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The Valley of Lost Stories
Beautiful, beguiling and treacherous ... Big Little Lies meets Picnic at Hanging Rock in a secluded valley over the Blue Mountains.
Four women and their children are invited to the beautiful but remote Capertee Valley for a much-needed holiday.
Once home to a burgeoning mining industry, now all that remains are ruins slowly being swallowed by the bush and the jewel of the valley, a stunning, renovated Art Deco hotel. This is a place haunted by secrets. In 1948 Clara Black walked into the night, never to be seen again.
As the valley beguiles these four friends, and haunts them in equal measure, each has to confront secrets of her own: Nathalie with a damaged marriage; Emmie yearning for another child; Pen struggling as a single parent; and Alexandra hiding in the shadow of her famous husband.
But as the mystery of what happened seventy years earlier unravels, one of the women also vanishes into this bewitching but wild place, forcing devastating truths to the surface.
Praise for The Lost Summers of Driftwood:
'McCausland is a natural storyteller who weaves love, loss, mystery and secrets into a satisfying tale' Herald Sun
'Full of mystery and romance, this is the perfect atmospheric summer read' Who Weekly
Four women and their children are invited to the beautiful but remote Capertee Valley for a much-needed holiday.
Once home to a burgeoning mining industry, now all that remains are ruins slowly being swallowed by the bush and the jewel of the valley, a stunning, renovated Art Deco hotel. This is a place haunted by secrets. In 1948 Clara Black walked into the night, never to be seen again.
As the valley beguiles these four friends, and haunts them in equal measure, each has to confront secrets of her own: Nathalie with a damaged marriage; Emmie yearning for another child; Pen struggling as a single parent; and Alexandra hiding in the shadow of her famous husband.
But as the mystery of what happened seventy years earlier unravels, one of the women also vanishes into this bewitching but wild place, forcing devastating truths to the surface.
Praise for The Lost Summers of Driftwood:
'McCausland is a natural storyteller who weaves love, loss, mystery and secrets into a satisfying tale' Herald Sun
'Full of mystery and romance, this is the perfect atmospheric summer read' Who Weekly
416 pages, Paperback
Published December 2, 2020
40 people are currently reading
706 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
February 17, 2021
⭐️4 Stars⭐️
A compelling story with a dark edge. Beautifully written and unputdownable.
The Valley of Lost Stories by Vanessa McCausland is told in two timelines the historical part being 1948. The story has an element of mystery and an atmospheric setting. How beautiful is the cover design?
When four school mums and their children get together for a short ‘getaway’, relationships become strained and they really get to know each other’s personalities and flaws. Even the most luminous looking life could be an illusion as they soon find out. There is much insight into human character in this tale as the mystery unfolds.
The valley west of The Blue Mountains, now a ghost town is a remote place of unparalleled natural beauty and it has a rich history. An old restored Art Deco style hotel from 1939 with its own resident ghost is the only business not in ruins and the women and their children end up staying there after their beach house booking falls through.
I found this an excellent read and would recommend especially to anyone that loved Big Little Lies and the themes of family and friendship dramas with murder and intrigue.
I wish to thank Netgalley & Harper Collins Australia for a copy to read and review.
A compelling story with a dark edge. Beautifully written and unputdownable.
The Valley of Lost Stories by Vanessa McCausland is told in two timelines the historical part being 1948. The story has an element of mystery and an atmospheric setting. How beautiful is the cover design?
When four school mums and their children get together for a short ‘getaway’, relationships become strained and they really get to know each other’s personalities and flaws. Even the most luminous looking life could be an illusion as they soon find out. There is much insight into human character in this tale as the mystery unfolds.
The valley west of The Blue Mountains, now a ghost town is a remote place of unparalleled natural beauty and it has a rich history. An old restored Art Deco style hotel from 1939 with its own resident ghost is the only business not in ruins and the women and their children end up staying there after their beach house booking falls through.
I found this an excellent read and would recommend especially to anyone that loved Big Little Lies and the themes of family and friendship dramas with murder and intrigue.
I wish to thank Netgalley & Harper Collins Australia for a copy to read and review.
March 16, 2021
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**4.5 stars**
The Lost Stories by Vanessa McCausland. (2020).
Four women and their children are invited to the beautiful but remote Capertree Valley, west of the Blue Mountains. Once home to a thriving town, only an enigmatic Art Deco hotel remains - and an unsolved mystery. In 1948, Cara Black walked into the night and was never seen again. As the valley beguiles and haunts the women, each has secrets of their own. Nathalie with a damaged marriage; Emmie, yearning for another child; Pen, struggling as a single parent; and Alexandra, hiding in her famous husband's shadow. But as the story of what happened 70 years earlier unravels, one of these women also vanishes which forces devastating truths to the surface.
I loved this author's debut novel and her second has proven just as excellent. The story alternates between two timelines: the present with the four families staying at an extremely isolated hotel; and the past where Cara Black has disappeared, which is really more about a woman named Jean who has unexpectedly come to a crossroads in her life. I enjoyed both timelines and thought they complemented each other well. Given the synopsis, I was surprised when I started the novel to discover that Nathalie, Emmie, Pen and Alexandra were not friends when the book begins (only Nathalie and Alexandra already had a friendship). However I did like seeing the relationships fall into place and learning more about each woman and her respective drama as the storylines developed. It was a great acknowledgment that everyone you see and know has their own issues in their lives, even though they may seem perfect at a glance and you may envy them.
Overall: a very well-written and engaging novel that will attract fans of many genres: Australian fiction; contemporary fiction; mystery fiction; and historical fiction.
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**4.5 stars**
The Lost Stories by Vanessa McCausland. (2020).
Four women and their children are invited to the beautiful but remote Capertree Valley, west of the Blue Mountains. Once home to a thriving town, only an enigmatic Art Deco hotel remains - and an unsolved mystery. In 1948, Cara Black walked into the night and was never seen again. As the valley beguiles and haunts the women, each has secrets of their own. Nathalie with a damaged marriage; Emmie, yearning for another child; Pen, struggling as a single parent; and Alexandra, hiding in her famous husband's shadow. But as the story of what happened 70 years earlier unravels, one of these women also vanishes which forces devastating truths to the surface.
I loved this author's debut novel and her second has proven just as excellent. The story alternates between two timelines: the present with the four families staying at an extremely isolated hotel; and the past where Cara Black has disappeared, which is really more about a woman named Jean who has unexpectedly come to a crossroads in her life. I enjoyed both timelines and thought they complemented each other well. Given the synopsis, I was surprised when I started the novel to discover that Nathalie, Emmie, Pen and Alexandra were not friends when the book begins (only Nathalie and Alexandra already had a friendship). However I did like seeing the relationships fall into place and learning more about each woman and her respective drama as the storylines developed. It was a great acknowledgment that everyone you see and know has their own issues in their lives, even though they may seem perfect at a glance and you may envy them.
Overall: a very well-written and engaging novel that will attract fans of many genres: Australian fiction; contemporary fiction; mystery fiction; and historical fiction.
November 14, 2020
Vanessa McCausland shows that stories about women’s friendships can really be spiced up with an element of mystery and a spooky atmospheric setting – I loved this even more because her descriptions of the Australian landscape were so vivid and relatable. I wasn’t surprised to read that the place she describes in her latest book was inspired by a real valley she visited with her daughter before writing the novel. I felt instantly transported there!
Lovers of Liane Moriarty’s books featuring female friendships will be pleased to hear that THE VALLEY OF LOST STORIES offers an equally compelling tale. Four women who are each facing their own challenges in their marriages and motherhood role are thrown together in an impromptu holiday in a grand hotel in a secluded valley near the Blue Mountains. And even though the trip was meant to give them an escape from their present troubles, they soon find themselves embroiled in a century old secret that has left its mark on the abandoned mining town.
If you have read and loved McCausland’s previous book, THE LOST SUMMERS OF DRIFTWOOD, then you will be pleased to hear that the author uses her skills to create another beguiling atmospheric backdrop to her latest book. Among the four different protagonists, there will be one every reader will be able to relate to at some level, even if it’s just the theme of female friendship dynamics. Although my kids have long grown up, I could instantly recall those days of early motherhood, beautiful and yet sometimes utterly exhausting and so very lonely had it not been for some amazing friends who listened and understood. I appreciated the author’s honesty without ever straying across the lines of soppy, whiny or preachy, as each character stayed true to herself and utterly relatable. It’s not an easy balance to achieve by any means!
THE VALLEY OF LOST STORIES encompasses a mix of genres that will appeal to a wide audience. Part mystery, part historical fiction, all wrapped into a compelling story about female friendship and motherhood against a spooky atmospheric backdrop. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and recommend it to anyone who is looking for a great summer read.
Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins Australia for the free electronic copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.
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Lovers of Liane Moriarty’s books featuring female friendships will be pleased to hear that THE VALLEY OF LOST STORIES offers an equally compelling tale. Four women who are each facing their own challenges in their marriages and motherhood role are thrown together in an impromptu holiday in a grand hotel in a secluded valley near the Blue Mountains. And even though the trip was meant to give them an escape from their present troubles, they soon find themselves embroiled in a century old secret that has left its mark on the abandoned mining town.
If you have read and loved McCausland’s previous book, THE LOST SUMMERS OF DRIFTWOOD, then you will be pleased to hear that the author uses her skills to create another beguiling atmospheric backdrop to her latest book. Among the four different protagonists, there will be one every reader will be able to relate to at some level, even if it’s just the theme of female friendship dynamics. Although my kids have long grown up, I could instantly recall those days of early motherhood, beautiful and yet sometimes utterly exhausting and so very lonely had it not been for some amazing friends who listened and understood. I appreciated the author’s honesty without ever straying across the lines of soppy, whiny or preachy, as each character stayed true to herself and utterly relatable. It’s not an easy balance to achieve by any means!
THE VALLEY OF LOST STORIES encompasses a mix of genres that will appeal to a wide audience. Part mystery, part historical fiction, all wrapped into a compelling story about female friendship and motherhood against a spooky atmospheric backdrop. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and recommend it to anyone who is looking for a great summer read.
Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins Australia for the free electronic copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.
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December 17, 2020
‘There’s something about this place. This whole valley....I feel like anything could happen. I’m not sure whether that’s good or bad....”
When Emmie wins a week’s holiday on the coast from a school raffle, she impulsively invites new friends Nathalie, Alexandra, Pen, and their children, to join her and her daughter. Each woman has a different reason to look forward to a break from their hectic lives so when the accomodation falls through and a client of Alexandra’s generously offers an alternative they leap at the chance. Considered the jewel of Capertee Valley when the area was home to a thriving shale oil mining operation, the Valley Hotel now sits isolated on the outskirts of an abandoned town. The women, and their children, are initially charmed by the hotel’s faded Art Deco elegance, and ready to embrace a week of relaxation, but the Valley is a place of secrets, and when Pen vanishes without a trace one morning, the third woman to disappear in mysterious circumstances in the hotel’s history, they are all forced to confront some uncomfortable truths.
*possible spoilers*
Unfolding from multiple perspectives, across two timelines, The Valley of Lost Stories by Vanessa McCausland is a captivating women’s fiction novel with a thrilling edge of suspense.
McCausland deftly explores the complexities of self, motherhood, friendship, love and loss in The Valley of Lost Stories. Her four main protagonists are struggling with a variety of challenges associated primarily with marriage and motherhood, which also affects how they see themselves, and each other. Several of these issues are forced into the open during their stay in Valley Hotel, straining their friendships with one other. The characters are richly developed, and there is an honesty to their thoughts and behaviours which women, and mothers in particular, will recognise.
There is a growing sense of unease that McCausland carefully cultivates even before Pen’s inexplicable disappearance. In part this comes from the storyline that takes place in 1946 and explores the fate of a woman named Clara Black who walked into the night and vanished during a dance at the hotel. In the present timeline, Pen’s son claims to see a ghostly apparition on their very first day, Macie, their hostess, begins to behave oddly soon after, and tension develops between the friends. When these elements are combined with an understanding of the tragic history of the area (involving the horrific massacre of an Aboriginal tribe), the gothic impression of the hotel, and the author’s vivid descriptions of the abandoned mines and town surrounded by the dense bush of the Blue Mountains, there is a feeling of dream-like anxiety that snaps sharply into focus when the women realise Pen is gone.
Brilliant and beguiling, The Valley of Lost Stories is an absorbing and atmospheric tale, beautifully told, I’m happy to recommend.
When Emmie wins a week’s holiday on the coast from a school raffle, she impulsively invites new friends Nathalie, Alexandra, Pen, and their children, to join her and her daughter. Each woman has a different reason to look forward to a break from their hectic lives so when the accomodation falls through and a client of Alexandra’s generously offers an alternative they leap at the chance. Considered the jewel of Capertee Valley when the area was home to a thriving shale oil mining operation, the Valley Hotel now sits isolated on the outskirts of an abandoned town. The women, and their children, are initially charmed by the hotel’s faded Art Deco elegance, and ready to embrace a week of relaxation, but the Valley is a place of secrets, and when Pen vanishes without a trace one morning, the third woman to disappear in mysterious circumstances in the hotel’s history, they are all forced to confront some uncomfortable truths.
*possible spoilers*
Unfolding from multiple perspectives, across two timelines, The Valley of Lost Stories by Vanessa McCausland is a captivating women’s fiction novel with a thrilling edge of suspense.
McCausland deftly explores the complexities of self, motherhood, friendship, love and loss in The Valley of Lost Stories. Her four main protagonists are struggling with a variety of challenges associated primarily with marriage and motherhood, which also affects how they see themselves, and each other. Several of these issues are forced into the open during their stay in Valley Hotel, straining their friendships with one other. The characters are richly developed, and there is an honesty to their thoughts and behaviours which women, and mothers in particular, will recognise.
There is a growing sense of unease that McCausland carefully cultivates even before Pen’s inexplicable disappearance. In part this comes from the storyline that takes place in 1946 and explores the fate of a woman named Clara Black who walked into the night and vanished during a dance at the hotel. In the present timeline, Pen’s son claims to see a ghostly apparition on their very first day, Macie, their hostess, begins to behave oddly soon after, and tension develops between the friends. When these elements are combined with an understanding of the tragic history of the area (involving the horrific massacre of an Aboriginal tribe), the gothic impression of the hotel, and the author’s vivid descriptions of the abandoned mines and town surrounded by the dense bush of the Blue Mountains, there is a feeling of dream-like anxiety that snaps sharply into focus when the women realise Pen is gone.
Brilliant and beguiling, The Valley of Lost Stories is an absorbing and atmospheric tale, beautifully told, I’m happy to recommend.
January 13, 2021
This book is described as ‘Big Little Lies meets Picnic at Hanging Rock’ on its blurb. Well, for once, it’s not a bad comparison.
Four school mums decide to take a small holiday together, with their children but no husbands. McCausland uses the atmospheric setting of their holiday destination to great effect. They stay in a hotel which in its heyday of the 1940s was frequented by a clientele of the rich and elite. However, the fortunes and popularity of the hotel faded (along with the popularity of the surrounding once-thriving townships) when the local mine near it closed. And now it only opens for the occasional event -- the isolation of the hotel's Blue Mountains valley location blamed for the infrequency of those.
I pretty much liked all four of the mums. Of course, all four have issues they are attempting to hide from the world and, as the story moves along, the reader soon learns they all struggle to make sensible decisions in relation to their lives/issues. But it's not all a big soap opera. McCausland adds a mystery/thriller plotline when one of the women goes missing (which, obviously, causes the troubles of the other three to escalate to another level).
Besides the four mums, we also follow the plot of Jean, a resident of the town in the 40s. Although I found Jean a bit annoying at times, I was still intrigued enough to find out how her story, and also that of another woman who went missing from the hotel at the same time that Jean visited, would connect with the present.
The book had a very gothic feel to it. McCausland did a great job of making the hotel, and its staff, very creepy. Locked doors, ghosts, torrential rain causing roads to flood, no internet or phone coverage -- McCausland managed to up the chills pretty well. The vastness and remoteness of the Australian bush/landscape were also key factors in pulling off the 'in peril but isolated' trope too.
There were quite a few themes covered in amongst the thrills, such as domestic violence, alcoholism, adultery, bullying, homophobia, and Aboriginal genocide.
If I had a whine about the book, it would be that the ending felt a little rushed and some parts of it were summed up a little too fast. It wasn’t an information dump, per se, but it could have actually explained some of the plot points in a less condensed way, I thought. The climactic scenes could have been stretched out more. Perversely, I thought some of the scenes before the climax could have done with tighter editing/cutting.
Overall, though, I would recommend this book and it’s another solid start to my reading year. 4 out of 5
Four school mums decide to take a small holiday together, with their children but no husbands. McCausland uses the atmospheric setting of their holiday destination to great effect. They stay in a hotel which in its heyday of the 1940s was frequented by a clientele of the rich and elite. However, the fortunes and popularity of the hotel faded (along with the popularity of the surrounding once-thriving townships) when the local mine near it closed. And now it only opens for the occasional event -- the isolation of the hotel's Blue Mountains valley location blamed for the infrequency of those.
I pretty much liked all four of the mums. Of course, all four have issues they are attempting to hide from the world and, as the story moves along, the reader soon learns they all struggle to make sensible decisions in relation to their lives/issues. But it's not all a big soap opera. McCausland adds a mystery/thriller plotline when one of the women goes missing (which, obviously, causes the troubles of the other three to escalate to another level).
Besides the four mums, we also follow the plot of Jean, a resident of the town in the 40s. Although I found Jean a bit annoying at times, I was still intrigued enough to find out how her story, and also that of another woman who went missing from the hotel at the same time that Jean visited, would connect with the present.
The book had a very gothic feel to it. McCausland did a great job of making the hotel, and its staff, very creepy. Locked doors, ghosts, torrential rain causing roads to flood, no internet or phone coverage -- McCausland managed to up the chills pretty well. The vastness and remoteness of the Australian bush/landscape were also key factors in pulling off the 'in peril but isolated' trope too.
There were quite a few themes covered in amongst the thrills, such as domestic violence, alcoholism, adultery, bullying, homophobia, and Aboriginal genocide.
If I had a whine about the book, it would be that the ending felt a little rushed and some parts of it were summed up a little too fast. It wasn’t an information dump, per se, but it could have actually explained some of the plot points in a less condensed way, I thought. The climactic scenes could have been stretched out more. Perversely, I thought some of the scenes before the climax could have done with tighter editing/cutting.
Overall, though, I would recommend this book and it’s another solid start to my reading year. 4 out of 5
December 6, 2020
This really is big little lies meets picnic at hanging rock!!!
The dynamics of the school mums was perfectly captured. I completely felt the complexity of motherhood from the desire to ‘get in your car and not come back’ to the drudgery ‘scrambling to hold it all together’ to that fierce ‘heart ache’ ‘home smelling’ love.
It was so well done.
The novels hauntingly beautiful ghost town ‘the abandoned air of the township’ and the art deco hotel was so real I can’t wait to stay there, you know there are ‘so many stories lost, steeped into the valley’s soul’....
I loved the lost summers and I was afraid my expectations were too high but they were completely superseded, I think this is one I’ll be thinking about for a long time to come 🤩
The dynamics of the school mums was perfectly captured. I completely felt the complexity of motherhood from the desire to ‘get in your car and not come back’ to the drudgery ‘scrambling to hold it all together’ to that fierce ‘heart ache’ ‘home smelling’ love.
It was so well done.
The novels hauntingly beautiful ghost town ‘the abandoned air of the township’ and the art deco hotel was so real I can’t wait to stay there, you know there are ‘so many stories lost, steeped into the valley’s soul’....
I loved the lost summers and I was afraid my expectations were too high but they were completely superseded, I think this is one I’ll be thinking about for a long time to come 🤩
November 8, 2020
Not as good as her debut novel but ok. Seemed to drag a bit and then the ending felt rushed.
January 13, 2021
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4.5 stars
‘So many stories lost, steeped into the soil, into the valley’s soul.’
Haunting, resplendent, bewitching and intriguing, The Valley of Lost Stories is the second release from Australian writer Vanessa McCausland. A story bathed in mystery, speculation, convoluted secrets and shocking truths, The Valley of Lost Stories is a seducing tale from a storyteller I hold in high regard.
Vanessa McCausland introduces four women in the contemporary timeline of her second novel, as they embark on an unexpected trip to a remote location of the Blue Mountains. When the group arrive at Capertee Valley, they learn that the hotel in which they are staying is the only landmark remaining in the once busy mining town. It is also the site of the mysterious disappearance of a woman who went missing over seven decades ago. This baffling local mystery has never been solved and it seems to have left its mark on this struggling township. As the story gradually unfolds, we learn more about the four women who have come to stay at this Art Deco hotel and their individual struggles. As the holiday progresses, each guest must come face to face with their personal challenges and secrets. From marriage strains, to parenting issues and betrayals, this is a time of reckoning for the group. In a tragic turn of events, the present begins to echo the past when one woman from the group goes missing. Will Capertee Valley give up its dark truths and devastating secrets?
I was eager to immerse myself in the pages of Vanessa McCausland’s second novel, especially after I viewed the alluring front cover and intriguing blurb. The setting also appealed to me as I would dearly love to visit the Blue Mountains region. This stunning and eerie Australian landscape has been the inspiration for a number of stories I have enjoyed in the past, such as Picnic at Hanging Rock and Currawong Manor. I will be honest and say that it wasn’t until the first third of the book that I really developed a strong and lasting connection to this novel, which surprised me. However, the tale at hand managed to capture me completely from this point to the close of the novel.
The Valley of Lost Stories is told via the viewpoint of a number of narrators. McCausland’s second novel also carefully floats from contemporary times, to a past storyline set in 1948. I don’t have a problem with split style narratives or multiple narrators and this was the case with Vanessa McCausland’s latest release. McCausland deftly moves from the past to the present and she jumps from one head to another with ease. As a result, a full and varied picture develops of the events of this novel. McCausland devotes plenty of page time to setting her scene which allows the reader to become acquainted with each of the four women who come to Capertee Valley. Due to the strong focus on the lives of these women I found I was able to directly relate to their experiences, which are divulged as the story progresses. Many of these issues were authentic and realistic, allowing a sense of empathy to develop between the reader and the cast. This strong exploration of the issues plaguing the key protagonists of The Valley of Lost Stories provides Vanessa McCausland with the space to explore themes such as motherhood, parenting, marriage, relationships, desire, female friendships, jealousy, loss, abuse, trauma, depression and alcoholism. McCausland treats of these issues with an air of sensitivity and understanding.
The starring feature of The Valley of Lost Stories is undoubtedly the setting, which is shrouded in mystery and tension. Thanks to the generous and vibrant descriptions offered by this well-versed author, a refined portrait develops of this mystical locale. As I travelled along my journey with the women of The Valley of Lost Stories, I found myself imagining the thick bushland, dangerous cliffs, stunning local wildflowers and derelict mine quarters of this once thriving community. This tight and stretched atmosphere is where the historical thread plays out, as we learn of the baffling disappearance of a woman who went missing from the area in post war times. I really appreciated the way that McCausland handled this element of her novel. Likewise, the revelation of the devastating local Indigenous history, which was marred by violence, trauma and unforgivable acts sent shivers down my spine. All this culminates in a strong past to present style drama. The Valley of Lost Stories left a definite mark on my heart and mind.
Explore the dark secrets, trenchant history, contemporary struggles and overwhelming personal stories present in The Valley of Lost Stories by Vanessa McCausland. Whether you are a fan of mystery titles, historical fiction or contemporary tales, this one will appeal.
The Valley of Lost Stories is book #1 of the 2021 Australian Women Writers Challenge
4.5 stars
‘So many stories lost, steeped into the soil, into the valley’s soul.’
Haunting, resplendent, bewitching and intriguing, The Valley of Lost Stories is the second release from Australian writer Vanessa McCausland. A story bathed in mystery, speculation, convoluted secrets and shocking truths, The Valley of Lost Stories is a seducing tale from a storyteller I hold in high regard.
Vanessa McCausland introduces four women in the contemporary timeline of her second novel, as they embark on an unexpected trip to a remote location of the Blue Mountains. When the group arrive at Capertee Valley, they learn that the hotel in which they are staying is the only landmark remaining in the once busy mining town. It is also the site of the mysterious disappearance of a woman who went missing over seven decades ago. This baffling local mystery has never been solved and it seems to have left its mark on this struggling township. As the story gradually unfolds, we learn more about the four women who have come to stay at this Art Deco hotel and their individual struggles. As the holiday progresses, each guest must come face to face with their personal challenges and secrets. From marriage strains, to parenting issues and betrayals, this is a time of reckoning for the group. In a tragic turn of events, the present begins to echo the past when one woman from the group goes missing. Will Capertee Valley give up its dark truths and devastating secrets?
I was eager to immerse myself in the pages of Vanessa McCausland’s second novel, especially after I viewed the alluring front cover and intriguing blurb. The setting also appealed to me as I would dearly love to visit the Blue Mountains region. This stunning and eerie Australian landscape has been the inspiration for a number of stories I have enjoyed in the past, such as Picnic at Hanging Rock and Currawong Manor. I will be honest and say that it wasn’t until the first third of the book that I really developed a strong and lasting connection to this novel, which surprised me. However, the tale at hand managed to capture me completely from this point to the close of the novel.
The Valley of Lost Stories is told via the viewpoint of a number of narrators. McCausland’s second novel also carefully floats from contemporary times, to a past storyline set in 1948. I don’t have a problem with split style narratives or multiple narrators and this was the case with Vanessa McCausland’s latest release. McCausland deftly moves from the past to the present and she jumps from one head to another with ease. As a result, a full and varied picture develops of the events of this novel. McCausland devotes plenty of page time to setting her scene which allows the reader to become acquainted with each of the four women who come to Capertee Valley. Due to the strong focus on the lives of these women I found I was able to directly relate to their experiences, which are divulged as the story progresses. Many of these issues were authentic and realistic, allowing a sense of empathy to develop between the reader and the cast. This strong exploration of the issues plaguing the key protagonists of The Valley of Lost Stories provides Vanessa McCausland with the space to explore themes such as motherhood, parenting, marriage, relationships, desire, female friendships, jealousy, loss, abuse, trauma, depression and alcoholism. McCausland treats of these issues with an air of sensitivity and understanding.
The starring feature of The Valley of Lost Stories is undoubtedly the setting, which is shrouded in mystery and tension. Thanks to the generous and vibrant descriptions offered by this well-versed author, a refined portrait develops of this mystical locale. As I travelled along my journey with the women of The Valley of Lost Stories, I found myself imagining the thick bushland, dangerous cliffs, stunning local wildflowers and derelict mine quarters of this once thriving community. This tight and stretched atmosphere is where the historical thread plays out, as we learn of the baffling disappearance of a woman who went missing from the area in post war times. I really appreciated the way that McCausland handled this element of her novel. Likewise, the revelation of the devastating local Indigenous history, which was marred by violence, trauma and unforgivable acts sent shivers down my spine. All this culminates in a strong past to present style drama. The Valley of Lost Stories left a definite mark on my heart and mind.
Explore the dark secrets, trenchant history, contemporary struggles and overwhelming personal stories present in The Valley of Lost Stories by Vanessa McCausland. Whether you are a fan of mystery titles, historical fiction or contemporary tales, this one will appeal.
The Valley of Lost Stories is book #1 of the 2021 Australian Women Writers Challenge
October 24, 2020
Every mother of a school aged child can instantly relate (with unnerving familiarity at times!) to the dynamics between the four mum’s in Vanessa McCausland’s ‘The Valley of Lost Stories’. The reader almost becomes another character in this story - watching as unlikely friendships blossom, secrets are hidden and truths are revealed.
As these four mums embark on a much-needed escape to the Valley, they discover that their well-hidden problems can’t be left at home. As each are forced to look at their own insecurities and disappointments, they discover that their holiday destination comes with secrets and mystery’s of its own.
Vanessa has masterfully woven the complexities of motherhood, friendship and love in this gripping page turner. As the reader you are forced to reflect on your own relationships and insecurities, and see the women in this story with a renewed sense of compassion and empathy. The perfect holiday read that will have you on the edge of your seat till the end!!
Kate Morton’s ‘The Secret Keeper’ meets ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’ and a Liane Moriarty bestseller.
As these four mums embark on a much-needed escape to the Valley, they discover that their well-hidden problems can’t be left at home. As each are forced to look at their own insecurities and disappointments, they discover that their holiday destination comes with secrets and mystery’s of its own.
Vanessa has masterfully woven the complexities of motherhood, friendship and love in this gripping page turner. As the reader you are forced to reflect on your own relationships and insecurities, and see the women in this story with a renewed sense of compassion and empathy. The perfect holiday read that will have you on the edge of your seat till the end!!
Kate Morton’s ‘The Secret Keeper’ meets ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’ and a Liane Moriarty bestseller.
December 3, 2020
I read McCausland's The Lost Summers of Driftwood last year and enjoyed it though took umbrage at a couple of references to the fact a character in her late 30s must have felt like a failure because she didn't have a partner or child.
Her new novel similarly traverses women's fiction - a group of women and the problems in their lives with parenting, relationships and their identities - but with a little suspense thrown in.
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
Her new novel similarly traverses women's fiction - a group of women and the problems in their lives with parenting, relationships and their identities - but with a little suspense thrown in.
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
December 17, 2021
Thank you Harper Collins for sending us a copy to read and review.
A haunting mystery from the past resolves and history is about to repeat itself in this bewitching and alluring tale.
In 1948 a woman disappears.
Decades on and she still has never been found and the small town of Capertee Valley is creepy and chilling.
Four mothers and their children are invited to stay at the Art Deco hotel in the once busy district now it’s like a ghost town after the years old tragedy.
Each one has a secret and as the days pass they are all revealed.
But when one of the parents vanishes, the past and the present are about to collide.
From the very first page to the final sentence, I was hooked, intrigued and ultimately convinced.
After closing the book and reflecting, I was left feeling very contented and happy with the book I’ve just finished.
You can’t help but become engrossed in the drama and the atmosphere of the story.
Vanessa has definitely cemented her mark in the industry and will reign as a memorable storyteller.
An evocative, magical and exciting tale set in an eerie forgotten community with a rich detailed cast of characters brought to life in front of you and a plot that will stay with you long after completing.
From the enticing cover to the gorgeously written story inside, expect this book to be flying off the shelves when released.
A haunting mystery from the past resolves and history is about to repeat itself in this bewitching and alluring tale.
In 1948 a woman disappears.
Decades on and she still has never been found and the small town of Capertee Valley is creepy and chilling.
Four mothers and their children are invited to stay at the Art Deco hotel in the once busy district now it’s like a ghost town after the years old tragedy.
Each one has a secret and as the days pass they are all revealed.
But when one of the parents vanishes, the past and the present are about to collide.
From the very first page to the final sentence, I was hooked, intrigued and ultimately convinced.
After closing the book and reflecting, I was left feeling very contented and happy with the book I’ve just finished.
You can’t help but become engrossed in the drama and the atmosphere of the story.
Vanessa has definitely cemented her mark in the industry and will reign as a memorable storyteller.
An evocative, magical and exciting tale set in an eerie forgotten community with a rich detailed cast of characters brought to life in front of you and a plot that will stay with you long after completing.
From the enticing cover to the gorgeously written story inside, expect this book to be flying off the shelves when released.
January 19, 2021
I read and loved Vanessa’s first book, The Lost Summers of Driftwood, and was therefore full of anticipation to read her latest release. Here she has proven, yet again, that she is a skilful writer capable of creating true atmospheric stories with locations that will draw her readers in.
‘And don’t you feel it? There’s something about this place. This whole valley. After all, I'm not spiritual, but I don’t know ... I can’t really articulate it. I feel like anything could happen. I’m not sure if that’s good or bad, given I live such a boring life.’
Set in two timelines (which Vanessa handles seamlessly) a mystery slowly unfolds. This is a book with a number of themes. Foremost is the theme of friendship with the four women who go away, and tied into that of course, are the issues each of them face and how these are brought to the surface through their interactions. Whether it be parenting or marriage issues, Vanessa covers all bases with each of her Mums. I also very much enjoyed the second yet shorter narrative on Jean from the 1940s and her sad plight.
‘The dark cliffs loomed above her, a reminder of just how far they were from everything. There was no sound save the movement of leaves in the breeze and the occasional hoot of an owl. But she sensed the thrum of life under the inky blanket. She looked up. The sky was clear and star-strewn. There was a brightness to the night sky that you didn’t get in the city. It was like looking to the edge of the universe. Perspective. How tiny her worries. How small her
world. She took a deep breath. They really were in the middle of nowhere.’
Perhaps, however, the highlight of this book, which sets it apart from similar ones, is the true gothic feel Vanessa brings to it. The location itself is critical to the tale and when cleverly combined with key aspects, the reader has an old school gothic mystery in their hands. Locked doors, possible ghost sightings, no phone coverage, go hand in hand within this remote Australian bush refurbished hotel.
Whilst I did not find this as strong a read as Vanessa’s first book and parts of the mystery are somewhat easy to deduce, there is enough on offer through other aspects of the story with its subplots to keep the reader turning the pages. A little mystery in both a historical and contemporary context with a set of female mother/friend issues is quite an undertaking but Vanessa certainly pulls it off.
‘So many stories lost, steeped into the soil, into the valley’s soul.’
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.
‘And don’t you feel it? There’s something about this place. This whole valley. After all, I'm not spiritual, but I don’t know ... I can’t really articulate it. I feel like anything could happen. I’m not sure if that’s good or bad, given I live such a boring life.’
Set in two timelines (which Vanessa handles seamlessly) a mystery slowly unfolds. This is a book with a number of themes. Foremost is the theme of friendship with the four women who go away, and tied into that of course, are the issues each of them face and how these are brought to the surface through their interactions. Whether it be parenting or marriage issues, Vanessa covers all bases with each of her Mums. I also very much enjoyed the second yet shorter narrative on Jean from the 1940s and her sad plight.
‘The dark cliffs loomed above her, a reminder of just how far they were from everything. There was no sound save the movement of leaves in the breeze and the occasional hoot of an owl. But she sensed the thrum of life under the inky blanket. She looked up. The sky was clear and star-strewn. There was a brightness to the night sky that you didn’t get in the city. It was like looking to the edge of the universe. Perspective. How tiny her worries. How small her
world. She took a deep breath. They really were in the middle of nowhere.’
Perhaps, however, the highlight of this book, which sets it apart from similar ones, is the true gothic feel Vanessa brings to it. The location itself is critical to the tale and when cleverly combined with key aspects, the reader has an old school gothic mystery in their hands. Locked doors, possible ghost sightings, no phone coverage, go hand in hand within this remote Australian bush refurbished hotel.
Whilst I did not find this as strong a read as Vanessa’s first book and parts of the mystery are somewhat easy to deduce, there is enough on offer through other aspects of the story with its subplots to keep the reader turning the pages. A little mystery in both a historical and contemporary context with a set of female mother/friend issues is quite an undertaking but Vanessa certainly pulls it off.
‘So many stories lost, steeped into the soil, into the valley’s soul.’
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.
January 10, 2021
The Valley of Lost Stories is the second novel from Australian author Vanessa McCausland. I adored McCausland’s debut book, The Lost Summers of Driftwood and, I was lucky enough to interview her. In both books, McCausland has delved into the research aspect to present a sensitive story that stems from history. I enjoyed reading the author notes and was intrigued to learn that the setting, Capertree Valley in the Blue Mountain N.S.W, is a place, and that Clara Black and Jean Peters did mysteriously disappear there. The treatment of the local Indigenous people, the Wiradjuri, is also a part of Australia’s past. So, I had high hopes for this 2020 release. Once I found the time to immerse myself in the valley, I lost myself in the past and the present, in a world that no longer exists. McCausland takes readers back to 1948, to the story of Jean Peters. She alternates Jean’s story with that of Nathalie, Emmie, Pen and Alexandra, four women who come together through chance in the present time.
Struggling with daily life in a post WWII era, Jean Peters was a wife and mother. Living in Capertree Valley, she endured the harsh summer and winter conditions in poor conditions. Her husband Robert was a miner, working long hours, doing little more than eating and sleeping when he returned home. Jean was understandably lonely, seeking joy from her only child Liv and as a teacher, sharing her love of dance with the local children. When she unexpectedly meets the wealthy Magnus ‘at the grandest hotel west of the Blue Mountains’, Jean tries to recapture her youth. At thirty years old, her days of fame and passion are a distant memory but looks can be deceiving. Will Jean appreciate what she has before it is too late?
Over sixty years later four women with their many children embark on a holiday at the grand hotel run by Macie and Caleb. A hotel that is whimsical and old fashioned, enabling the children to play and explore. Macie was a very mysterious woman who I felt uneasy about from the moment I met her while Caleb was different to other men his age. He was an old soul who eschewed technology, preferring nature and his own company. A defunct prize and a need to escape their problems have lead Nathalie, Emmie, Pen and Alexandra to hotel in the middle of nowhere. Each woman needs this time away from civilisation for different reasons.
While Nathalie is beautiful and envied by others, she is struggling with three children and the fall out of a cheating husband. With an addiction Nathalie believes she has under control will she be able to resist a much younger man? Emmie too is married with one child but deeply years for another. Each month, Emmie feels that her body is letting down the family so, she is on the verge of giving up hope. Alexandra is married to a celebrity but has been secretly struggling with her sexuality for decades. When she recognises Macie from her high school days, the long awaited fallout was twisted yet inevitable. Pen is the single mother of the group. Her son Will is not the same as other children, bringing in a spiritual element and, Pen is worried that her feelings for him along with her parenting skills are inadequate.
While I enjoyed getting to know the four friends, I found the beginning of the story difficult to engage in. Essentially The Valley of Lost Stories is about motherhood and the set up was about the hardship of being a parent. As I’m not a parent, it was hard to connect with the characters. Books that use humour make it easier to form a connection. Other noteworthy themes included were friendship, marriage, the Indigenous culture, sexuality, the past and physical violence, coming together to create a part mystery, part historical fiction and part contemporary read.
Thanks to Harper Collins Australia for the opportunity to review this book.
Struggling with daily life in a post WWII era, Jean Peters was a wife and mother. Living in Capertree Valley, she endured the harsh summer and winter conditions in poor conditions. Her husband Robert was a miner, working long hours, doing little more than eating and sleeping when he returned home. Jean was understandably lonely, seeking joy from her only child Liv and as a teacher, sharing her love of dance with the local children. When she unexpectedly meets the wealthy Magnus ‘at the grandest hotel west of the Blue Mountains’, Jean tries to recapture her youth. At thirty years old, her days of fame and passion are a distant memory but looks can be deceiving. Will Jean appreciate what she has before it is too late?
Over sixty years later four women with their many children embark on a holiday at the grand hotel run by Macie and Caleb. A hotel that is whimsical and old fashioned, enabling the children to play and explore. Macie was a very mysterious woman who I felt uneasy about from the moment I met her while Caleb was different to other men his age. He was an old soul who eschewed technology, preferring nature and his own company. A defunct prize and a need to escape their problems have lead Nathalie, Emmie, Pen and Alexandra to hotel in the middle of nowhere. Each woman needs this time away from civilisation for different reasons.
While Nathalie is beautiful and envied by others, she is struggling with three children and the fall out of a cheating husband. With an addiction Nathalie believes she has under control will she be able to resist a much younger man? Emmie too is married with one child but deeply years for another. Each month, Emmie feels that her body is letting down the family so, she is on the verge of giving up hope. Alexandra is married to a celebrity but has been secretly struggling with her sexuality for decades. When she recognises Macie from her high school days, the long awaited fallout was twisted yet inevitable. Pen is the single mother of the group. Her son Will is not the same as other children, bringing in a spiritual element and, Pen is worried that her feelings for him along with her parenting skills are inadequate.
While I enjoyed getting to know the four friends, I found the beginning of the story difficult to engage in. Essentially The Valley of Lost Stories is about motherhood and the set up was about the hardship of being a parent. As I’m not a parent, it was hard to connect with the characters. Books that use humour make it easier to form a connection. Other noteworthy themes included were friendship, marriage, the Indigenous culture, sexuality, the past and physical violence, coming together to create a part mystery, part historical fiction and part contemporary read.
Thanks to Harper Collins Australia for the opportunity to review this book.
December 20, 2020
Vanessa Mclausand has created another wonderful story with a beautiful cover to match.
The Valley of Lost Stories is all about motherhood and while I couldn’t personally identify with the characters thoughts about motherhood (I’m not a mum yet!) I could certainly sympathise with their struggles and I think there will be a lot of Mums out there sipping their wine and reading this book going “I know that feeling!”
I loved the mystery and history in this book, it was this aspect I enjoyed most about the story. The images Vanessa’s words conjured in my mind of Capertee Valley were so vivid. I saw so clearly all the decrepit buildings of the abandoned mining town and the historic old hotel and how the area created such a spooky atmosphere for the characters. I read in the author’s notes that this is a real town and then instantly got lost down the google rabbit hole searching the place.
The Valley of Lost Stories is all about motherhood and while I couldn’t personally identify with the characters thoughts about motherhood (I’m not a mum yet!) I could certainly sympathise with their struggles and I think there will be a lot of Mums out there sipping their wine and reading this book going “I know that feeling!”
I loved the mystery and history in this book, it was this aspect I enjoyed most about the story. The images Vanessa’s words conjured in my mind of Capertee Valley were so vivid. I saw so clearly all the decrepit buildings of the abandoned mining town and the historic old hotel and how the area created such a spooky atmosphere for the characters. I read in the author’s notes that this is a real town and then instantly got lost down the google rabbit hole searching the place.
January 30, 2021
The Valley of Lost Stories is a wonderful, atmospheric story set in a ghost town over the Blue Mountains. Capertee Valley, once a thriving shale mining region now only houses a beautifully restored hotel, built in the 1930's. A group of school Mum's and their children venture into the Valley for a relaxing getaway from the hustle and bustle of Sydney. Things start out idyllic but then their perfect holiday together starts to unravel. I loved this book full of mystery and heartache and look forward to reading Vanessa McCausland's previous novel. With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital copy.
October 24, 2020
Who needs sleep? Forget sleeping until you finish this one - you know those books you start slowly, trying to savour the gorgeous writing but the plot gets under your skin and you just have to know what happens next, then the next next and so on? Next thing you know it's 4:30am so what can you do except just keep on reading? If you can, do yourself a favour and take your time, because as soon as I finished The Valley of Lost Stories I went back and re-read it, I wanted to linger more. Yet again McCausland hooked me in with her landscape descriptions, I'm there - in that landscape, letting the green of the leaves calm me, or I'm in a bar drinking too much (let's face it, that scene in the book is as close as any of us are likely to get to a frolic anytime soon). Personally I kept devouring the chapters trying to work out who I liked most, and then gulp, which mum was most like me (did anyone else do that? - I did it with The Weekend too).
It's confronting and cathartic to see female friendship and motherhood laid bare this way. I don't want spoil the plot, so I am going to step carefully here for now - but about time! Each reading of this novel I see the layers - how we are kind one day, and how we tear each other apart another. How we tear ourselves apart. McCausland doesn't judge women, she gently paints a picture of our highs and lows. Even the best of characters bitch behind a closed door. We see double standards, we see neediness dripping off our characters, but we also see loyalty, and care and kindness. But gosh - this thing called life is messy, and McCausland really captures that.
This novel operates in two times, and then many points of view. This is handled well, as a reader it didn't distract me, each change I went with willingly - immersed.
I'm not usually one for books turned into mini series - but this book would be incredible on the screen. It's such a visual feast, and the story is so compelling I think even non-readers deserve to experience this story.
I recommend this novel whole heartedly, it is curious, wise, authentic, thrilling, unexpected and beautiful.
It's confronting and cathartic to see female friendship and motherhood laid bare this way. I don't want spoil the plot, so I am going to step carefully here for now - but about time! Each reading of this novel I see the layers - how we are kind one day, and how we tear each other apart another. How we tear ourselves apart. McCausland doesn't judge women, she gently paints a picture of our highs and lows. Even the best of characters bitch behind a closed door. We see double standards, we see neediness dripping off our characters, but we also see loyalty, and care and kindness. But gosh - this thing called life is messy, and McCausland really captures that.
This novel operates in two times, and then many points of view. This is handled well, as a reader it didn't distract me, each change I went with willingly - immersed.
I'm not usually one for books turned into mini series - but this book would be incredible on the screen. It's such a visual feast, and the story is so compelling I think even non-readers deserve to experience this story.
I recommend this novel whole heartedly, it is curious, wise, authentic, thrilling, unexpected and beautiful.
October 25, 2020
I loved Vanessa's "The Lost Summers of Driftwood" so was intrigued to read this next addition, which has a darker edge to its plot but is similarly driven by realistic, complex characters and a powerful setting which is omnipresent and critical to the story.
As a mum, I found some aspects so bare and honest that it was confronting at times. Vanessa has captured the difficulties of motherhood and many obstacles that many women experience but are reluctant to voice. At the same time, she captures the importance of female friendship, which she poignantly describes as "a kind of organic community, a net that held everything together." There's a resemblance to Liane Moriarty at times, perhaps due to motherhood musings and the multiple narrative threads that weave and intertwine but the lyricism and the poetry that always underlines her prose distinguishes Vanessa's writing.
The real backbone of the novel is the flashbacks to the 1940s: the historical detail seems authentic, researched and the plot seamlessly moves between past and present, with the flashbacks to another era suggesting how the past can haunt and collide with the present. The landscape is authentically Australian: rich, majestic and haunting. Vanessa doesn't shy away from reminding us of the injustices of the Indigenous people and does so with great sensitivity.
In both times, there is an indelible weaving of women's stories: a rich tapestry of the shared joys, pains and struggles. The moral message that continues to arise through many characters is the reminder not to judge others; we all carry burdens and all struggle in different ways, despite what appearances might indicate.
A beautiful, powerful read that will no doubt be enjoyed by and will remain with all who read it.
As a mum, I found some aspects so bare and honest that it was confronting at times. Vanessa has captured the difficulties of motherhood and many obstacles that many women experience but are reluctant to voice. At the same time, she captures the importance of female friendship, which she poignantly describes as "a kind of organic community, a net that held everything together." There's a resemblance to Liane Moriarty at times, perhaps due to motherhood musings and the multiple narrative threads that weave and intertwine but the lyricism and the poetry that always underlines her prose distinguishes Vanessa's writing.
The real backbone of the novel is the flashbacks to the 1940s: the historical detail seems authentic, researched and the plot seamlessly moves between past and present, with the flashbacks to another era suggesting how the past can haunt and collide with the present. The landscape is authentically Australian: rich, majestic and haunting. Vanessa doesn't shy away from reminding us of the injustices of the Indigenous people and does so with great sensitivity.
In both times, there is an indelible weaving of women's stories: a rich tapestry of the shared joys, pains and struggles. The moral message that continues to arise through many characters is the reminder not to judge others; we all carry burdens and all struggle in different ways, despite what appearances might indicate.
A beautiful, powerful read that will no doubt be enjoyed by and will remain with all who read it.
October 14, 2020
This is the novel to read for the strange times we're in. Incredibly timely in an age where evaluating our friendships and the way we interact with others has never been more important. Beautifully haunting and not scared to confront the darker side of friendships between women, motherhood and relationships. I was drawn in from the very beginning and read the entire novel in one sitting.
Definite 5 stars. Further review to come.
Definite 5 stars. Further review to come.
October 17, 2020
This novel is such a good read. It's a compelling story, written with depth, beauty and sensitivity about essential topics like female friendships, and motherhood and our love for each other.
It is a real page-turner, often thrilling. The authorship beautifully captures the world around us, with many twists and turns leading to a very satisfying ending.
It is a real page-turner, often thrilling. The authorship beautifully captures the world around us, with many twists and turns leading to a very satisfying ending.
January 17, 2021
Really enjoyed it, another book I just couldn't put down. Always love discovering new authors, especially when they are Australian.
January 6, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this book it certainly kept me intrigued the whole way and I had trouble putting it down. Looking forward to reading more of this author in the future.
February 11, 2022
Well written. Not bloody behd story line. Bit too much character development for me
February 1, 2021
expected a light summer read; it was drivel - the story has the potential for more, which is the reason why I kept reading. Adjectives are great to better describe what's on the author's mind, but.not.constantly.
Most annoying the incessant use of '..., like ...' only to be replaced by '..., as though ...' made me actually shut the book at one stage and walk away - examples - four sentences in a row (chapter 31, Nathalie):
'Now they were watching cartoons, their little heads trained towards the small screen like starving saplings seeking sun. Outside the rain had stopped and night was creeping into the valley, like an animal shaking moisture from its back. The clouds were black and low, the edges tinged with yellow, like bruises, turning the air purple. There was an eerie silence outside and in, as though all the creatures were still in hiding from the storm.'
oh, and just two more...
'.... she felt the familiar resentment unfurl inside her like an animal wanting to be stroked.'
'.... her answer was pure instinct, like cold skin seeking sunshine.' [super cringe]
no, no, no, no, no
Most annoying the incessant use of '..., like ...' only to be replaced by '..., as though ...' made me actually shut the book at one stage and walk away - examples - four sentences in a row (chapter 31, Nathalie):
'Now they were watching cartoons, their little heads trained towards the small screen like starving saplings seeking sun. Outside the rain had stopped and night was creeping into the valley, like an animal shaking moisture from its back. The clouds were black and low, the edges tinged with yellow, like bruises, turning the air purple. There was an eerie silence outside and in, as though all the creatures were still in hiding from the storm.'
oh, and just two more...
'.... she felt the familiar resentment unfurl inside her like an animal wanting to be stroked.'
'.... her answer was pure instinct, like cold skin seeking sunshine.' [super cringe]
no, no, no, no, no
December 7, 2020
Really enjoyed this latest book from Vanessa McCausland, although it didn’t quite have quite the same intense feelings and sense of time and place, that the author’s first novel had for me, which I absolutely loved.
Nether the less it was still a great read of contemporary female friendships, even if they were in newly formed and although long past, I can remember the trials of young children and ‘keeping things together’ and my friendships that helped me through. I feel this book will be quite relatable to a lot of people.
With a little bit of mystery of two women vanishing from the valley over the last 70 years, a resident ghost and stories of an old town left to decline this kept my interest well. I loved the descriptions of the valley and surrounding area, including the old Art Deco Hotel, that on finishing the book I promptly Googled Capertree Valley, where the author based her story in.
It is now firmly on my ‘must visit’ and camp list.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read.
Nether the less it was still a great read of contemporary female friendships, even if they were in newly formed and although long past, I can remember the trials of young children and ‘keeping things together’ and my friendships that helped me through. I feel this book will be quite relatable to a lot of people.
With a little bit of mystery of two women vanishing from the valley over the last 70 years, a resident ghost and stories of an old town left to decline this kept my interest well. I loved the descriptions of the valley and surrounding area, including the old Art Deco Hotel, that on finishing the book I promptly Googled Capertree Valley, where the author based her story in.
It is now firmly on my ‘must visit’ and camp list.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read.
December 31, 2022
Wonderfully written. Vanessa weaves a collective of narratives of past and present, full of mystery and intrigue, paying respect to the Wiradjuri Peoples, who’s land the story takes part on, honouring the importance of truth telling and acknowledging their tragic past.
The Valley of Lost Stories delves into the strangers that dwell behind the mask mother’s put on in front of others. The stories we tell, secrets and imperfection we try and hide from those around us, our closest of friends, but mostly from ourselves. Sometimes secrets have a way of coming out, the stories need to be told and the masks need to be removed, even if we don’t like what we see underneath. McClausland reminds us that despite the choices we choice, the masks we hide behind, the secrecy we keep, or the mistakes we make, ‘none of us is perfect’.
Only downside was the hurried end that felt rushed in an attempt to wrap up all the stories in neat little packages. Still worth a read.
The Valley of Lost Stories delves into the strangers that dwell behind the mask mother’s put on in front of others. The stories we tell, secrets and imperfection we try and hide from those around us, our closest of friends, but mostly from ourselves. Sometimes secrets have a way of coming out, the stories need to be told and the masks need to be removed, even if we don’t like what we see underneath. McClausland reminds us that despite the choices we choice, the masks we hide behind, the secrecy we keep, or the mistakes we make, ‘none of us is perfect’.
Only downside was the hurried end that felt rushed in an attempt to wrap up all the stories in neat little packages. Still worth a read.
October 5, 2021
A wonderfully, intriguing and hypnotic page-turner. McCausland is a masterful storyteller with stunning use of imagery and prose. Characterisation is deep and realistic, the mystery at the heart of the story, compelling. Finished this in a short number of sittings and would have been quicker if not for life getting in the way.
February 8, 2021
I absolutely loved this book! It had all of the elements I enjoy most- alternating perspectives, complex characters, a dual timeline and an underlying mystery. I highly recommend!
January 21, 2021
Thank you to HarperCollins Australia for sending me a copy of this book.
When four women whose children go to school together win a holiday for a week in a luxurious beach house, each one cannot wait to escape from their current lives and have some downtime. When the beach house trip falls through, the women are disappointed but are saved by an acquaintance of Alexandra (one of the four friends) who has an old renovated Art Deco hotel in the Capertee Valley - in a remote and mostly abandoned mining town.
As the four women get to know each other better, each feels quite haunted by the valley and nothing there ever feels quite right, no matter how beautiful the surroundings and how hospitable their host is. When the women learn of at least one woman who disappeared from the area many years ago and the son of one of the women sees a ghost, tensions escalate and the relationships formed start to fracture as some shocking truths are uncovered.
The author is an excellent storyteller and creates a great deal of tension and unease that will keep you turning pages. Whilst the characters are not always likable, they are intriguing and will keep you invested in the story.
One thing I particularly enjoyed about the author’s first book was the great sense of place that you get from her words. I found this again throughout this book and could really visualize the beautiful old hotel and surrounding valley. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and found it hard to put down! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
When four women whose children go to school together win a holiday for a week in a luxurious beach house, each one cannot wait to escape from their current lives and have some downtime. When the beach house trip falls through, the women are disappointed but are saved by an acquaintance of Alexandra (one of the four friends) who has an old renovated Art Deco hotel in the Capertee Valley - in a remote and mostly abandoned mining town.
As the four women get to know each other better, each feels quite haunted by the valley and nothing there ever feels quite right, no matter how beautiful the surroundings and how hospitable their host is. When the women learn of at least one woman who disappeared from the area many years ago and the son of one of the women sees a ghost, tensions escalate and the relationships formed start to fracture as some shocking truths are uncovered.
The author is an excellent storyteller and creates a great deal of tension and unease that will keep you turning pages. Whilst the characters are not always likable, they are intriguing and will keep you invested in the story.
One thing I particularly enjoyed about the author’s first book was the great sense of place that you get from her words. I found this again throughout this book and could really visualize the beautiful old hotel and surrounding valley. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and found it hard to put down! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
November 27, 2020
The book took me a little to settle into as there were quite a few characters and each chapter was told from a different POV. But once we got there it was full steam ahead.
The story flips from the present with 4 mother who decide to take their children on a holiday. But weeks before they go away the house is damaged and they need to find a new place to go on a budget. They find an old referbed art deco hotel in a valley of the blue mountains and pack their bags for a good time.
The story also flicks to 1948 when a woman named Clara Black went missing during the night and was never seen again. She was staying at the hotel which was once booming due to the mining in the area. In the beginning I wasn’t sure what the connection was but slowly it all fell into place.
When one of the mothers vanishes without a trace everything goes haywire and secrets start slowing unfolding. One of the kids start acting strange and mysteries from years ago begin to unravel, the truth is the only way forward, No matter the cost. This was such a fun book. I adored that it was set in the blue mountains aka my back yard!
The story flips from the present with 4 mother who decide to take their children on a holiday. But weeks before they go away the house is damaged and they need to find a new place to go on a budget. They find an old referbed art deco hotel in a valley of the blue mountains and pack their bags for a good time.
The story also flicks to 1948 when a woman named Clara Black went missing during the night and was never seen again. She was staying at the hotel which was once booming due to the mining in the area. In the beginning I wasn’t sure what the connection was but slowly it all fell into place.
When one of the mothers vanishes without a trace everything goes haywire and secrets start slowing unfolding. One of the kids start acting strange and mysteries from years ago begin to unravel, the truth is the only way forward, No matter the cost. This was such a fun book. I adored that it was set in the blue mountains aka my back yard!
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