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Aussie Outback Medical #5
The Bush Telegraph
The heartwarming new medical rural romance from the bestselling author of The Desert Midwife.
'Small towns and gossip go together like trees and birds.'
It’s been more than ten years since Maddy Locke left Spinifex, the small outback town where she gave birth to her daughter, Bridget. Now she’s back to prove she’s got what it takes to run the medical centre and face the memories of that challenging time in her life. But everything’s changed – the old pub is gone, her new colleagues aren’t pleased to see her, and it’s drier and hotter than ever.
Station owner, Connor Fairhall, thought he’d left the drama behind in Sydney, but moving back to Spinifex with his rebellious son, Jayden, hasn’t been the fresh start he’d envisioned. His brother, Kyle, is drinking too much and the only bright spot on the horizon is meeting Nurse Maddy, who’s breathing new life into the weary town up the road, little by little.
Can Maddy ignore the rumours about Connor and risk her heart again? Or will the bush telegraph spread along the wire fences and stand in the way of trust?
From Australia’s renowned midwife and bestselling author of The Desert Midwife, The Bush Telegraph is a romantic drama about love, friendship, community and the joys and challenges of life in the outback.
'Small towns and gossip go together like trees and birds.'
It’s been more than ten years since Maddy Locke left Spinifex, the small outback town where she gave birth to her daughter, Bridget. Now she’s back to prove she’s got what it takes to run the medical centre and face the memories of that challenging time in her life. But everything’s changed – the old pub is gone, her new colleagues aren’t pleased to see her, and it’s drier and hotter than ever.
Station owner, Connor Fairhall, thought he’d left the drama behind in Sydney, but moving back to Spinifex with his rebellious son, Jayden, hasn’t been the fresh start he’d envisioned. His brother, Kyle, is drinking too much and the only bright spot on the horizon is meeting Nurse Maddy, who’s breathing new life into the weary town up the road, little by little.
Can Maddy ignore the rumours about Connor and risk her heart again? Or will the bush telegraph spread along the wire fences and stand in the way of trust?
From Australia’s renowned midwife and bestselling author of The Desert Midwife, The Bush Telegraph is a romantic drama about love, friendship, community and the joys and challenges of life in the outback.
384 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2020
70 people are currently reading
171 people want to read
About the author
Fiona McArthur
360 books195 followersFiona McArthur has worked as a midwife for thirty years. She is the clinical midwifery educator inner rural maternity unit and teaches emergency obstetric strategies while working with midwives and doctors from remote and isolated areas.
Fiona has written more than thirty romances, which have sold over two million copies in twelve languages. She has been a midwifery expert for Mother and Baby magazine and is the author of Aussie Midwives. She has also written the novels Red Sand Sunrise, The Homestead Girls and Heart of the Sky. She lives on a farm in northern New South Wales.
Fiona has written more than thirty romances, which have sold over two million copies in twelve languages. She has been a midwifery expert for Mother and Baby magazine and is the author of Aussie Midwives. She has also written the novels Red Sand Sunrise, The Homestead Girls and Heart of the Sky. She lives on a farm in northern New South Wales.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
September 2, 2020
As Maddy Locke and her eleven-year-old daughter Bridget neared the small town of Spinifex, Maddy wasn’t sure how Bridget would face this change. Lord Howe Island had been their home all Bridget’s life, but the loss of the matriarch in their lives saw Maddy applying for the position at the new health centre in Spinifex, a dusty, hot outback town in northern Queensland, and a place which held more than a few bad memories for her. But Maddy was determined, with the midwife and nursing qualifications she held, that she could do some good for the town.
Station owner, Connor Fairhall had only been in the area with his twelve-year-old son Jayden for a few months after they’d been notified that Connor’s mum was unwell. Connor had had dramas in Sydney before they left – his hope that things would improve seemed in vain, with Jayden rebelling at the loss of his friends and more. And with Connor’s brother Kyle drunk more often than not, and the rumours flowing through the bush telegraph, his disillusionment and anger was strong.
Maddy’s enjoyment of the busy role she found at the health centre; her contentment when a patient improved; even Bridget fitting in at the local school, found her wanting more for the town. Would the townsfolk agree with her ideas? Could Connor help with the improvements?
The Bush Telegraph by Aussie author Fiona McArthur is another thoroughly enjoyable medical rural romance, where I caught up with Douglas and Sienna, along with Alma and a now older and wiser Maddy from The Baby Doctor. I loved the burgeoning friendship between Jayden and Bridget; the two nurses, Phyllis and Rita, plus many of the older residents of the town. Maddy and Connor’s story was, at times, a tense, fast-paced and suspenseful journey. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Penguin Random House AU, and the author, for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Station owner, Connor Fairhall had only been in the area with his twelve-year-old son Jayden for a few months after they’d been notified that Connor’s mum was unwell. Connor had had dramas in Sydney before they left – his hope that things would improve seemed in vain, with Jayden rebelling at the loss of his friends and more. And with Connor’s brother Kyle drunk more often than not, and the rumours flowing through the bush telegraph, his disillusionment and anger was strong.
Maddy’s enjoyment of the busy role she found at the health centre; her contentment when a patient improved; even Bridget fitting in at the local school, found her wanting more for the town. Would the townsfolk agree with her ideas? Could Connor help with the improvements?
The Bush Telegraph by Aussie author Fiona McArthur is another thoroughly enjoyable medical rural romance, where I caught up with Douglas and Sienna, along with Alma and a now older and wiser Maddy from The Baby Doctor. I loved the burgeoning friendship between Jayden and Bridget; the two nurses, Phyllis and Rita, plus many of the older residents of the town. Maddy and Connor’s story was, at times, a tense, fast-paced and suspenseful journey. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Penguin Random House AU, and the author, for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
November 23, 2023
How cool for a novel to be set near Boulia (Land of the Min Min Light), now how often does that happen?! Hubby and I love this tiny outback town and genuinely enjoyed our stay there last year. The tourist info centre is stunning (sadly, the Min Min Encounter Show wasn’t operating as it had technical issues) however on the positive side the beautifully displayed souvenirs caught our eye and as one would expect we bought (soooo) many gorgeous souvenirs, we couldn’t go past the pub/The Australian Hotel Motel without grabbing a Crazy Camel Lager (heard it’s made of camel piss but had to try it anyway lmao), and we smiled and laughed at the antics of the camels at the famous Boulia Camel Races.
Anyway, now that I’ve given Boulia a good plug, lol, it’s onto the story of Maddy and Connor. They’re great characters and ones you’d love to have as friends, they are sweet, kind and helpful. The story has much drama which moves the story along at a cracking pace.
Listened to the audiobook on BorrowBox
Published by Penguin Random House Australia Audio
Read by Alex Williams, Nikki Shield, Taylor Fergusson
Duration: 10 hrs. 1.50x Speed
Anyway, now that I’ve given Boulia a good plug, lol, it’s onto the story of Maddy and Connor. They’re great characters and ones you’d love to have as friends, they are sweet, kind and helpful. The story has much drama which moves the story along at a cracking pace.
Listened to the audiobook on BorrowBox
Published by Penguin Random House Australia Audio
Read by Alex Williams, Nikki Shield, Taylor Fergusson
Duration: 10 hrs. 1.50x Speed
September 8, 2020
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
‘I’ll do it.’ Connor squeezed her arms above the elbows. ‘Then I’ll get the bush telegraph going. Organise some blokes to form a search party for when our copper gets here. There are plenty of men sleeping out the back of the pub and plenty who will come in from the surrounding stations. Everyone in town will look.’
With endorsements from leading rural fiction specialists Karly Lane and Rachael Johns, Fiona McArthur needs no introduction. An author who continues to make leaps and bounds in the rural romance and medical drama field, Fiona McArthur treats her readers to another wonderful tale. The Bush Telegraph takes a strong and critical gaze into the high pressured environment of outback medical care. It is a story filled with compelling characters, a strong plot and a magnificent bush backdrop. I thoroughly enjoyed my latest experience of Fiona McArthur’s writing.
Spinifex is the central locale of Fiona McArthur’s latest rural romance tale, with a health care spin. We meet Maddy, a woman who is faced with a difficult return back to the small outback town where she first had a family of her own. Maddy is back with her daughter Bridget in tow to make a real go of things in this outback locale. Despite the haunting memories that Maddy has of her past life in Spinifex, she is determined to make a difference in her new position in the local medical centre. But things don’t go quite so smoothly for Maddy. There are problems to overcome and difficult faces to confront. Coupled with the draining weather conditions, Maddy is about ready to give up. For the lead male character of this new tale from Fiona McArthur, Connor Fairhall is also struggling with life in Spinfex. This former Sydneysider is carving out a new life for himself as a station owner. But troubles on the family front, courtesy of his son Jayden and brother Kyle have placed a huge burden on Connor. When Maddy waltzes into Spinfex Connor is delighted, she seems like just the thing the town needs, along with Connor. However the power of town gossip, rumour and trust issues means that this nurse and station owner may never see a happy ending. The Bush Telegraph regales a story of emotion, companionship, solidarity, support and the setbacks of life in our regional areas of Australia, which comes with plenty of raw understanding of these challenges.
Fiona McArthur is a trusted author in the field of rural romance and contemporary drama fiction, with a medical flavour. McArthur is building a great collection of novels and I know she has worked hard to secure a solid fan base. I’m sure with every new book McArthur releases she earns another new set of fans. I am convinced that this will be the case with The Bush Telegraph. I really rated the combination of engaging but flawed characters, an inspiring setting and a solid plotline.
The Bush Telegraph features two very appealing leads in nurse Maddy and station owner Connor. These two really lead the charge in the novel. I enjoyed closely following their back stories and difficult pasts, as well as their respective present life challenges. I found both leads to be resilient, strong and tolerant! But the news isn’t all good with these two key protagonists, they each have their own down sides. They each have their own hang ups and reservations, which are revealed as the book progresses. Overall, I think Fiona McArthur did an excellent job with these two primary protagonists. Scaffolding Connor and Maddy are a whole host of supporting cast members. These side characters contribute well to the unfolding storyline and they also inject some essential character dynamics to the story arc. I applaud Fiona McArthur for her consistent characterisation.
Although The Bush Telegraph is billed as a rural romance, there are a number of darker themes underlying this novel. From the deficits in medical care in rural areas, work pressures, the lack of medical resources in remote Australia, community tensions, alcoholism, domestic abuse, care for the elderly, addiction, loss, family issues, teen angst and more, this is an engrossing glimpse into rural Australian life. Every step of the way, McArthur presents these issues with personal insight and sensitivity. Fiona McArthur is also acutely aware of the hard issues that are at stake in rural composites such as Spinifex, the focal community base of this novel. I found this aspect of the narrative to be enlightening, but also upsetting.
No Fiona McArthur novel would be complete without her signature focus on the hopeful aspects of romance that flourish in her outback locales. Despite the challenges faced by her leads, we are optimistic for a happy ending. The romance is definitely understated in The Bush Telegraph, it gently underscores the main subject focus on the trials and demands of bush living, with a special focus on the medical stumbling blocks.
Overall, it was yet another pleasant encounter with Fiona McArthur and her latest medical drama. The Bush Telegraph is a novel that we should sit under the stars and read with a warm blanket, I’m taking that solid advice from fellow rural fiction novelist Rachael Johns! I couldn’t agree more Rachael!
*I wish to thank Penguin Books Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
The Bush Telegraph is book #96 of the 2020 Australian Women Writers Challenge
‘I’ll do it.’ Connor squeezed her arms above the elbows. ‘Then I’ll get the bush telegraph going. Organise some blokes to form a search party for when our copper gets here. There are plenty of men sleeping out the back of the pub and plenty who will come in from the surrounding stations. Everyone in town will look.’
With endorsements from leading rural fiction specialists Karly Lane and Rachael Johns, Fiona McArthur needs no introduction. An author who continues to make leaps and bounds in the rural romance and medical drama field, Fiona McArthur treats her readers to another wonderful tale. The Bush Telegraph takes a strong and critical gaze into the high pressured environment of outback medical care. It is a story filled with compelling characters, a strong plot and a magnificent bush backdrop. I thoroughly enjoyed my latest experience of Fiona McArthur’s writing.
Spinifex is the central locale of Fiona McArthur’s latest rural romance tale, with a health care spin. We meet Maddy, a woman who is faced with a difficult return back to the small outback town where she first had a family of her own. Maddy is back with her daughter Bridget in tow to make a real go of things in this outback locale. Despite the haunting memories that Maddy has of her past life in Spinifex, she is determined to make a difference in her new position in the local medical centre. But things don’t go quite so smoothly for Maddy. There are problems to overcome and difficult faces to confront. Coupled with the draining weather conditions, Maddy is about ready to give up. For the lead male character of this new tale from Fiona McArthur, Connor Fairhall is also struggling with life in Spinfex. This former Sydneysider is carving out a new life for himself as a station owner. But troubles on the family front, courtesy of his son Jayden and brother Kyle have placed a huge burden on Connor. When Maddy waltzes into Spinfex Connor is delighted, she seems like just the thing the town needs, along with Connor. However the power of town gossip, rumour and trust issues means that this nurse and station owner may never see a happy ending. The Bush Telegraph regales a story of emotion, companionship, solidarity, support and the setbacks of life in our regional areas of Australia, which comes with plenty of raw understanding of these challenges.
Fiona McArthur is a trusted author in the field of rural romance and contemporary drama fiction, with a medical flavour. McArthur is building a great collection of novels and I know she has worked hard to secure a solid fan base. I’m sure with every new book McArthur releases she earns another new set of fans. I am convinced that this will be the case with The Bush Telegraph. I really rated the combination of engaging but flawed characters, an inspiring setting and a solid plotline.
The Bush Telegraph features two very appealing leads in nurse Maddy and station owner Connor. These two really lead the charge in the novel. I enjoyed closely following their back stories and difficult pasts, as well as their respective present life challenges. I found both leads to be resilient, strong and tolerant! But the news isn’t all good with these two key protagonists, they each have their own down sides. They each have their own hang ups and reservations, which are revealed as the book progresses. Overall, I think Fiona McArthur did an excellent job with these two primary protagonists. Scaffolding Connor and Maddy are a whole host of supporting cast members. These side characters contribute well to the unfolding storyline and they also inject some essential character dynamics to the story arc. I applaud Fiona McArthur for her consistent characterisation.
Although The Bush Telegraph is billed as a rural romance, there are a number of darker themes underlying this novel. From the deficits in medical care in rural areas, work pressures, the lack of medical resources in remote Australia, community tensions, alcoholism, domestic abuse, care for the elderly, addiction, loss, family issues, teen angst and more, this is an engrossing glimpse into rural Australian life. Every step of the way, McArthur presents these issues with personal insight and sensitivity. Fiona McArthur is also acutely aware of the hard issues that are at stake in rural composites such as Spinifex, the focal community base of this novel. I found this aspect of the narrative to be enlightening, but also upsetting.
No Fiona McArthur novel would be complete without her signature focus on the hopeful aspects of romance that flourish in her outback locales. Despite the challenges faced by her leads, we are optimistic for a happy ending. The romance is definitely understated in The Bush Telegraph, it gently underscores the main subject focus on the trials and demands of bush living, with a special focus on the medical stumbling blocks.
Overall, it was yet another pleasant encounter with Fiona McArthur and her latest medical drama. The Bush Telegraph is a novel that we should sit under the stars and read with a warm blanket, I’m taking that solid advice from fellow rural fiction novelist Rachael Johns! I couldn’t agree more Rachael!
*I wish to thank Penguin Books Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
The Bush Telegraph is book #96 of the 2020 Australian Women Writers Challenge
September 3, 2020
Relax and travel back to the bush town of Spinifex where a returning nurse and handsome farmer find romance when the heat soars.
It’s been ten long years since Maddie Locke has set foot in the small town where she gave birth to her daughter Bridget.
The medical centre has had a run of fleeting bosses and Maddie thinks she can change that and make it work.
Connor Fairhall has recently returned after a death brings him and his troubled son Jayden home, hoping to start over.
His brother Kyle is no help and he finds Kyle’s drinking is escalating.
When he meets new nurse Maddie he starts to see a bright future but will both of them trust their hearts or will the rumours get in the way?
A romantic drama with lots of medical action all against the beauty of the harsh remote outback.
A thoroughly enjoyable read that covers other issues besides romance, important social issues handled with compassion and sensitivity that flow naturally through the plot.
Fiona’s has a wonderful flair for making her characters like your best friends and neighbours, making them a part of your everyday life and you can’t help but feel so close to them and getting a bird’s eye view into their daily lives.
The struggles of the land and the remote medical care is always a pleasure and insightful to read, giving the reader more information and education about what really happens.
A pleasing addictive read and another delightful addition to Fiona’s catalogue.
September 9, 2020
Reader’s familiar with The Baby Doctor, will be delighted to discover Fiona McArthur’s The Bush Telegraph features Maddy Locke, the young woman who gave birth in an abandoned storefront while hiding from her abusive boyfriend, in this lively, heartwarming and absorbing rural romance novel.
Set eleven years later, Maddy and her daughter, Bridget, have returned to the small outback town of Spinifex where Maddy, who has since earned a host of nursing qualifications, is to manage the local medical centre. Hoping to banish the ghosts of her past, and make a life for herself and Bridget among the wide open spaces, Maddy is determined to rise to the challenge of providing quality health care to the region and support the revitalisation of the struggling remote community in the memory of her late adopted mother, and former town publican, Alma.
Romance is the last thing on Maddy’s mind, her trust in men having been eroded by her disastrous relationship with Bridget’s father, but meeting attractive station owner Connor Fairhall challenges that. Though wary of the single father who seems to be the subject of disturbing rumours, and whose son, Jayden, appears set on causing trouble, Connor proves to be an unexpected temptation for Maddy. I really liked the way in which McArthur developed the relationship between the two protagonists, particularly with respect to their backgrounds, and I thought their friendship blossomed into romance, with convincing chemistry, nicely.
While the romance is integral to the plot of The Bush Telegraph, McArthur explores several important themes and issues within the story. There are characters facing various problems including alcohol addiction, financial pressures, abandonment, domestic abuse, betrayal and grief. The community itself is showing signs of neglect, with struggling businesses, vacant storefronts, and a dwindling population.
The challenges of providing medical care in a remote location like Spinifex are made clear by McArthur as she details Maddy’s varied nursing tasks in the clinic, which include providing emergency treatment to a walk-in heart attack patient and a child in diabetic crisis, setting broken bones and stitching cuts, and caring for a woman in pre-term labour. Drawing on her own experience working in remote regions as a midwife, McArthur highlights the need for remote health workers to be well resourced and capable of handling a range of situations, the importance of back-up being available in an emergency, and most dramatically, what it means when the life in your hands is your own child’s. I was so affected by one incident involving Maddy providing life-saving treatment, I found myself wiping away a tear or two.
With its engaging characters, captivating drama, and heartfelt emotion, The Bush Telegraph is a wonderful read, sure to appeal to fans of the contemporary rural genre. I think it’s her best yet.
Set eleven years later, Maddy and her daughter, Bridget, have returned to the small outback town of Spinifex where Maddy, who has since earned a host of nursing qualifications, is to manage the local medical centre. Hoping to banish the ghosts of her past, and make a life for herself and Bridget among the wide open spaces, Maddy is determined to rise to the challenge of providing quality health care to the region and support the revitalisation of the struggling remote community in the memory of her late adopted mother, and former town publican, Alma.
Romance is the last thing on Maddy’s mind, her trust in men having been eroded by her disastrous relationship with Bridget’s father, but meeting attractive station owner Connor Fairhall challenges that. Though wary of the single father who seems to be the subject of disturbing rumours, and whose son, Jayden, appears set on causing trouble, Connor proves to be an unexpected temptation for Maddy. I really liked the way in which McArthur developed the relationship between the two protagonists, particularly with respect to their backgrounds, and I thought their friendship blossomed into romance, with convincing chemistry, nicely.
While the romance is integral to the plot of The Bush Telegraph, McArthur explores several important themes and issues within the story. There are characters facing various problems including alcohol addiction, financial pressures, abandonment, domestic abuse, betrayal and grief. The community itself is showing signs of neglect, with struggling businesses, vacant storefronts, and a dwindling population.
The challenges of providing medical care in a remote location like Spinifex are made clear by McArthur as she details Maddy’s varied nursing tasks in the clinic, which include providing emergency treatment to a walk-in heart attack patient and a child in diabetic crisis, setting broken bones and stitching cuts, and caring for a woman in pre-term labour. Drawing on her own experience working in remote regions as a midwife, McArthur highlights the need for remote health workers to be well resourced and capable of handling a range of situations, the importance of back-up being available in an emergency, and most dramatically, what it means when the life in your hands is your own child’s. I was so affected by one incident involving Maddy providing life-saving treatment, I found myself wiping away a tear or two.
With its engaging characters, captivating drama, and heartfelt emotion, The Bush Telegraph is a wonderful read, sure to appeal to fans of the contemporary rural genre. I think it’s her best yet.
September 19, 2020
I always look forward to a new Fiona McArthur book and there is a reason for that she writes stories that are heartfelt, beautiful, filled with emotion and they are about people that we could possibly know because are real and wonderful and they always have the best and awesome happy ever after’s that are sure to make any reader smile. I do hope you read this one and enjoy Maddie and Connor’s story as much as I did.
We first met Maddie in The Baby Doctor and I was so hoping that she would get her own story and now she has and it is eleven years since she and her baby daughter left Spinifex and Maddie needs to come back and let some memories go and prove that yes Maddie is strong enough to run the small medical centre in town.
There have been a lot of changes in Spinifex it seems hotter and her daughter Bridget is still not happy about moving here after living her life on Lord Howe Island with all of those beaches but none the less it is time to start afresh. The medical centre is so good, it is not good that the two nurses do not seem very happy to see Maddie but nothing will deter Maddie. Meeting station owner Connor has Maddie smiling he is one good looking man but love is not what Maddie is here for.
Connor Fairhall has not long returned to Spinifex he is a single father to twelve year old son Jayden he came to help his dying mother and made a promise to his brother Kyle, but Jayden is not happy being here, never fear Connor is sure that after six months he will be able to convince Jayden that living on a cattle station will work out for the best. Connor has he own problems that need to be sorted but when he meets the new nurse he is attracted her and she is adding so much happiness to Spinifex and working wonders with his son can he convince her to listen to her heart.
I loved this one from start to finish Maddie, what can I say she is strong and beautiful on the inside and out she is bringing so much joy and happiness to the people of Spinifex, the town is coming alive again, and Connor what he has been through has been really hard he is a strong man and a caring man willing to jump in and help whenever needed, but with the rumours running rife and the bush telegraph spreading these rumours can Maddie trust Connor and let her heart open up. This is a must read story absolutely beautiful and one that I highly recommend, thank you Fiona McArthur for another keeper.
Thank you to Penguin Random House for my copy to read
We first met Maddie in The Baby Doctor and I was so hoping that she would get her own story and now she has and it is eleven years since she and her baby daughter left Spinifex and Maddie needs to come back and let some memories go and prove that yes Maddie is strong enough to run the small medical centre in town.
There have been a lot of changes in Spinifex it seems hotter and her daughter Bridget is still not happy about moving here after living her life on Lord Howe Island with all of those beaches but none the less it is time to start afresh. The medical centre is so good, it is not good that the two nurses do not seem very happy to see Maddie but nothing will deter Maddie. Meeting station owner Connor has Maddie smiling he is one good looking man but love is not what Maddie is here for.
Connor Fairhall has not long returned to Spinifex he is a single father to twelve year old son Jayden he came to help his dying mother and made a promise to his brother Kyle, but Jayden is not happy being here, never fear Connor is sure that after six months he will be able to convince Jayden that living on a cattle station will work out for the best. Connor has he own problems that need to be sorted but when he meets the new nurse he is attracted her and she is adding so much happiness to Spinifex and working wonders with his son can he convince her to listen to her heart.
I loved this one from start to finish Maddie, what can I say she is strong and beautiful on the inside and out she is bringing so much joy and happiness to the people of Spinifex, the town is coming alive again, and Connor what he has been through has been really hard he is a strong man and a caring man willing to jump in and help whenever needed, but with the rumours running rife and the bush telegraph spreading these rumours can Maddie trust Connor and let her heart open up. This is a must read story absolutely beautiful and one that I highly recommend, thank you Fiona McArthur for another keeper.
Thank you to Penguin Random House for my copy to read
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September 22, 2020It’s a big call, but I think Fiona McArthur’s new novel – The Bush Telegraph – might just be my favourite romance novel of 2020. The outback Queensland setting, the strong leads, the perfect storm of conflicts and the all-round beautiful small-town vibe had me grinning (and also sobbing) my way through the pages. As a writer, I loved the shades of grey and moral dilemmas Fiona wove through the story and the excitement of a birth in the middle of the story. As a reader I was cheering for the down-at-heel community and adored the lovely nature of Maddy Locke, the rural nurse who returns to Spinifex to hunt down old demons, breathing life into the dusty outback setting with every step. The male lead Connor Fairhall was similarly endearing, and I learned a few new Queensland sayings (happy as a crow with fresh roadkill) and added terms like mesa (a flat outcrop of land in the outback) and bauhinia (a flowering tree) to my vocabulary. Thanks to Penguin for the review copy of this novel, The Bush Telegraph was released on September 1.
Fiona’s 33 years of ‘catching babies’ as a midwife have fuelled her writing, and with loads of experience in a small country hospital under her belt, readers know to expect a medical theme or two in her novels for Harlequin, Penguin and Tule. A proud grandmother of nine, Fiona also describes herself as a travel tragic in waiting, and social butterfly (also in waiting). She also has a soft spot for photography and nail art, and over 50 published books including non-fiction. Fiona can be found on social media and at www.fionamcarthurauthor.com
Full interview and review at https://www.mayalinnell.com/post/catc...
Fiona’s 33 years of ‘catching babies’ as a midwife have fuelled her writing, and with loads of experience in a small country hospital under her belt, readers know to expect a medical theme or two in her novels for Harlequin, Penguin and Tule. A proud grandmother of nine, Fiona also describes herself as a travel tragic in waiting, and social butterfly (also in waiting). She also has a soft spot for photography and nail art, and over 50 published books including non-fiction. Fiona can be found on social media and at www.fionamcarthurauthor.com
Full interview and review at https://www.mayalinnell.com/post/catc...
October 24, 2020
Well done Fiona McArthur another fabulous book that I thoroughly enjoyed.
January 25, 2022
A stunning setting, beautifully evoked, and characters that wind their way into your heart, this is a lovely read. I enjoyed hearing of this woman prepared to face up to her past in Spinefex, the place she ran from as a teenager. Maddy Locke is a lovely caring character and a committed nurse with vision for the town. Bridget, her daughter, is not happy about the move from Lord Howe Island to Outback Queensland, but is prepared to at least give it a try. Station owner Connor is having his own problems with his rebellious son Jayden, his brother Kyle and his excessive drinking and rumours that swirl around Connor. Will Maddy even want to know him when she hears them?
September 23, 2020
Madly and her daughter needed a change. More Maddy. However, Maddy felt the need to prove herself, but the towns people were never going to make Maddy feel like she needed to prove herself.
This book definitely is one that makes people look forward towards a new life, rather than returning to what their life was before.
This book definitely is one that makes people look forward towards a new life, rather than returning to what their life was before.
November 30, 2020
This book was a sweet and enjoyable rural romance. The characters were very likeable and relatable, and I enjoyed following the romantic storyline. McArthur brings the outback to life, and I felt like a part of the town of Spinifex while I was reading. The book also sensitively deals with other common issues facing small outback towns, such as drug and alcohol addiction and the lack of medical care.
The first half was quite slow, however the pace picked up towards the end. Overall, I enjoyed it as a nice, sweet romance, and I’d recommend this one to anyone in the mood for a rural romance.
The first half was quite slow, however the pace picked up towards the end. Overall, I enjoyed it as a nice, sweet romance, and I’d recommend this one to anyone in the mood for a rural romance.
September 21, 2020
I wanted to keep reading it once I started. Fiona’s descriptions of the area made it easy to imagine the challenges Maddy was facing both present and past. Another great book Fiona. Looking forward to the next one.
August 30, 2020
Review to come 5/9/20
August 30, 2020
Loved this hope the story continues
September 9, 2020
If you’ve read Fiona McArthur’s The Baby Doctor then you may recognise Maddy here. Over 10 years ago, Maddy left Spinifex in outback Queensland and has raised her daughter Bridget mostly between Lord Howe Island, off the coast of New South Wales, and Sydney. However opportunity sees Maddy return to Spinifex as a way to almost redeem herself after everything that went wrong the first time she was living there. Now she’ll be running the medical centre but already things are not looking as positive as she might’ve hoped – her daughter Bridget has not fallen in love with the changed landscape. She’s used to the lush tropical beauty and sea breezes of Lord Howe and Spinifex, with its lack of trees and red, dusty land as far as the eye can see, is not an adequate substitute. Also Maddy’s new coworkers were hoping for one thing but getting Maddy was definitely not it and one of them in particular is quite combative to her presence.
I enjoyed every single thing about this book. I really enjoyed Maddy’s journey back to Spinifex, a place that doesn’t hold a lot of positive memories for her and one that she feels she needs to revisit. As a nurse, she wants to work in remote communities and Spinifex is the first step in that. It’s many hours from pretty much everywhere (five or six to Mount Isa I think) and she’s taking her 11yo daughter along for the ride, who isn’t really all that enthusiastic about it. On her first day she meets single dad Connor, who has a son similar in age to Maddy’s daughter Bridget. Connor and his son have also only been in the area a short amount of time – Connor grew up there but his son Jayden has spent very little time there and deeply resents being there. To Connor’s dismay, he’s spending far too much time with Connor’s brother Kyle, who is hitting the bottle way too hard these days.
Both Maddy and Connor have similar single parent issues that they can bond over, although Connor’s are more serious than Maddy’s. Jayden is definitely being influenced by his uncle in some very negative ways and Maddy provides not only a sounding board but also a fresh voice, some suggestions of ways to maybe help strengthen and repair his bond with Jayden. Connor and Maddy build a really nice friendship (with the simmer of something more just under the surface) but given her history, Maddy is very wary. And there are some rumours circling about Connor that definitely make her feel as though she needs to tread carefully, lest she make the same mistake a second time.
Fiona McArthur is a nurse by profession (midwife) and she always incorporates a lot of medical procedures, routines and information into her books and this one is no exception. Maddy deals with a lot of different things at the clinic from the seriousness of a cardiac arrest to prenatal check ups to the standard assessment and treatment of suspected broken limbs. Everything is woven into the story in such seamless ways, a natural progression of the character’s medical qualifications combined with the reality of rural living. Maddy faces several dangerous scenarios here and for the most part she’s a calm, steady professional but it’s the last medical emergency that tested her in every single way possible and for me, it was that part of the story that pushed this book from very enjoyable into absolutely amazing. The way in which the tension escalated and the danger was described, the urgency of the situation was all so excellently conveyed and it had me totally gripped.
I loved this book, it was so perfect for the sort of reads I’m just craving at the moment. It’s feel good but with a seriousness throughout the plot that means you’re invested in the characters and their outcomes. I enjoyed revisiting the town of Spinifex and appreciated some of the complexities of living in such a small, outback town with quite punishing weather. I really also enjoyed the exploration of Bridget and Jayden, their feelings about their separate moves to Spinifex and in particular, Jayden’s complex and mixed up feelings about his dad and how and why Connor is a single parent. I found the situation with Kyle and Belle intriguing as well – Kyle had his problems and had made a lot of very wrong choices but he had redeeming features.
Highly recommend this.
***A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of an honest review***
I enjoyed every single thing about this book. I really enjoyed Maddy’s journey back to Spinifex, a place that doesn’t hold a lot of positive memories for her and one that she feels she needs to revisit. As a nurse, she wants to work in remote communities and Spinifex is the first step in that. It’s many hours from pretty much everywhere (five or six to Mount Isa I think) and she’s taking her 11yo daughter along for the ride, who isn’t really all that enthusiastic about it. On her first day she meets single dad Connor, who has a son similar in age to Maddy’s daughter Bridget. Connor and his son have also only been in the area a short amount of time – Connor grew up there but his son Jayden has spent very little time there and deeply resents being there. To Connor’s dismay, he’s spending far too much time with Connor’s brother Kyle, who is hitting the bottle way too hard these days.
Both Maddy and Connor have similar single parent issues that they can bond over, although Connor’s are more serious than Maddy’s. Jayden is definitely being influenced by his uncle in some very negative ways and Maddy provides not only a sounding board but also a fresh voice, some suggestions of ways to maybe help strengthen and repair his bond with Jayden. Connor and Maddy build a really nice friendship (with the simmer of something more just under the surface) but given her history, Maddy is very wary. And there are some rumours circling about Connor that definitely make her feel as though she needs to tread carefully, lest she make the same mistake a second time.
Fiona McArthur is a nurse by profession (midwife) and she always incorporates a lot of medical procedures, routines and information into her books and this one is no exception. Maddy deals with a lot of different things at the clinic from the seriousness of a cardiac arrest to prenatal check ups to the standard assessment and treatment of suspected broken limbs. Everything is woven into the story in such seamless ways, a natural progression of the character’s medical qualifications combined with the reality of rural living. Maddy faces several dangerous scenarios here and for the most part she’s a calm, steady professional but it’s the last medical emergency that tested her in every single way possible and for me, it was that part of the story that pushed this book from very enjoyable into absolutely amazing. The way in which the tension escalated and the danger was described, the urgency of the situation was all so excellently conveyed and it had me totally gripped.
I loved this book, it was so perfect for the sort of reads I’m just craving at the moment. It’s feel good but with a seriousness throughout the plot that means you’re invested in the characters and their outcomes. I enjoyed revisiting the town of Spinifex and appreciated some of the complexities of living in such a small, outback town with quite punishing weather. I really also enjoyed the exploration of Bridget and Jayden, their feelings about their separate moves to Spinifex and in particular, Jayden’s complex and mixed up feelings about his dad and how and why Connor is a single parent. I found the situation with Kyle and Belle intriguing as well – Kyle had his problems and had made a lot of very wrong choices but he had redeeming features.
Highly recommend this.
***A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of an honest review***
November 8, 2020
The Bush Telegraph is the latest medical romance from author Fiona McArthur. This was my first book by the Aussie writer thanks to Rachael Johns online book club choosing it as the October read. While it may have been a sequel to The Baby Doctor, I was pleased that it could be read as a stand-alone. Using multiple points of views, the main protagonist was Maddy Locke and the secondary characters Bridget Locke, Connor Fairhall and Phyllis. McArthur has poured her heart and soul into these multidimensional characters who lived in Spinifex Queensland, showcasing her experience as a midwife and work with teenagers. I enjoyed living in Spinifex for a short time. McArthur provided honest insight into rural life, highlighting the contemporary issues such as the drought effects. Through all the adversity, I felt a strong sense of community.
Maddy stole my heart from the start. Working as a nurse in a close-knit community on Lord Howe Island, she was a single mother to twelve year old Bridget. However, Maddy was unable to let go of her past. A past where she gave birth to Bridget in a town called Spinifex, leaving immediately afterwards. Now over a decade later, Maddy wants to prove herself to the locals. I was unsure as to why Maddy had left it so long as many things would have changed in that period of time. Making a stand would have had more impact sooner rather than later. Taking a reluctant Bridget with her, Maddy leaves the tropics for a run down country town with a population of less than three hundred. With her positive manner, Maddy sees a place that could be returned to its former glory for everyone, including Bridget.
Bridget was a lovely girl on the cusp of becoming a teenager. Maddy had done an excellent job of raising Bridget as she was able to get along with everyone. The young, the elderly, age was not a barrier for Bridget. While Bridget was dragging her feet about moving, she quickly came around to living in a new place. The only issue I had was that McArthur either needed to include more of her perspective as it was sporadic or take it out altogether. My feelings were the same regarding Phyllis. Phyllis was a mature woman who provided the local perspective. A widow who lived with her good friend Rita, Phyllis’s greatest fear comes true. I would have liked to have gotten this cynical and jaded lady who still enjoyed admiring the local males, including Connor.
Maddy and Connor had a lot in common. Like Maddy, Connor was returning to Spinifex with a child, his twelve year old son Jayden. Leaving a tumultuous wife behind in Sydney, Connor soon learns that there are more issues to deal with in his hometown. An alcoholic brother and a pregnant sister in law are just the start. Connor was a smart man and knew that he had much to learn. I loved that Connor was able to admit to his inadequacies and asked for help. Connor took the advice of others onboard and worked hard, especially when it came to raising Jayden. With so much drama in his life, Connor wasn’t looking for love but, there were instant sparks when he met Maddy. Will the pair be able to let go of the past and look forward to a future together?
With themes of farming, alcoholism, homelessness, domestic violence, nursing and more, this is the perfect read for fans of old and new.
Maddy stole my heart from the start. Working as a nurse in a close-knit community on Lord Howe Island, she was a single mother to twelve year old Bridget. However, Maddy was unable to let go of her past. A past where she gave birth to Bridget in a town called Spinifex, leaving immediately afterwards. Now over a decade later, Maddy wants to prove herself to the locals. I was unsure as to why Maddy had left it so long as many things would have changed in that period of time. Making a stand would have had more impact sooner rather than later. Taking a reluctant Bridget with her, Maddy leaves the tropics for a run down country town with a population of less than three hundred. With her positive manner, Maddy sees a place that could be returned to its former glory for everyone, including Bridget.
Bridget was a lovely girl on the cusp of becoming a teenager. Maddy had done an excellent job of raising Bridget as she was able to get along with everyone. The young, the elderly, age was not a barrier for Bridget. While Bridget was dragging her feet about moving, she quickly came around to living in a new place. The only issue I had was that McArthur either needed to include more of her perspective as it was sporadic or take it out altogether. My feelings were the same regarding Phyllis. Phyllis was a mature woman who provided the local perspective. A widow who lived with her good friend Rita, Phyllis’s greatest fear comes true. I would have liked to have gotten this cynical and jaded lady who still enjoyed admiring the local males, including Connor.
Maddy and Connor had a lot in common. Like Maddy, Connor was returning to Spinifex with a child, his twelve year old son Jayden. Leaving a tumultuous wife behind in Sydney, Connor soon learns that there are more issues to deal with in his hometown. An alcoholic brother and a pregnant sister in law are just the start. Connor was a smart man and knew that he had much to learn. I loved that Connor was able to admit to his inadequacies and asked for help. Connor took the advice of others onboard and worked hard, especially when it came to raising Jayden. With so much drama in his life, Connor wasn’t looking for love but, there were instant sparks when he met Maddy. Will the pair be able to let go of the past and look forward to a future together?
With themes of farming, alcoholism, homelessness, domestic violence, nursing and more, this is the perfect read for fans of old and new.
October 26, 2020
Maddy Locke returns back Spinifex the small outback town where she gave birth to her daughter Bridget to run the local medical centre. It has been ten years since she was there and lot has changed in the town it is dryer, hot and Phillyis and Rita her new colleagues are not too happy with her arrival. On the way in Bridget learns about the min min light and became interested in finding it.
Maddy has her own secret of her past she left the town after her abusive husband burnt down the pub and was killed. Maddy has come back to lay her past to rest and move on.
Conner Fairhall moved back from Sydney earlier to run the family station farm and look after his dying mum with his young son Jayden he thought his past drama was long gone of divorcing his wife and rumour mill of what was believed to have done.
Maddy takes of caring for the people in the small town and wanting help bring more people to Spinifex. She meets Belle Conner sister in law who is pregnant and brother Kylie who is an alcoholic, Mrs Cook, Tim and his dad.
Maddy finds herself helping also Conner son Jayden stay on the right track. Maddy finds herself learning to give a bit of herself to have chance at falling in love with Conner and Conner the same.
Maddy has her own secret of her past she left the town after her abusive husband burnt down the pub and was killed. Maddy has come back to lay her past to rest and move on.
Conner Fairhall moved back from Sydney earlier to run the family station farm and look after his dying mum with his young son Jayden he thought his past drama was long gone of divorcing his wife and rumour mill of what was believed to have done.
Maddy takes of caring for the people in the small town and wanting help bring more people to Spinifex. She meets Belle Conner sister in law who is pregnant and brother Kylie who is an alcoholic, Mrs Cook, Tim and his dad.
Maddy finds herself helping also Conner son Jayden stay on the right track. Maddy finds herself learning to give a bit of herself to have chance at falling in love with Conner and Conner the same.
August 14, 2021
I loved reading Fiona McArthur's 'The Bush Telegraph'!
An epic tale featuring the small Outback town of Spinifex and its dire situation. The town of Spinifex is dying - drought and no medical services, is just a few of the town's problems.
In this honestly written story of what affects so many of the rural, far-flung communities of the Australian Outback, comes hope, strength and courage. Maybe there's even a chance of love...
Maddy left Spinifex all those years ago, what makes Maddy and her young daughter return to this desolate town that appears hopeless?
Connor's life is upended after an ugly divorce and returns to Spinifex as his mother dies and his brother, Kyle, turns to the bottle for answers. Connor's young son is left to his own devices while Connor tries to keep things afloat. When things start to go miserably wrong Connor blames himself. What else can a man do when everyone thinks the worse of you in anyways?
With so many medical emergencies to deal with Maddy has her hands full while Connor tries to mend his broken relationship with his son and help save his brother.
Can Maddy and Connor see eye-to-eye and help rebuild the town? Can Connor move on from his past and be the man that Maddy can rely on? Who can save the day when Maddy's world crumbles?
An epic tale featuring the small Outback town of Spinifex and its dire situation. The town of Spinifex is dying - drought and no medical services, is just a few of the town's problems.
In this honestly written story of what affects so many of the rural, far-flung communities of the Australian Outback, comes hope, strength and courage. Maybe there's even a chance of love...
Maddy left Spinifex all those years ago, what makes Maddy and her young daughter return to this desolate town that appears hopeless?
Connor's life is upended after an ugly divorce and returns to Spinifex as his mother dies and his brother, Kyle, turns to the bottle for answers. Connor's young son is left to his own devices while Connor tries to keep things afloat. When things start to go miserably wrong Connor blames himself. What else can a man do when everyone thinks the worse of you in anyways?
With so many medical emergencies to deal with Maddy has her hands full while Connor tries to mend his broken relationship with his son and help save his brother.
Can Maddy and Connor see eye-to-eye and help rebuild the town? Can Connor move on from his past and be the man that Maddy can rely on? Who can save the day when Maddy's world crumbles?
March 6, 2021
The Bush Telegraph follows Maddy, a nurse practitioner who left the small outback town of Spinifex behind her soon after her daughter was born and her abusive fiance was killed in a gunfight with police. Moving back over a decade later, she's determined to show her daughter, Bridget why this town means so much to her. Our other main protagonist is Connor, the station owner who returned home with his rebellious son, Jayden when his mother became terminally ill. He's looking to leave the drama of Sydney behind him and start afresh. The book follows the two as they navigate life - and love - in the outback, alongside a community of friendly faces.
So, I liked this book. Connor and Maddy were interesting characters and enjoyed reading about their slow-burn romance. I also haven't read many books set in outback Australia, so I appreciated the different setting & reading about real-life towns and organisations like the Flying Doctor. However, one thing I didn't like was Maddy's narrator's male voice - it was annoying. Meanwhile, the male narrator who did Connor's chapters was great.
So, I liked this book. Connor and Maddy were interesting characters and enjoyed reading about their slow-burn romance. I also haven't read many books set in outback Australia, so I appreciated the different setting & reading about real-life towns and organisations like the Flying Doctor. However, one thing I didn't like was Maddy's narrator's male voice - it was annoying. Meanwhile, the male narrator who did Connor's chapters was great.
November 2, 2020
Maddy Locke left Spinifex, a small outback town, 10 years ago and she returns with her daughter, Bridget to run the medical centre. Maddy is determined to make her new job work but her colleagues aren't pleased to see her and it’s drier and hotter than ever. Station owner, Connor Fairhall, thought he’d left the drama behind in Sydney but moving back to Spinifex with his rebellious son, Jayden, hasn’t been the fresh start he’d envisioned. Meeting Nurse Maddy could be the change he needs but can Maddy ignore the rumours and risk her heart again?!
I love reading about rural living and nursing as I find it interesting about the different medical dramas in a rural town. Anything can happen on any day and the nurses have to be prepared with limited resources on hand. The characters warmed my heart and I fell in love with Spinifex. Fiona’s writing has a way of hooking you in and makes you feel all cosy inside. 5 🌟
I love reading about rural living and nursing as I find it interesting about the different medical dramas in a rural town. Anything can happen on any day and the nurses have to be prepared with limited resources on hand. The characters warmed my heart and I fell in love with Spinifex. Fiona’s writing has a way of hooking you in and makes you feel all cosy inside. 5 🌟
January 8, 2021
Maddy Locke fled from Spinifex over 10 years ago with her newborn daughter and is returning to head up the medical centre, and to try and rejuvenate life back into the dying town.
Connor Fairhall is back on the family station after returning from Sydney to look after his failing mother to her deathbed. He hoped it would be a new start for himself and his handful of a son, Jayden.
Connor's brother Kyle is drinking too much and his wife is soon due to have her baby. Kyle is also being a bad influence on Jayden.
Sparks fly between Maddy and Connor, but rumours on the old Bush Telegraph around town have Maddy taking a back step.
A really well put together story with characters full of depth and life.
Connor Fairhall is back on the family station after returning from Sydney to look after his failing mother to her deathbed. He hoped it would be a new start for himself and his handful of a son, Jayden.
Connor's brother Kyle is drinking too much and his wife is soon due to have her baby. Kyle is also being a bad influence on Jayden.
Sparks fly between Maddy and Connor, but rumours on the old Bush Telegraph around town have Maddy taking a back step.
A really well put together story with characters full of depth and life.
September 12, 2020
You don’t need to read The Baby Doctor to get the backstory for Maddy but it will give you insight into the local town and her daughter Bridget’s arrival.
Was a great book just what I needed after a hospital stay. A great story about new chances to make first impressions and not believing everything you hear on the “bush telegraph” (although it does come in handy when you need it). Another great book from Fiona (and her good endings) and look forward to reading more.
Was a great book just what I needed after a hospital stay. A great story about new chances to make first impressions and not believing everything you hear on the “bush telegraph” (although it does come in handy when you need it). Another great book from Fiona (and her good endings) and look forward to reading more.
December 31, 2020
Maddy is a breath of fresh air for the town, breathing new life into the town. I loved her character, she comes across as a positive influence and a wonderful person to be around. The characters throughout the book were just delightful, there was such a sense of community, one I’d be happy to be apart of. But of course, like in all small towns there are your troublemakers, but when a crisis hits, everyone rallies around and helps out however they can.
I can’t believe this was the first book by Fiona McArthur I have read, I dare say it wont be the last!
I can’t believe this was the first book by Fiona McArthur I have read, I dare say it wont be the last!
October 1, 2020
A gorgeous story! This one is perfect for anyone who loves rural and medical fiction. Maddie arrives in the dying outback Queensland town of Spinifex as nurse practitioner, bringing much needed medical care to this community. The medical scenes were fun, interesting, and fast paced (especially the ending!). Connor is a single dad having a hard time with his twelve year old son. But Maddie also wields her magic on Connor and Jayden. Of course, we have a happily ever after for everyone.
September 14, 2020
An enthralling story set in outback Queensland near the town of Winton. The landscape was vividly described showing the reader a whole new aspect of Australian countryside. There are medical emergencies, bullying, domestic violence, rescuing a small town from slowly decaying but above all hope for the future and romance to captivate the reader.
October 20, 2020
I really enjoyed this story and the characters you meet as they share their viewpoint in each chapter. I always know it's going to be a great book when I struggle to put it down and I ended up reading this book in just a few hours. Highly recommended
August 6, 2021
This was a wonderful story about second chances. Great setting in the Australian outback. There are some deep themes explored here, domestic violence, alcoholism and rural decay. However, this is an optimistic novel and a very enjoyable read.
January 30, 2024
excellent
Great characters, some from that last book, lots of new ones, mostly wonderful. The relationships are fun to read, lots of medical stuff. A bit of heartbreak, have tissues handy! Not too many tears, so I’m off to book 6!
Great characters, some from that last book, lots of new ones, mostly wonderful. The relationships are fun to read, lots of medical stuff. A bit of heartbreak, have tissues handy! Not too many tears, so I’m off to book 6!
September 13, 2020
An enjoyable read. It showed the true outback of Australia.
September 14, 2020
A heart-warming read about love, friendship and community.
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