularly riveting with the bushrangers, payroll, desperate men and determined women all playing an important part in the rich history of Australia's goldrush days. An exceptional read, The Road to Ironbark is highly recommended, while Ms Dobbie is now cemented on my favourites list.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
October 30, 2020
*www.onewomansbbr.wordpress.com
The Road to Ironbark by Kaye Dobbie. (2020).
**Thank you to Harlequin Australia for sending me a free copy of this novel; published 5 August 2020**
1874, the Victorian Goldfields: in the town of Ironbark, Aurora (who pulled herself from a murky past to build a respectable life) faces ruin because of the new railway line. But when bushrangers storm the hotel, taking hostages as leverage for the Starburst Mine's payroll, Aurora has more trouble on her hands then she can handle. This is no random act, but a complex scheme of revenge. When the dust settles, the money and Aurora have vanished...
After 150 years, the mystery of the missing payroll remains. When journalist Melody returns to town, she is just as drawn to the mystery as the tourists. But with a surprise inheritance, her own family history becomes a puzzle, as well as somehow being connected to the missing payroll...
Kaye Dobbie is a well established author who has written under a few different names but this is the first of any of her works I've read. Happy to report that I quite enjoyed it. I find myself reading more and more of Australian historical fiction novels and finding how, like with this novel, they can be so engaging. The storyline toggles between Melody in the current timeline and Aurora in the past. While I preferred the action, suspense and fast-pacing of Aurora's chapters, Melody's parts also had a fair amount of drama to keep the reader wanting to know exactly what was going on. Alongside all of the drama there are light romance relationships developing for both Aurora and Melody which was a good touch in my opinion. I have no doubt that those who enjoy Australian historical fiction will find this story to be a real treat.
The Road to Ironbark by Kaye Dobbie. (2020).
**Thank you to Harlequin Australia for sending me a free copy of this novel; published 5 August 2020**
1874, the Victorian Goldfields: in the town of Ironbark, Aurora (who pulled herself from a murky past to build a respectable life) faces ruin because of the new railway line. But when bushrangers storm the hotel, taking hostages as leverage for the Starburst Mine's payroll, Aurora has more trouble on her hands then she can handle. This is no random act, but a complex scheme of revenge. When the dust settles, the money and Aurora have vanished...
After 150 years, the mystery of the missing payroll remains. When journalist Melody returns to town, she is just as drawn to the mystery as the tourists. But with a surprise inheritance, her own family history becomes a puzzle, as well as somehow being connected to the missing payroll...
Kaye Dobbie is a well established author who has written under a few different names but this is the first of any of her works I've read. Happy to report that I quite enjoyed it. I find myself reading more and more of Australian historical fiction novels and finding how, like with this novel, they can be so engaging. The storyline toggles between Melody in the current timeline and Aurora in the past. While I preferred the action, suspense and fast-pacing of Aurora's chapters, Melody's parts also had a fair amount of drama to keep the reader wanting to know exactly what was going on. Alongside all of the drama there are light romance relationships developing for both Aurora and Melody which was a good touch in my opinion. I have no doubt that those who enjoy Australian historical fiction will find this story to be a real treat.
December 3, 2020
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
A daring siege, vehemence, retribution and a puzzling secret hidden for over a century marks The Road to Ironbark by Kaye Dobbie. Written in the form of a compelling parallel timeline that crosses events in a Victorian goldfields town in nineteenth century to modern day times in the same locale, Kaye Dobbie’s latest presentation is not to be missed.
Beginning in 1874 in the Victorian town of Ironbark and moving to 2017 in the same Goldfields location, The Road to Ironbark regales two equally intriguing tales. In the 1874 thread we meet Aurora Scott, a woman who faces swift ruin, as her hotel is decimated by the railway system. Aurora refuses to give up or give in, she is a true force to be reckoned with. Armed with plenty of determination and a strong fighting spirit, this publican toils on. However, when a gang of bushrangers take over Aurora’s establishment, taking hostages with them while making some hefty demands, Aurora knows she is faced with the impossible. When the hostage situation comes to a head, Aurora vanishes, along with the money from the bushrangers. Over a century later, the long standing mystery of the whereabouts of the money from this event still remains uncertain. With plenty of stories and conjecture passed around about the missing payroll, it is no surprise that a journalist in present day feels she must investigate the folklore surrounding this age old mystery. Melody Lawson is a journalist determined to get to the bottom of the truth surrounding the mysterious payroll. What follows is a journey back into the past that presents Melody with a long standing conundrum, a family legacy to unlock, an inheritance to pursue and plenty of startling clues relating to the past.
Inspired by the author’s own special interest in bushrangers and the thrill of the gold rush era, The Road to Ironbark offers a fascinating aggregation of the past and the present in the one enthralling tale. Dobbie’s trademark style of rich Australian history, intrigue, romance and fully realised settings makes this latest release a fabulous read.
I loved the themes circulating around this one. From the search for a place to call home, belonging, family lineage, heritage and making essential links to the past all define this new novel from Kaye Dobbie. Within the context of a vividly created Australian history, the reader is confronted with bushrangers, a hostage negotiation, a cache of money, a stoic publican and a shock disappearance. The Road to Ironbark presents a well-stocked narrative, especially in the past sequences set in nineteenth century Victoria. I found the narrative in these instances of the book to be full of interest, conjecture, twists and turns. Dobbie has really taken her time with her journey back into the past and this trusted author passionately recreates a time of discovery, danger, thrills and unpleasant times.
In terms of the connection to the modern day storyline, I found this segment of the narrative to be engaging, but also essential to the overall direction of The Road to Ironbark. This novel would be incomplete without the input of Melody’s quest in the present to uncover the truth behind the fable of the missing payroll. I really enjoyed following the character of Melody. Dobbie did an excellent job of illuminating the values and core personality traits of this key protagonist. On the other end of the spectrum, Dobbie’s past based leading lady, Aurora Scott, is another wonderful and three dimensional character. There is a lot to admire about Aurora and she certainly adds plenty of colour to the unfolding tale. The links to Aurora’s involvement in the hostage siege and her resulting disappearance definitely held my full interest.
With a full round of themes that enrich one another, from romance, history, mystery, excitement and a touch of the supernatural, The Road to Ironbark pairs the past with the present to great accord.
*I wish to thank Harlequin Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
The Road to Ironbark is book #126 of the 2020 Australian Women Writers Challenge
A daring siege, vehemence, retribution and a puzzling secret hidden for over a century marks The Road to Ironbark by Kaye Dobbie. Written in the form of a compelling parallel timeline that crosses events in a Victorian goldfields town in nineteenth century to modern day times in the same locale, Kaye Dobbie’s latest presentation is not to be missed.
Beginning in 1874 in the Victorian town of Ironbark and moving to 2017 in the same Goldfields location, The Road to Ironbark regales two equally intriguing tales. In the 1874 thread we meet Aurora Scott, a woman who faces swift ruin, as her hotel is decimated by the railway system. Aurora refuses to give up or give in, she is a true force to be reckoned with. Armed with plenty of determination and a strong fighting spirit, this publican toils on. However, when a gang of bushrangers take over Aurora’s establishment, taking hostages with them while making some hefty demands, Aurora knows she is faced with the impossible. When the hostage situation comes to a head, Aurora vanishes, along with the money from the bushrangers. Over a century later, the long standing mystery of the whereabouts of the money from this event still remains uncertain. With plenty of stories and conjecture passed around about the missing payroll, it is no surprise that a journalist in present day feels she must investigate the folklore surrounding this age old mystery. Melody Lawson is a journalist determined to get to the bottom of the truth surrounding the mysterious payroll. What follows is a journey back into the past that presents Melody with a long standing conundrum, a family legacy to unlock, an inheritance to pursue and plenty of startling clues relating to the past.
Inspired by the author’s own special interest in bushrangers and the thrill of the gold rush era, The Road to Ironbark offers a fascinating aggregation of the past and the present in the one enthralling tale. Dobbie’s trademark style of rich Australian history, intrigue, romance and fully realised settings makes this latest release a fabulous read.
I loved the themes circulating around this one. From the search for a place to call home, belonging, family lineage, heritage and making essential links to the past all define this new novel from Kaye Dobbie. Within the context of a vividly created Australian history, the reader is confronted with bushrangers, a hostage negotiation, a cache of money, a stoic publican and a shock disappearance. The Road to Ironbark presents a well-stocked narrative, especially in the past sequences set in nineteenth century Victoria. I found the narrative in these instances of the book to be full of interest, conjecture, twists and turns. Dobbie has really taken her time with her journey back into the past and this trusted author passionately recreates a time of discovery, danger, thrills and unpleasant times.
In terms of the connection to the modern day storyline, I found this segment of the narrative to be engaging, but also essential to the overall direction of The Road to Ironbark. This novel would be incomplete without the input of Melody’s quest in the present to uncover the truth behind the fable of the missing payroll. I really enjoyed following the character of Melody. Dobbie did an excellent job of illuminating the values and core personality traits of this key protagonist. On the other end of the spectrum, Dobbie’s past based leading lady, Aurora Scott, is another wonderful and three dimensional character. There is a lot to admire about Aurora and she certainly adds plenty of colour to the unfolding tale. The links to Aurora’s involvement in the hostage siege and her resulting disappearance definitely held my full interest.
With a full round of themes that enrich one another, from romance, history, mystery, excitement and a touch of the supernatural, The Road to Ironbark pairs the past with the present to great accord.
*I wish to thank Harlequin Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
The Road to Ironbark is book #126 of the 2020 Australian Women Writers Challenge
September 11, 2020
If you enjoy going back to the Australian gold rush days and a little mystery to solve then this is a book you should pick up, a beautifully told and written story that pulled me in, made me feel like I was in two timelines. The characters are true and easy to get to know I do hope that you will pick this one up and enjoy it as much as I did.
It is 1874 and Aurora Scott is running the Ironbark hotel and doing her best to keep the town going but that is getting harder and harder especially now the railways have come through and Cob & Co are just about to pull out of Ironbark. Aurora has been through a lot in her short life and struggled hard but when a group of bushrangers storm the hotel and steal the payroll Aurora does her best to do what is needed but there is a lot more than robbery about the hold-up.
One hundred and fifty years later Ironbark is still going as a town and on the anniversary of the hold-up they have a gold hunt day and journalist Melody Lawson who now lives in Melbourne is called home with the news that her mother has been killed in a car accident, heartbroken she stays for a while and helps her brother in the planning, the town comes alive with visitors wanting to know more about the hold-up. Melody is stunned when she is left an inheritance the old Starburst mine and now there are a lot of secrets to be uncovered past and present.
This was a fascinating story that I could hardly put down, I loved the history and the people in this story past and present, Aurora Scott and Melody Lawson are two very strong woman who knew what they wanted and stood up for it, I loved the romances in both timelines and I savoured every word and I can’t recommend this book enough I loved it and it is so hard to believe but it is the first Kaye Dobbie book I have read that is going to change.
Thank you Harlequin for the copy to read and Kaye Dobbie for the fabulous story.
It is 1874 and Aurora Scott is running the Ironbark hotel and doing her best to keep the town going but that is getting harder and harder especially now the railways have come through and Cob & Co are just about to pull out of Ironbark. Aurora has been through a lot in her short life and struggled hard but when a group of bushrangers storm the hotel and steal the payroll Aurora does her best to do what is needed but there is a lot more than robbery about the hold-up.
One hundred and fifty years later Ironbark is still going as a town and on the anniversary of the hold-up they have a gold hunt day and journalist Melody Lawson who now lives in Melbourne is called home with the news that her mother has been killed in a car accident, heartbroken she stays for a while and helps her brother in the planning, the town comes alive with visitors wanting to know more about the hold-up. Melody is stunned when she is left an inheritance the old Starburst mine and now there are a lot of secrets to be uncovered past and present.
This was a fascinating story that I could hardly put down, I loved the history and the people in this story past and present, Aurora Scott and Melody Lawson are two very strong woman who knew what they wanted and stood up for it, I loved the romances in both timelines and I savoured every word and I can’t recommend this book enough I loved it and it is so hard to believe but it is the first Kaye Dobbie book I have read that is going to change.
Thank you Harlequin for the copy to read and Kaye Dobbie for the fabulous story.
August 9, 2020
I have read and enjoyed previous stories by Kaye and therefore was excited to read her latest tale. Here is another dual timeline narrative with dates ranging from 1855 to 2017. Kaye does a great job at moulding and interweaving all the pieces of the puzzle to build suspense and present a good mystery - providing an even blend between both the contemporary and historical tale. This is a story about family secrets and how their revelation will have a major impact on the present.
In the past we have Aurora who is facing ruin at her hotel if the Cobb & Co coaches transfer to rail. Then one day bushrangers storm her hotel when the last coach is present. The fallout from that incident will ripple out over the years to present day Ironbark and the annual Gold Hunt Weekend. Melody returning home suddenly finds herself at the centre of family secrets and far reaching revelations. Chapters alternate between Aurora and Melody and I found the present day events more engaging. There are many interesting secondary characters that help provide real depth to the storyline. There are some interesting twists that provide for entertaining reading.
‘The stories about Aurora were more tantalising. On the surface, she was a respectable woman, a widow with business acumen, who ... if you dug deeper, you found something a little murkier ... after the hold-up, her name became very well known. She was idolised, possibly because she had vanished and was presumed dead. I was of the opinion that dead people were often whitewashed by history ... however, not everyone at the time believed the official version of her life story. ’
At times, particularly in the hotel hold up, events moved somewhat slowly with not a great deal happening. Kaye has multiple puzzle pieces on her storyboard that she moves around, with the final few passages moving at a very fast rate. I was not really onboard with the ghost, it was on the periphery of the story and therefore had little to contribute. There were twice as many dates as needed - 1855, 1874, 1990, 2017 - and this was a little awkward in the narrative.
If you enjoy some light historical fiction with a little romance, then The Road to Ironbark is sure to be the book for you. It is a solid story with Kaye doing a clever job of blending the two stories together to make for an enjoyable read with some great twists.
‘Life could be cruel and there were regrets, but you had to make the most of it. You had to grasp your opportunities and hold on to them.’
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
In the past we have Aurora who is facing ruin at her hotel if the Cobb & Co coaches transfer to rail. Then one day bushrangers storm her hotel when the last coach is present. The fallout from that incident will ripple out over the years to present day Ironbark and the annual Gold Hunt Weekend. Melody returning home suddenly finds herself at the centre of family secrets and far reaching revelations. Chapters alternate between Aurora and Melody and I found the present day events more engaging. There are many interesting secondary characters that help provide real depth to the storyline. There are some interesting twists that provide for entertaining reading.
‘The stories about Aurora were more tantalising. On the surface, she was a respectable woman, a widow with business acumen, who ... if you dug deeper, you found something a little murkier ... after the hold-up, her name became very well known. She was idolised, possibly because she had vanished and was presumed dead. I was of the opinion that dead people were often whitewashed by history ... however, not everyone at the time believed the official version of her life story. ’
At times, particularly in the hotel hold up, events moved somewhat slowly with not a great deal happening. Kaye has multiple puzzle pieces on her storyboard that she moves around, with the final few passages moving at a very fast rate. I was not really onboard with the ghost, it was on the periphery of the story and therefore had little to contribute. There were twice as many dates as needed - 1855, 1874, 1990, 2017 - and this was a little awkward in the narrative.
If you enjoy some light historical fiction with a little romance, then The Road to Ironbark is sure to be the book for you. It is a solid story with Kaye doing a clever job of blending the two stories together to make for an enjoyable read with some great twists.
‘Life could be cruel and there were regrets, but you had to make the most of it. You had to grasp your opportunities and hold on to them.’
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
March 4, 2021
I enjoy this historical fiction. Flicks between past and present and things are made clear at the end. The ending didn't fall short.
August 9, 2020
A dual timeline historical fiction set in the Victorian goldfields and the now.
A story of mystery, determination, intrigue, romance and two strong women over a century apart.
1874, in the town of Ironbark, Aurora Scott is the leading lady, a successful publican and admired by the towns people.
When a gang of Bush rangers raid the hotel, as a bargaining chip they take hostages to steal the payroll box from the Starburst Mine fellows who happen to stop at the hotel.
Trouble has arrived and Aurora disappears.
2017, Melody Lawson visits the town to help her brother assemble the annual Gold Hunt Weekend.
The mystery has never been solved, what happened to Aurora Scott and the payroll?
Melody finds herself drawn into the past and her own family history where one puzzle becomes another after a mysterious inheritance emerges.
Kaye has given fans an adventure in both time zones which blend together seamlessly.
I found the story in 1874 compelling, Aurora strong and captivating and it was a joy to be transported back to a time of hardship and passion.
There’s a strong thread of riddles and concealed family history that gives the bookworm something to think about and really burrow into the plot.
An excellent double storyline that will have you engaged for hours of enjoyment.
A story of mystery, determination, intrigue, romance and two strong women over a century apart.
1874, in the town of Ironbark, Aurora Scott is the leading lady, a successful publican and admired by the towns people.
When a gang of Bush rangers raid the hotel, as a bargaining chip they take hostages to steal the payroll box from the Starburst Mine fellows who happen to stop at the hotel.
Trouble has arrived and Aurora disappears.
2017, Melody Lawson visits the town to help her brother assemble the annual Gold Hunt Weekend.
The mystery has never been solved, what happened to Aurora Scott and the payroll?
Melody finds herself drawn into the past and her own family history where one puzzle becomes another after a mysterious inheritance emerges.
Kaye has given fans an adventure in both time zones which blend together seamlessly.
I found the story in 1874 compelling, Aurora strong and captivating and it was a joy to be transported back to a time of hardship and passion.
There’s a strong thread of riddles and concealed family history that gives the bookworm something to think about and really burrow into the plot.
An excellent double storyline that will have you engaged for hours of enjoyment.
August 17, 2020
The Road to Ironbark is a fascinating multiple timeline Australian rural romantic suspense. The story is told through the eyes of three women, Aurora Patterson in and around the Ballarat goldfields between 1855 and the mid-1870’s, Melody Lawson in present day Ironbark, and her mother Rain in the 1980’s and present day. Through Aurora’s eyes we see the unfolding of a mystery surrounding a brazen armed robbery at the Ironbark Hotel, something that Melody is working to unravel. Her mother Rain’s involvement with the reclusive Anthony Maddox also plays into the story.
This story drew me in right away, superbly foreshadowing events that would unfold and ensuring I would keep turning the pages, which I did as quickly as I could. I loved the way the book flicked between Melody’s story and Aurora’s to provide a multi-layered an entertaining reading experience. I was also intrigued to see how the simmering romance between Ironbark police constable Hugh Nicholson and Melody would develop. With so many things to pique my curiosity this book kept me intrigued right to the last page.
This story drew me in right away, superbly foreshadowing events that would unfold and ensuring I would keep turning the pages, which I did as quickly as I could. I loved the way the book flicked between Melody’s story and Aurora’s to provide a multi-layered an entertaining reading experience. I was also intrigued to see how the simmering romance between Ironbark police constable Hugh Nicholson and Melody would develop. With so many things to pique my curiosity this book kept me intrigued right to the last page.
September 26, 2020
The disappearance in 1874 of the Starburst Mine's payroll and Aurora Scott, the proprietor of the Ironbark Hotel, is a mystery that has never been solved and draws the crowds to Ironbark's annual Gold Hunt Weekend 150 years later. The hotel still carries a reminder of that fateful day: a bullet hole in the mural painted by Aurora.
Aurora Scott is all too aware that the coming of the railroad spells doom for her business. No longer will the hotel be a stop off point for the Cobb & Co. coach travelling between Melbourne and Bendigo, and Silas Maddox, the unpopular local mine owner, has already switched to the railroad to deliver his payroll. Why then does the coach arrive with the payroll and armed guards, driven by 'Yankee Jack' Fletcher who is not the designated driver for the day? And why would a pregnant woman, close to term, undertake a long and arduous journey in a stagecoach?
When Melody Lawson returns to Ironbark following a family tragedy, she receives news of an unexpected inheritance. This brings with it a secret, many questions and an element of danger. As she helps her family prepare for the Gold Hunt Weekend, she becomes more intrigued by the reclusive Anthony Maddox's relationship with her mother, his estrangement from his family and the reasons, even when pressured, he hung on to the Starburst Mine. Another distraction is the presence in town of Shawn Maddox. His interest in Melody and the mine causes friction between her and Hugh Nicholson, the local police constable and an old flame.
Both story lines complemented each other very well, but I found the 19th century timeline more appealing due to the restrictive setting and the diverse group of characters. Apart from Aurora, her four employees and the stagecoach driver, the others included an Italian singer and her companion, the pregnant woman and her five year old daughter, and the four bushrangers, who become more desperate as their plans begin to fall apart. Some of the characters' backstories are shared and although some of theses are unpleasant, they take the reader back to events that occurred in 1855 and the subsequent years, to provide the reasons for the hold up at the hotel, and a very emotional reunion.
The Road to Iron Bark has all the hallmarks that make Kaye Dobbie's novels so exciting and a pleasure to read: lots of interesting characters, strong heroines, an intriguing mystery, romance, a touch of the paranormal and, above all, those ties between the past and the present that form the heart of the story. How Melody and Aurora Scott are connected takes a few moments to work out when presented with all the facts, but wraps up the story very well.
This is another captivating tale from Kaye Dobbie that will delight her fans and new readers alike.
Thank you to Harlequin Australia/Mira via Netgalley for a complimentary copy of this book.
Aurora Scott is all too aware that the coming of the railroad spells doom for her business. No longer will the hotel be a stop off point for the Cobb & Co. coach travelling between Melbourne and Bendigo, and Silas Maddox, the unpopular local mine owner, has already switched to the railroad to deliver his payroll. Why then does the coach arrive with the payroll and armed guards, driven by 'Yankee Jack' Fletcher who is not the designated driver for the day? And why would a pregnant woman, close to term, undertake a long and arduous journey in a stagecoach?
When Melody Lawson returns to Ironbark following a family tragedy, she receives news of an unexpected inheritance. This brings with it a secret, many questions and an element of danger. As she helps her family prepare for the Gold Hunt Weekend, she becomes more intrigued by the reclusive Anthony Maddox's relationship with her mother, his estrangement from his family and the reasons, even when pressured, he hung on to the Starburst Mine. Another distraction is the presence in town of Shawn Maddox. His interest in Melody and the mine causes friction between her and Hugh Nicholson, the local police constable and an old flame.
Both story lines complemented each other very well, but I found the 19th century timeline more appealing due to the restrictive setting and the diverse group of characters. Apart from Aurora, her four employees and the stagecoach driver, the others included an Italian singer and her companion, the pregnant woman and her five year old daughter, and the four bushrangers, who become more desperate as their plans begin to fall apart. Some of the characters' backstories are shared and although some of theses are unpleasant, they take the reader back to events that occurred in 1855 and the subsequent years, to provide the reasons for the hold up at the hotel, and a very emotional reunion.
The Road to Iron Bark has all the hallmarks that make Kaye Dobbie's novels so exciting and a pleasure to read: lots of interesting characters, strong heroines, an intriguing mystery, romance, a touch of the paranormal and, above all, those ties between the past and the present that form the heart of the story. How Melody and Aurora Scott are connected takes a few moments to work out when presented with all the facts, but wraps up the story very well.
This is another captivating tale from Kaye Dobbie that will delight her fans and new readers alike.
Thank you to Harlequin Australia/Mira via Netgalley for a complimentary copy of this book.
January 8, 2021
A huge congrats to Kaye Dobbie. 'The Road to Ironbark' is filled with mystery, history and drama with a dash of romance—but romance that serves an important purpose in the plot. This novel shines in the telling of its dual timeline periods (1855-1874/5, 1984-2017+) and in the unravelling of family history and secrets. My kind of story! Told through three intriguing women: Aurora, Melody and Rain-- with Rain having the least pages but offering some of the most critical revelations of the mystery and at the right points in the story.
The 1874 Victorian Goldfields storyline delivers a complex revenge scheme filled with bushrangers, hostages, a hotel facing ruin, a new railway line and a mine’s missing payroll. At the centre of this drama is a woman named Aurora who has risen above her shadowy past, built a respectable reputation but eventually goes missing.
The 2017 timeline takes us back to the same Goldfield setting, Ironbark. This time with journalist Melody at the helm. And there’s more: an added twist of an unexpected inheritance, a heartbreaking accident, two men seeking the same woman’s attention— plus, the ongoing mystery of the missing payroll.
It is a real page turner--hard to put down and all the threads of the story (past and present) are masterfully executed and finalised in a very satisfying climax.
I believe Kaye deserves 5 stars for her creative delivery and extra hugs for this novel’s completion for in her Acknowledgement she states that during its writing she was caring for her ill mother who was diagnosed with breast cancer and passed away in 2019. I am fortunate that my mom is a breast cancer survivor but I know the trauma and trials of such news and not everyone’s experience ends well. Not only are Kaye’s leading characters strong women in 'The Road to Ironbark' but Kaye is herself to complete this novel under such difficult circumstances. For me, Rain, the older mother of this story, takes on an even greater presence and meaning.
I highly recommend 'The Road to Ironbark'. A five star exceptional story by Kaye Dobbie--perfect for those who love Australian historical fiction (relating to the Goldfields era).
The 1874 Victorian Goldfields storyline delivers a complex revenge scheme filled with bushrangers, hostages, a hotel facing ruin, a new railway line and a mine’s missing payroll. At the centre of this drama is a woman named Aurora who has risen above her shadowy past, built a respectable reputation but eventually goes missing.
The 2017 timeline takes us back to the same Goldfield setting, Ironbark. This time with journalist Melody at the helm. And there’s more: an added twist of an unexpected inheritance, a heartbreaking accident, two men seeking the same woman’s attention— plus, the ongoing mystery of the missing payroll.
It is a real page turner--hard to put down and all the threads of the story (past and present) are masterfully executed and finalised in a very satisfying climax.
I believe Kaye deserves 5 stars for her creative delivery and extra hugs for this novel’s completion for in her Acknowledgement she states that during its writing she was caring for her ill mother who was diagnosed with breast cancer and passed away in 2019. I am fortunate that my mom is a breast cancer survivor but I know the trauma and trials of such news and not everyone’s experience ends well. Not only are Kaye’s leading characters strong women in 'The Road to Ironbark' but Kaye is herself to complete this novel under such difficult circumstances. For me, Rain, the older mother of this story, takes on an even greater presence and meaning.
I highly recommend 'The Road to Ironbark'. A five star exceptional story by Kaye Dobbie--perfect for those who love Australian historical fiction (relating to the Goldfields era).
January 9, 2021
Book blurb...
A daring hold-up. Passion. Revenge. A mystery that will echo through the centuries. A compelling romantic adventure, perfect for readers who love Darry Fraser.
1874,The Victorian Goldfields
In the town of Ironbark, Aurora Scott faces ruin as the railways supplant the Cobb & Co coach line, the lifeline of her hotel. Aurora is no stranger to adversity; the formidable publican has pulled herself from a murky past to build a respectable life in Ironbark. But when bushrangers storm the hotel, taking hostages as leverage for the Starburst Mine's payroll, Aurora has more trouble on her hands than she can handle.
This is no random act, but a complex scheme of revenge. The gang turn on each other. Shots ring out. And when the dust settles, the money has vanished, and so has Aurora Scott...
After 150 years, the mystery of the missing payroll has passed into folklore. And when journalist Melody Lawson helps her brother prepare for the town's annual Gold Hunt Weekend, she is just as drawn into the past as the tourists. But with a surprise inheritance her own family history becomes a puzzle, bound up with the fabled payroll - and as Melody follows the clues, danger mounts…
My thoughts…
Based around two time periods, the key link—although not immediately obvious—is the township of Ironbark and the Lawson Family. Each story in this dual time period plot carries its own conflicts and the threads tied perfectly. It is obvious Kaye is a seasoned author and I look forward to finding her backlist.
The setting/landscape was authentic and clearly in a master storyteller’s hands, giving readers a sense of Ironbark as a township in both time periods.
As for the characters, I found myself wishing for a happy ending for Aurora, while Melody was a little disappointing as a female character.
I enjoyed the overall story but favoured the Victorian Goldfields of 1874.
This review is also published on http://www.readroundoz.wordpress.com
A daring hold-up. Passion. Revenge. A mystery that will echo through the centuries. A compelling romantic adventure, perfect for readers who love Darry Fraser.
1874,The Victorian Goldfields
In the town of Ironbark, Aurora Scott faces ruin as the railways supplant the Cobb & Co coach line, the lifeline of her hotel. Aurora is no stranger to adversity; the formidable publican has pulled herself from a murky past to build a respectable life in Ironbark. But when bushrangers storm the hotel, taking hostages as leverage for the Starburst Mine's payroll, Aurora has more trouble on her hands than she can handle.
This is no random act, but a complex scheme of revenge. The gang turn on each other. Shots ring out. And when the dust settles, the money has vanished, and so has Aurora Scott...
After 150 years, the mystery of the missing payroll has passed into folklore. And when journalist Melody Lawson helps her brother prepare for the town's annual Gold Hunt Weekend, she is just as drawn into the past as the tourists. But with a surprise inheritance her own family history becomes a puzzle, bound up with the fabled payroll - and as Melody follows the clues, danger mounts…
My thoughts…
Based around two time periods, the key link—although not immediately obvious—is the township of Ironbark and the Lawson Family. Each story in this dual time period plot carries its own conflicts and the threads tied perfectly. It is obvious Kaye is a seasoned author and I look forward to finding her backlist.
The setting/landscape was authentic and clearly in a master storyteller’s hands, giving readers a sense of Ironbark as a township in both time periods.
As for the characters, I found myself wishing for a happy ending for Aurora, while Melody was a little disappointing as a female character.
I enjoyed the overall story but favoured the Victorian Goldfields of 1874.
This review is also published on http://www.readroundoz.wordpress.com
November 15, 2020
4.5 stars
Thank you to @harlequinaus for sending me a copy of this book to review.
This book is written as a dual timeline. In 1874 Aurora is the proprietor of the Ironbark Hotel near the Ballarat goldfields. The lifeline of her hotel is the Cobb & Co coach line, which is being replaced slowly by rail. The payroll of the Starburst Mine has switched from being sent by coach to rail, however one day it mysteriously reappears on the coach and there is some confusion over who is picking it up.
When bushrangers storm the hotel taking the patrons hostage as leverage for the payroll, Aurora is caught in the middle of a complex scheme.
In 2017 Melody has returned to Ironbark from Melbourne to assist her brother and participate in the annual Gold Hunt Weekend and as a journalist she is as intrigued as everyone else as to what happened to Aurora and payroll which were never seen again after the events of 1874. But a surprise inheritance creates yet another mystery for Melody to investigate and this one could be equally as dangerous.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I was kept guessing until right to the end as to how some of the characters were linked and how the two stories would intertwine. I enjoyed the characters, the ambience created around Ironbark and the progression of the story. I did get a little confused by some of the characters in the 1874 storyline initially, but once I had them all sorted in my mind, it was a great story to get immersed in. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
Thank you to @harlequinaus for sending me a copy of this book to review.
This book is written as a dual timeline. In 1874 Aurora is the proprietor of the Ironbark Hotel near the Ballarat goldfields. The lifeline of her hotel is the Cobb & Co coach line, which is being replaced slowly by rail. The payroll of the Starburst Mine has switched from being sent by coach to rail, however one day it mysteriously reappears on the coach and there is some confusion over who is picking it up.
When bushrangers storm the hotel taking the patrons hostage as leverage for the payroll, Aurora is caught in the middle of a complex scheme.
In 2017 Melody has returned to Ironbark from Melbourne to assist her brother and participate in the annual Gold Hunt Weekend and as a journalist she is as intrigued as everyone else as to what happened to Aurora and payroll which were never seen again after the events of 1874. But a surprise inheritance creates yet another mystery for Melody to investigate and this one could be equally as dangerous.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I was kept guessing until right to the end as to how some of the characters were linked and how the two stories would intertwine. I enjoyed the characters, the ambience created around Ironbark and the progression of the story. I did get a little confused by some of the characters in the 1874 storyline initially, but once I had them all sorted in my mind, it was a great story to get immersed in. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
July 26, 2020
I love a story with two storylines, especially when done well and ‘The Road to Ironbark’, does just that. The book moves between the time period of 1855 - 1874 telling the story of Aurora Scott, who faces ruin when the Cobb & Co coach line, ceases to run past her hotel. With debts mounting, the events that take place when the bushrangers storm her hotel, will resonate for the next 150 years. In 2017, journalist Melody Lawson returns to her hometown for the town's annual Gold Hunt Weekend, only to find herself confronting a surprise inheritance and revelations about her family and its secrets.
What I truly enjoyed about this book was that as soon as I was immersed in Melody’s story, it stopped and started with Aurora’s story. Both were equally enjoyable stories and the secondary characters were well interwoven giving depth to the storyline. I also found the connection between the two main characters cleverly explained.
This is a book that will have you hooked from the start.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
What I truly enjoyed about this book was that as soon as I was immersed in Melody’s story, it stopped and started with Aurora’s story. Both were equally enjoyable stories and the secondary characters were well interwoven giving depth to the storyline. I also found the connection between the two main characters cleverly explained.
This is a book that will have you hooked from the start.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
December 4, 2023
This history/mystery book flicks between the past and the present bringing characters alive from the late 1800's to today in the town of Ironbark.
Melody Lawson returns to her hometown after being away many years. Her mother has passed in a motor vehicle accident recently and she is back to help her brother who owns the local hotel where a daring robbery happened in 1874.
Melody decides to try and solve the robbery to see where the money went and to see what happened to the colorful character of Aurora Scott, as she disappeared immediately after the robbery.
In the meantime, Melody finds out that the man she thought was her father is not and her biological father has passed and left her a fortune.
A great read that slowly unravels secrets of the past!
Melody Lawson returns to her hometown after being away many years. Her mother has passed in a motor vehicle accident recently and she is back to help her brother who owns the local hotel where a daring robbery happened in 1874.
Melody decides to try and solve the robbery to see where the money went and to see what happened to the colorful character of Aurora Scott, as she disappeared immediately after the robbery.
In the meantime, Melody finds out that the man she thought was her father is not and her biological father has passed and left her a fortune.
A great read that slowly unravels secrets of the past!
November 22, 2020
This was a first time read by this Author for me and I was not disappointed. I was hooked from the start to the very last word with a twist and turn along the way.
We get two story in the one book as we step back in time to 1874 Victorian Goldfields to the present day in the town of Ironbark Victoria.
Two woman over a 150 years apart but with so much in common.
A quaint little country town.
A mystery over a 150 years old.
A forgotten love.
This all leads to hours of enjoyment for the reader as the author takes as on a journey in time. A great read.
We get two story in the one book as we step back in time to 1874 Victorian Goldfields to the present day in the town of Ironbark Victoria.
Two woman over a 150 years apart but with so much in common.
A quaint little country town.
A mystery over a 150 years old.
A forgotten love.
This all leads to hours of enjoyment for the reader as the author takes as on a journey in time. A great read.
August 30, 2023
November 22, 2020
This was the first time read by this Author for me and I was not disappointed. I was hooked from the start to the very last word with a twist and turn along the way.
We get two stories in one book as we step back in time to 1874 Victorian Goldfields to the present day in the town of Ironbark Victoria.
Two women over 150 years apart but with so much in common.
A quaint little country town.
A mystery over 150 years old.
A forgotten love.
This all leads to hours of enjoyment for the reader as the author takes us on a journey in time. A great read.
This was the first time read by this Author for me and I was not disappointed. I was hooked from the start to the very last word with a twist and turn along the way.
We get two stories in one book as we step back in time to 1874 Victorian Goldfields to the present day in the town of Ironbark Victoria.
Two women over 150 years apart but with so much in common.
A quaint little country town.
A mystery over 150 years old.
A forgotten love.
This all leads to hours of enjoyment for the reader as the author takes us on a journey in time. A great read.
July 25, 2020
All up, I’d say I really enjoyed this book. Historical fiction with a little romance. Really could have lived without the ghost though. Removed a sense of believability. I did predict all the twists, but I say that in a good way. It wasn’t super obvious and I felt happy to think I’d been able to see them coming. An easy, enjoyable read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for my review.
August 13, 2020
Another entertaining dual timeline read from Kaye Dobbie.
I thought both time lines where well done but for me, I do enjoy the present day more so.
I could see exactly the way the story was going to go, so some might find it quite predictable but I often say it’s the journey to get there that you enjoy.
Easy to pick up and put down during a busy period for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read.
I thought both time lines where well done but for me, I do enjoy the present day more so.
I could see exactly the way the story was going to go, so some might find it quite predictable but I often say it’s the journey to get there that you enjoy.
Easy to pick up and put down during a busy period for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read.
October 25, 2020
Wonderful to get some Australian Historical romance fiction - Thank You.
Loved the structure of the book & the multiple time lines of different generations being run in parallel converging at the end. Would have given it a 5, but I found one bit quite unbelievable - the two sisters Aurora (& Ellen who at the age of 13) being torn apart; later not knowing one another initially.
anyway, overall still a great book.
Loved the structure of the book & the multiple time lines of different generations being run in parallel converging at the end. Would have given it a 5, but I found one bit quite unbelievable - the two sisters Aurora (& Ellen who at the age of 13) being torn apart; later not knowing one another initially.
anyway, overall still a great book.
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February 15, 2022I thoroughly enjoyed reading this Australian history-based novel and liked the way the author wove the story of the past with the one of a more recent time. The main characters were admirable women and I was kept guessing for quite some time about how the characters fitted into the story and what had happened in the past for the modern-day protagonist to uncover.
This was the first Kaye Dobbie novel I have read and look forward to reading more of her work if it is as good as this one.
This was the first Kaye Dobbie novel I have read and look forward to reading more of her work if it is as good as this one.
October 25, 2020
More like a 3.5. This book was ok. It didn’t really wow me or hold my attention for long. It seemed a bit boring and predictable. This is my first time reading this author. There were no major characters and it was a bit wishy washy.
August 29, 2020
Love this book the latest by Kaye Dobbie. Going between the 1870s and the time of bushrangers, to 2017 and a different type of bushranger!
October 6, 2020
This has been my favourite by Kaye. Enjoyed the twists in the story going back and forth through different timelines.
June 28, 2021
I've loved this author for a long time seeing as she writes under about 3 different names. A little disappointed that this was more romance than history/mystery.
June 4, 2022
A wee bit romantic/soppy in the end, but the story maintained its interest across the time zones
April 7, 2023
Great. I love Kaye Dobbies book and this one is fabulous
July 23, 2023
Id love to see an entirely historical mystery / adventure / romance from this author. Love her feisty historical heroines, and the well-rendered Victorian / Aussie landscape settings.
January 3, 2024
My first book of this year is done. Very enjoyable, the transition between time periods was easy to follow. A good mystery & a good ending. My first book by this author, so worth looking at others.
April 3, 2024
A great easy book to read, loved the storyline with history, mystery, love story and good descriptive characters. My first book by Kaye Dobbie- I Will definitely find another to read 👍🤗
May 27, 2025
A fabulous historical fiction set over two time periods. I loved this book!
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