Conviction: A privileged young woman from the Highlands of Scotland is transported to a penal settlement in Australia in 1797.

by Carmel McMurdo Audsley

A privileged young woman from the Highlands of Scotland is transported to a penal settlement in Australia in 1797.
She must survive in a hostile land that is both primitive and class conscious. She holds on to the hope that she will one day return to her homeland where she will face her tyrranical father - and reveal a dark secret.

Genres: Historical Fiction

324 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 3, 2022

Reviews

[Amanda Sheridan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read and thoroughly enjoyed other books by Carmel McMurdo Audsley and this one was no exception.
Set it 1797, Conviction is the story of eighteen-year-old Elizabeth (Bess) Sinclair from Scotland, and only daughter of the Laird Sinclair.
While is London, she is wrongly arrested for theft and is sentenced to transportation to the new colony of Australia.
Luckily for Bess her education and her obvious standing in life is realised, and she secures a job teaching the children of the British colonists.
Her life is harsh, and having an illegitimate half-caste child doesn’t help matters. But Bess is from the Highlands of Scotland and she is a strong woman, and she resolves to make a life in Australia for her and her son, and at the same time find a way to get home again.
The historical aspects of this book have been well-written, and the character of Bess is that of a woman determined to make her way in a world where women are nothing more than possessions. I applaud the author for tackling the topic of racism and the awful treatment of the indigenous people of Australia.
I live in Northern Ireland and I spent a lot of time in SW Scotland so I especially enjoyed Audsley’s excellent use of Scottish dialect in her dialogue. It was lovely so read words and phrases that are so common to me and part of my every day usage.
I am a big fan of this author

[Rosemary Mairs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating and revealing story about a teenage girl’s battle to survive being wrongly convicted and deported from England to Australia in the 1700’s. An especially difficult place for women where sexual abuse, brutality and racial prejudice was rife. Female convicts were generally thought ‘only fit for cleaning and breeding’. How is Bess to cope, endure, not be broken by this environment?

A moving, emotionally charged story about fortitude and resilience. Despite the harrowing account there is also tenderness and compassion and characters to renew one’s faith in mankind. As in all good historical fiction the author expertly opened a door into this particular period of time.

[Tracey Morait · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the only daughter of the Laird Sinclair of Kincaid Hall in the Highlands of Scotland, eighteen-year-old Elizabeth (Bess) Sinclair has lived a privileged life, but in the year 1797 her future is mapped out by her father: marriage to a neighbouring laird. It is not the life the rebellious and strong-willed Bess wants, so she refuses the hand of the eligible Laird Gregor, which infuriates both him and her father. Bess’ already strained relationship with Laird Sinclair becomes more fractured than ever and when Bess announces she is going to visit a family friend, ‘Aunt’ Hester in London for a few months, her father doesn’t object and welcomes the break from his troublesome daughter. The only person Bess is reluctant to leave is her younger brother, sixteen-year-old Munro, a sickly disappointment to his father, who considers himself unsuitable to the heir to the Sinclair estate. Munro is upset to see Bess leave and begs her not to stay away long.

While in London, Bess leads a happy and carefree life, helping Aunt Hester to administer to the care of the local prostitutes, until one day a raid takes place in one of the whore houses and her world is turned upside down.

So begins a terrifying journey to the colony of Australia where Bess is transported as a convict to endure seven years of penal servitude. There she encounters cruelty and hardship, terrifying challenges to her respectability and a lifetime of drudgery and despair in an alien land, as though she has swapped one form of slavery – enforced marriage – for another. Bess has one resolve which keeps her going: to try to get back to Scotland and the safety of Kincaid Hall. In the meantime, she has to accept her lot and make the best of the situation she finds herself in.

The book highlights the typical treatment of women in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, where they were seen as objects and the property of men, considered unsuitable to have any kind of independence or minds of their own. Bess’ treatment by her father is no different to how she is treated in Australia. She does not want to be owned by any man in marriage, nor does she want to be owned as a convict slave in Australia. Her fierce inner strength and will is the only weapon she has to keep her sane.

I found Conviction to be a thoroughly enjoyable read and I have recommended it to a friend, who has visited Australia many times.

[Liane Mahugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an historical tale about a young Scottish lass in the late 18th century who is wrongfully accused and convicted of a crime. Her sentence: transportation to the new penal colony in what will eventually become Australia.

The story is an intriguing one. The protagonist Bess quickly learns that to return to her beloved homeland she must use a combination of her education, upbringing, and dogged determination. She endures abuses and ridicule by many people along the way and finds comfort in the arms of a man considered by the colonists to be lower than her and her fellow convicts. Their resulting union gives her renewed reason to free herself and fight her way back home.

The research on the early colony in Australia was very well done, as are the descriptions of much of the people and landscape. I think the differences between the European settlers and the indigenous people were handled well. The disdain the settlers held for the people they viewed as less than human heathens was rivaled only by the contempt the natives held for the colonists and what they were doing to the land that they believed belonged to all the people.

I felt there was too much time spent on describing how Bess was going about clearing and planting her farm. Much of it was tedious. On the other hand, other parts seemed rushed, and the time that passed seemed to jump quickly about with very little transition along the way.

I felt more of Birrani’s character could have been fleshed out. Some of the conversations in which he was involved seemed like they had been written for someone much older than he was. I also thought the way Bess found herself with Jarrah was out of place. She’s an independent woman who doesn’t want to be married or slave to a man, and who has never even been kissed, yet the first time she meets Jarrah, she allows him to make love to her without any kind of foreplay or buildup.

I was pleased with the ending. The title, Conviction, has a double meaning here: a criminal conviction, and a conviction of spirit. After years of planning and never-ending determination, Bess comes full circle back around to where she started, finally realizing what had been most important all along. But she never would have come to that conclusion if she hadn’t first gone through her ordeal of being sent to the penal colony.

[Gwen Marsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took an interest in the penal colonies of Australia after discovering multiple ancestors were convicts sent to Australia in the early 1800s. I wanted to read some fiction in this setting and stumbled upon this book.

“Conviction” is a lovely story, rich with historic detail. Bess was a strong character who did not give up on her dreams. Her determination was admirable; she never faltered in her resolve despite the various challenges she faced. Without giving anything away, I really liked the ending – it was bittersweet yet satisfying, a fitting conclusion to the story.

Unfortunately, “Conviction” did not get a thorough editing. Quotation marks were missing at the beginning of speech, mainly when Birrani was speaking, and the formatting was odd. There was a blank line between each paragraph and every line of the last few paragraphs of Chapter 3 was double-spaced. There was also a lot of ‘telling’ instead of ‘showing’, which made some parts a bit tedious. I didn’t understand why Jarrah spoke in broken English or motioned for things still after Bess learned his language – surely they should be able to communicate just fine now? Also, if Gertie was raised by the British since she was 2, why did she speak in such jarring broken English?

I expected Bess and Jarrah’s romance arc to be a much more prominent part of the story than it was. I actually thought Bess was going to have a romantic relationship with a different character and was surprised when that didn’t happen. Regardless, even though Jarrah and Bess didn’t talk much with each other, I enjoyed their interactions. I wasn’t disappointed that Jarrah and Bess’s romance wasn’t the focal point of the story – in fact, I enjoyed that the story spanned over decades of her life rather than focussing on a moment of it.

All in all, “Conviction” was a good story.

[Aubrey Cleeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed my time with Conviction by Carmel Audsley, with its intriguing and headstrong female lead and nods towards Scottish and Australian heritage and history. There is a lot to uncover in this story which spans decades and continents, all wrapped up with an interesting plot and compelling characters, and although it is not always nice to hear what happened, this approach to historical fiction is exactly how it needs to be told.

Bess is certainly a worthy protagonist. She encounters ordeal after ordeal after her conviction in Scotland forced relocation to Australia, where she lives in a penal colony in New South Wales, and her subsequent child who is rejected by both her Scottish family and native aborigine roots. I really felt for the characters and the dilemma of how to bring Gertie up in such an unusual situation for the time, and thought that the themes of acceptance and prejudice were really well portrayed.

The writing style is very unique in parts, and I liked the Scottish dialect being intertwined with the text. Other authors have tried this, with the results often either being confusing or too simplistic that it loses its impact. I think the author got it just right here - the Scottish words are understandable or implied, which kept me immersed instead of trying to figure out what was being said or having to look things up.

The story really kept me hooked and I am pleased with how it ended. It really builds tension and pace later on, and at times it really hits the mark emotionally. I hope to read more books by this author which sound equally as thrilling as this one.

[L · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was a time in Scotland when women were charged for even the smallest of crimes, and forced to serve their sentence in Australia, where a new colony was being established. It was the hope that the women would marry and remain in there indefinitely, helping to populate the region. This is the story of one woman’s sentencing and struggle to build a life for herself while she longed to return home.

The strength of this book is in the historical research the author must have done to supply the story with such rich description and historical accuracy. Cultural myths and traditions are threaded throughout the book and were my favorite aspect of the storytelling (the white stag especially).

Although the historical details are implemented extremely well, not enough happened in the plot for me to fully invest in the characters. There was some repetition in details and I believe the book should have started at chapter 6. The main character comes off as hard and rude at times, but somewhat understandably so, given all that has happened to her.

I have not read a story with these themes before which was educational and interesting to explore.

[Steven Chisholm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall Analysis of Conviction:
It’s been some time since I’ve read any historical fiction, but this was a great reintroduction into the genre. Not only was I fully entertained, but I learned a lot about a subject I knew very little about: The Colony of New South Wales. I appreciate an author’s dedication to writing a fiction story while simultaneously acknowledging and staying true to its historical setting. It’s clear the author had done her research, spanning from the late 1700s to early 1800s. She certainly displayed a clear understanding of the era.

The story begins with an academic daughter of a laird (an owner of a long-established Scottish estate for those unfamiliar with the term, like me) who shuns her father’s request to marry a man of another clan to secure the family’s fortune. Looking to further establish her independence and gain support for her single lifestyle, she decides to spend a few months at her more open-minded aunt’s house in London. However, while in the big city, she’s wrongfully convicted of a crime, for which her punishment is seven years in the penal colony of New South Wales (currently known as Australia).

Carmel McMurdo Audsley does a great job at characterizing her main character, Bess, as a woman naive to the harsh world outside Kincaid Hall. Bess’ development is accurately molded by the author as she encounters various hardships and horrors throughout her sentence. Despite her resilience and independence, Audsley does a great job at framing the mind of a free woman who recognizes she was never truly free.

While an average-length novel, Audsley does cover a fairly extensive timeline. Months to years can pass between chapters, so sometimes Bess’ less significant relationships with others in the penal colony can seem a bit sudden or not quite so strong. Though, the relationships that truly count are well crafted and fleshed out.

Furthermore, Audsley did an incredible job describing the injustices done to the indigenous tribes of Australia without claiming to truly understand their plight. She didn’t insert her voice; rather, she let history do the talking.

One thing I found interesting is that I was never sure when the story was going to end. Just as I thought I’d reached the conclusion, the story carried onward with a new obstacle for Bess to overcome. Nevertheless, this proves Audsley was careful to tie up all loose ends. The fate of each character is neatly crafted, and the reader will not have any lingering questions upon finishing the book.

Final Thoughts:
Conviction is an incredible tale following the struggles of a woman attempting to claw her way out of a seemingly impossible situation. There is superb characterization beyond the main character, but Bess is the one that truly shines. Also, considering some of the more grotesque and unavoidable subject matter (i.e., rape), Audsley did an impeccable job leaving out the grittier details and focusing more on the emotional and long-term impact. To me, writing about this era seems an intimidating venture, but Audsley pulled it off masterly. She is truly a great storyteller and deserves recognition.

[readit · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an historical tale about a young Scottish lass in the late 18th century who is wrongfully accused and convicted of a crime. Her sentence: transportation to the new penal colony in what will eventually become Australia.

The story is an intriguing one. The protagonist Bess quickly learns that to return to her beloved homeland she must use a combination of her education, upbringing, and dogged determination. She endures abuses and ridicule by many people along the way and finds comfort in the arms of a man considered by the colonists to be lower than her and her fellow convicts. Their resulting union gives her renewed reason to free herself and fight her way back home.

The research on the early colony in Australia was very well done, as are the descriptions of much of the people and landscape. I think the differences between the European settlers and the indigenous people were handled well. The disdain the settlers held for the people they viewed as less than human heathens was rivaled only by the contempt the natives held for the colonists and what they were doing to the land that they believed belonged to all the people.

I felt there was too much time spent on describing how Bess was going about clearing and planting her farm. Much of it was tedious. On the other hand, other parts seemed rushed, and the time that passed seemed to jump quickly about with very little transition along the way.

I felt more of Birrani’s character could have been fleshed out. Some of the conversations in which he was involved seemed like they had been written for someone much older than he was. I also thought the way Bess found herself with Jarrah was out of place. She’s an independent woman who doesn’t want to be married or slave to a man, and who has never even been kissed, yet the first time she meets Jarrah, she allows him to make love to her without any kind of foreplay or buildup.

I was pleased with the ending. The title, Conviction, has a double meaning here: a criminal conviction, and a conviction of spirit. After years of planning and never-ending determination, Bess comes full circle back around to where she started, finally realizing what had been most important all along. But she never would have come to that conclusion if she hadn’t first gone through her ordeal of being sent to the penal colony.

[Book Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘CONVICTION’ by Carmel McMurdo Audsley is the captivating late-1700s tale of a heroic young woman’s life journey, from privileged youth at a lord’s estate in the Scottish Highlands to her being illegitimately found guilty of a petty crime in London and sentenced to a seven-year sentence at the penal colony in Australia.

Through it all, one body blow after another, we never see the headstrong and tough Bess lose heart or give up. So much of the reader delight in this story is in rooting for her as she continually finds ways to succeed in making her way amid unthinkably difficult circumstances. Young and beautiful, smart, stubborn and talented, Bess moves from being governess to single mother of a young boy (half indigenous ethnicity) to gaining her freedom and her own homestead in Australia and making a success farming it. Bess has the knack for always forcing the best outcome from whatever becomes her next situation while fending off unwanted suitors right and left, males preying on young women in the colony. However, she does forge a lasting relationship with an indigenous man, whom she can never marry due to various social strictures.

The climax of the book, of course, is in her return to Scotland and the introduction of Birrani, her son of color, to Laird Sinclair, her narrow-minded, old-fashioned father. Over time, the old curmudgeon comes to love the lad, who is destined to replace him as the powerful new lord of the estate.

This well-conceived novel was far more enjoyable than I had ever anticipated. The austere cover art (of a ghostly white stag in the forest at night) gives the impression the story will mainly be a spooky supernatural fantasy work. That is completely a false impression. The supernatural aspect only the tiniest element of the story (some Scottish folklore). Actually, CONVICTION is much more: a multi-layered, well-researched historical novel that flows right along at a wonderful pace. Writer Audsley treats her readers to smooth, high quality writing and a simple but compelling plot that flows right along and is credible and logical.

While reading this novel, I was strongly reminded of James Clavell’s novels, with its nice mix of history and ethnic humanity … and THAT is praise of the highest order. Do read this novel – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, let me be clear; this is a good read, compelling and satisfying. It's the kind of book that you won't want to put down because you will want to find out what will happen next, and you might even find yourself daydreaming about the story and setting in between reading sessions.

It is not, however, perfect. The main character is something of a Mary Sue - a little too perfect, without a hint of vice or weakness, and virtuous in all circumstances. The villains are entirely one-dimensional, a trait they share with the majority of the nice characters. Bess's father is really the only person who seems to experience any kind of transformation as a result of the events that take place, and this transformation is quite sweet, if perhaps a little too neat, abrupt, and unlikely.

There is a repeated tendency for characters in the book - the good characters, that is - to display beliefs and values that obviously reflect the book's 21st century authorship rather than those more likely to have actually been held by those people in those historical circumstances. Very few British colonists in real life would have shared Bess's sympathetic views of the Aboriginal people, and very few prominent men and woman in that society would have been so relaxed about an unmarried woman having a mixed-race child.

Bess tells her father that she succeeded because of the determination and strength that he had taught her. She does not appear to reflect on the large number of powerful men who assisted her, often bending and breaking rules for her at high risk to themselves, all without any expectation of anything in return. It is difficult not to wonder what the experience would have been of another young woman in the same circumstances, just as determined and strong, but who was from a working-class background, less well-educated, or less pretty.

Absolutely none of this should stop you from wanting to read the book. It is a truly lovely story, and if you can resist the temptation to over-analyze it as I have just done, you will enjoy it and be inspired by it. Some of the descriptions of characters arriving in unfamiliar places - Bess in Australia, Birrani in Scotland - are very cleverly done and rather touching. It is a story of respect between cultures, and is ultimately full of hope and positivity. I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy it.

[Anita Dow · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an Australian with Scottish ancestry, author Ms McMurdo Audsley has vividly brought to life this compelling story of a minor Scottish aristocrat who finds herself shipped to Australia on a convict ship in 1797. It was disturbing to read how a person could be convicted to serve seven years transportation just for minor theft crimes, and how the governments of both countries were keen to have women transported, to reproduce and multiply the emerging population. Historical facts are deftly woven into this plot which highlights the types of scenarios that awaited convict settlers who were shipped from Britain to Australia around 1800 in order to work and help create the new colonies.

Early in the story, the protagonist Bess Sinclair, who is the daughter of a Scottish clan leader, is involved in a shocking case of mistaken identity. I marvelled at the author's inventiveness at making this a believable scenario and Bess' predicament kept me avidly turning the pages. I found it interesting to learn that a transportation conviction often meant having to work at a different place for each year of the sentence and of course, not all employers were disposed to providing decent conditions for their workers. It made me realise that this left many options open to the author for what could potentially happen to her protagonist. Ms McMurdo Audsley has evidently researched the penal system in both countries during that period and I found the twists and turns of Bess' situation made for a very absorbing read. The characterisation is very good and, whilst some of the incidents are difficult for the individuals concerned, it was pleasing to read an historical fiction with a feisty female lead. The writing flows well, is easy to read and there is no gratuitous violence, sex or adult language. This is the second novel I have read recently by Carmel McMurdo Audsley, and it feels as though she has grown as a fiction author in the five years between the two publications. The Australian/Scottish theme is refreshingly different and historical fiction fans are sure to find 'Conviction' an enjoyable read.

[E.B. Hauk · Rating 4 out of 5]

[3.75 Stars]

Conviction is, in many ways, a rude-awakening for our wealthy main character, Bess. The daughter of a Scottish Laird, Bess has lived a life of sheltered luxury, where her biggest concern is the marriage her father’s tried to arrange, a marriage she wants no part of. Though at times her stubborn independence feels pretty anachronistic (after all, political matches benefiting the family were the norm for all but the poorest), her plight is understandable. In a bid of continued independence, she travels far southward, out of Scotland and into London to stay with her Aunt Hester.

A former prostitute and Madam who’s come into wealth, Hester illuminates the poverty that’s rampant in London at the time and the scant options available to women in need of coin. From there, a frame-job send Bess off to Australia.

I admit that I found the early chapters prior to her arrival in London a bit sluggish. Though our author has a good style, I can’t help but feel that emphasis was put on the wrong things, and that a chapter prior to her arrival in London could’ve been cut or heavily condensed and more time could have been spent exploring the city and enjoying her independence before it was taken away.

Our author highlights the perils of a grueling journey on a penal ship to Australia, and isn’t ginger about the human cost of colonizing Australia. Slavery and racism are ever-present. I appreciate our author’s commitment to reflecting the conditions of the time, even if this might be difficult for some modern readers.

Personally, I would have liked a bit more depth from our main character in particular. We focus on her for so long and there are plenty of opportunities for introspection, especially during her period of confinement, but she feels a bit inaccessible, to me. Most of the characters are pretty standard. But the dialogue is good.

Overall, I’d say this is a solid, if not especially ground-breaking read. Fans of historical novels should enjoy this one.

[Karla Shaffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Conviction" by Carmel McMurdo Audsley is a fascinating historical fiction novel about Bess Sinclair; a woman born into privilege and thrown headfirst as a convict into a penal colony in Australia. Particularly compelling for me was Bess's fall from grace and how she went from nobility to a long and extraordinary life as a convict, bearing the unbearable load upon women and her strength of spirit in the face of unimaginable hardship.

As someone who likes historical fiction, especially older period pieces, I enjoyed the clear and vivid representations of both the Scottish estate and the harsh principles of the early Australian settlements which were a perfect backdrop for the story. I think that Audsley's careful attention to detail about life in the 18th century lends an authenticity that will inform and intrigue anyone interested in the history of the time.

I was particularly enthralled by Bess's growth as a character; her tenacity makes her a compelling protagonist. I was intrigued by the emotional weight of her own story and the trials and tribulations (including her relationships with other inmates and her struggle to make her way back home).

Still, I think, at times, the pacing is somewhat worse for wear as some sections went longer than they needed to due to excessive descriptions. It also suffered from some ancillary characters that just felt a bit underdeveloped; I think their expansion into more would have only made the story richer. But those quibbles aside, "Conviction" is still a great read.

If you are a historical fiction set around this part of the world, or a fan of the work of Kate Grenville's "The Secret River," David Malouf's "Remembering Babylon," and "The Lieutenant," then I think you will like this. Audsley does a masterful job weaving in historical detail with such a compelling story that lovers of the genre will want to read this one.

[Joan Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a gripping and emotional story about Bess, a young Scot who is wrongly convicted of theft and deported to Australia. There is one overriding question, will she ever be able to prove her innocence, and return to her rightful home. There is no doubt that the reader's sympathies are with her all the way, as the admirable and doughty heroine withstands the terrible hardships of her journey and her early life in servitude, whilst later proving her worth as a capable farmer and caring mother to Birrani, her mixed race son.
The writer's research is exemplary, and through her vivid writing we are better able to experience the deprivations and hardships these so called criminals had to bear,and how life evolved in nineteenth century Australia. It would seem to have been particularly hard on petty female criminals, whose presence was required to ensure a burgeoning population.
Above all this novel is a noble cry for female emancipation and racial harmony. Bess eschews the expectations of society in Scotland that she will marry well, and thereby contribute to the fortunes of her family, whilst in Australia she insists on ploughing a lonely furrow. Her relationship with an Aboriginal hunter is moving , as is their joint parenting and support for their child. We should value and respect the Aborigine's skills and their land rights; this novel declares. Bess defies all prejudice, and is able to show how meaningless the issue of skin colour is. Birrani is well able to adapt to his new life in Scotland, but in the end he chooses to return to his life as an Australian Aborigine.
This is a great story, well told. Perhaps at times the dialogue is a little stilted, and the story a little idealistic. But as for the suspense, and the sentiments that the novel espouses, I cannot fault it.

[Gillie Bowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Author has handled an interesting case of racism very well in her latest book, Conviction. Most of us don’t realise how far this problem goes back. Bess is a young Scottish girl who, because of extraordinary circumstances, is transported to Australia in 1797. She is a privileged young woman from the Highlands of Scotland and disputes her arrest and deportation to a penal settlement in New South Wales as a convict. Despite the fact that she continually protests against her conviction, she is made to serve out her sentence in the New World. All she ever wants is to return to Scotland, where her father is a wealthy Laird. Bess falls in love with a native man and on a one-night encounter, becomes pregnant. She gives birth to a mixed race boy, who is not recognised by the local people of Australia, even though she is able to claim her freedom after seven years. Bess believes if she can take her son back to Scotland, her father will accept him as the heir to their Scottish estate. Having served her sentence in Australia, she makes every effort to return to her homeland, even though she is forbidden to return to the UK. Her child faces racism from every side; from the British Australians, from his Scottish family, and even from his own Aborigine roots. Carmel McMurdo Audsley is a talented writer and handles a delicate subject very well. I enjoyed this book and the last chapters left tears in my eyes. Recommended.

[F.E. Beyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novel of epic scope about the convict experience in Australia.

It's easy to root for Bess, a high-born Scottish woman who has fallen on hard times. She's resilient and endlessly resourceful. As one might expect of a contemporary author, the patriarchal mechanisms of the British Empire are portrayed as cruel and unjust. However, not every colonial official or Englishman in power in the book is bad. However, the system does allow evil men to abuse others.

The two main settings for the novel: Australia and the Scottish Highlands contrast nicely in terms of weather and scenery. The reader can feel the shock this contrast causes from the experiences of Bess’s half-Aboriginal son, Birrani.

Bess’s journey from the Scottish Highlands, to London, to the colony of New South Wales is a harsh one. The story takes in over twenty years of Bess's life and the author did some summarising and reiteration to guide that reader which I didn't feel was necessary. But this is a small criticism of an enjoyable historical novel.

It’s common to be jaded about reading your own country's history because you know how it’s been twisted to fit political and cultural trends. Or at least this is the case for me. I prefer reading about Australian history to New Zealand history. I recommend Conviction to anybody wanting to learn more about the experiences of women sent to Australia as convicts.

[Zero Press · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on its premise, this novel promises a compelling blend of historical hardship and personal reckoning, and for the most part, it delivers. Set in 1797, the story follows a privileged young woman ripped from the Scottish Highlands and dumped into a brutal Australian penal settlement, which is about as far from a gentle coming-of-age tale as you can get. The contrast between her former life and the unforgiving reality of the colony is one of the book’s strongest elements. Class consciousness doesn’t magically disappear just because everyone is miserable, and the story does a solid job showing how status, gender, and power still dictate survival, even at the edge of the empire.

The emotional core lies in her determination to endure. Hope of returning home, not comfort or rescue, is what keeps her moving forward. The looming confrontation with her tyrannical father and the hinted dark secret give the story real narrative weight and motivation beyond simple survival.

At times, the pacing leans a little heavy on endurance over momentum, and some readers may wish the secret was woven in more gradually rather than held back so tightly. Still, the setting is vivid, the stakes feel real, and the protagonist’s resilience is compelling. This is a strong historical novel for readers who like their stories raw, grounded, and driven by unfinished business rather than romance alone.

[Kelly Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

In “Conviction,” 18-year-old Elizabeth (Bess), the daughter of a laird in 1797 Scotland, refuses an offer of marriage from an eligible bachelor, an act that enrages her father. While staying with an aunt in England, Bess is at the wrong place at the wrong time and is falsely accused of a crime. Without a friend or family member around to assist her or speak for her good character, she is convicted, sentenced to 7 years of labor, and shipped out to Australia. There are several trigger warnings to be aware of: rape, violence, and racism.
Bess has an advantage over most of the convicts: she is educated. This allows she to be assigned a better job in Australia than she would otherwise have gotten. She is given the position of tutor. At first, it seems like a tolerable existence. Then she is transferred to a different landowner who has more children and therefore, a greater need for her services. Bess is warned by her fellow female convicts that the overseer, despite being married, has an eye for the convict woman and does not take “No” for an answer. The convict women have one avenue to protect themselves from men like the overseer: find a local man to marry. Bess, though, is still determined not to marry. If there is a consolation for Bess, it is that her first sexual experience is a positive one. However, she later becomes a repeat victim of the overseer with no apparent way to escape his repeated attacks.
The author did extensive research for this story. However, I found some of the information given was unnecessary to the plot, and I’d have rather seen the information at the beginning eliminated and perhaps provided as “extra info” at the end instead. Nevertheless, I found Bess’s story to be imaginative and compelling; I wanted to see her succeed in her goals. Fans of historical fiction ought to enjoy “Conviction.”

[mjgman63 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Letters taking over 6 months to be delivered. Replies therefore not being received for over a year. And these are letters to and from the people whom you hold most dear in the world. Lots of things moved me in this novel: most particularly, the descriptions of poverty, injustice and prejudice. But funnily enough, it was the time scale of the ‘postal system’ between Scotland/England and Australia which rammed home to me the harshness of the penal transportation of convicts – effectively for life – over 200 years ago. No one reading this book will come away thinking that transportation was a soft option (even if the alternative was death on the gallows). In the case of Bess (the heroine of the novel), the main interest for me was therefore if and how she would ever return to her native Scotland … and, if she did, whether any of the people dear to her would still be alive. Occasionally, I felt that the narrative drive took second place to an account of time passing (and, boy, a lot of time does pass), so that my focus was more on what was going to happen in the end rather than on the next page. But that’s a minor, personal quibble, and it didn’t take away any of my enjoyment of the book (and I speak as someone who is normally a crime, mystery and thriller sort of guy rather than a historical fiction buff).

[Rosalind · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Conviction” by Carmel McMurdo Audsley is an historical drama that follows the heartbreaking and inspiring journey of Bess, the daughter of a wealthy, powerful Scottish Laird. She clashes with her father and hopes to become an independent woman, despite the restrictions of the late 1700s. In a horrific turn of events, she is wrongfully convicted of a crime and sentenced to a penal settlement in Australia. Ms. McMurdo Audsley’s historical research makes the shocking misery of Bess’s journey to Australia come alive. Back then, a sentence to Australia was forever, and Australia was seen as a desolate land no one would want to go to. Bess’s hardships do not end when she arrives. Through her struggles, she continues to plan to one day return home to Scotland. Her determination is inspiring. The bright spot in her brutal existence is her son born from forbidden love. “Conviction” is a deeply involving drama of a young woman’s conflicts with her family, her struggle with an unfair fate, and her will to overcome. The book has excellent and fascinating historical details about Australia’s history as a penal colony, the displacement and prejudice against the Aboriginal peoples, and the fate of women who were too eagerly convicted of petty crimes so they could “populate” the new colony. An impossible to put down read.

[Gloria Goldsmith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Conviction, as the title reflected, not only the legal condemnation given in judgment but also Bess’s resolve to return to Scotland. Audsley continued demonstrating to readers Bess’s youthful belief that if she told the truth, everything would work out to her benefit.

She repeatedly kept her innocent charm, evidenced by her dutiful belief that because the plantation owner of her first work placement was kind and she had informed him of this horrible error made by the British court system, she somehow believed that he would write to her father to tell him she was now in Australia.

She had no money to mail a letter to her father. She owned only the clothing she was arrested in and what apparel was given to her. More than a year later, once she was shipped off to another work-servitude location, it finally became clear to Bess that no one would help her. They believed she had committed a crime, and this was her sentence.

Now, her personal conviction takes effect. Her determined nature and unwillingness to accept her fate doled out by others were not for her. She worked hard to fulfill her dream of returning to Scotland, come what may. Bess grew up in many ways. In some cases, it was a painful reality; in others, it was through what became a battle of overcoming governmental wills. Audsley opens 21st-century eyes to the plight of those who were ”transported.”

[M.J. Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

With tears in my eyes, I write this review of “Conviction.” As an author of several historical fiction titles, ("Pinto!," "The Sand Pounder," and the newly released “The Stallion and His Peculiar Boy,”) I can attest to an understanding of the months of research that the author put into this book. Indeed, the best part about writing historical fiction is learning about times and places in the past, and the best part about reading historical fiction is learning about times and places in the past! I enjoyed learning about Scotland in the times of the great clans, and learning about New South Wales when it was a British penal colony.
The story of Bess, set in the late 1700s, and early 1800s, was fascinating. The story is one that will keep you up late at night rather than put it down. The writing is wonderful and the characters are well-developed. I’m so glad I found this book and you will be, too! And I love that the author “wrote in a circle” (what goes around comes around!)
M.J. Evans, Author

[Reid Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bess Sinclair is the daughter of a Scottish laird and is destined to marry the man of his choosing. A headstrong yet naive and privileged young Scottish lady, this doesn't sit well with her. Even though her intended seems like a good man, she's not attracted to him and doesn't like the idea of being pawned off as a possession and to make alliances.

In her search for independence and affection, she spends time in London with her aunt, who brings her on charity runs to aid down-and-out women. The wrong place at the wrong time gets her transported to Australia as a convict. Many struggles ensue, but she finds comfort in an unlikely place, which creates even more trouble.

She seemed awfully obsessed with getting home and could feel the exasperation of the people around her, but I suppose the book's name is "Conviction." She indeed had convictions and stuck to them. I've read similar historical books (Sarah Lark comes to mind), but while this book was reasonably engaging, it had formatting and editing issues.

[Philomena's Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Conviction by Carmel McMurdo Audsley is a historical tale following Bess as she finds herself wrongly convicted of theft and transported to a penal colony in New South Wales. Although a good read of which I’m sure many readers of the genre will enjoy for me there were a few flaws in the historical details.
The characters for me did not wholly reflect the period in which the novel was set, I get the author was possibly trying to portray how a good Christian would have been at the time but surely not everyone was as nice as they were depicted in the book and I’m sure there would have been more than just a few disapproving looks when Bess had a child with one of the natives.
Also, there was too much showing rather than telling which was off-putting at times as was the repetition, however, I can’t fault that I was eager to find out what happened to Bess and if she would ever get the happy ending she deserved after the brutality and wrong conviction she had endured.
Overall a good read that historical fiction readers will enjoy.

[Amber Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Walks the line between a non-fiction biography and a period drama

Conviction by Carmel McMurdo Audsley walks the line between a non-fiction biography and a period drama. You follow Bess through most of her life, starting at 18 through when her child is roughly the same age.

You should read this book if you are looking for an enjoyable and educational walk through what life would have been like in the penal colony in Australia.

However, I did take a few stars off for the following reasons:
1) The characters overall lacked the depth that I was expecting from a fiction novel. The focus is more on describing the places and loses the balance with what Bess or the supporting cast would really be thinking. I was expecting more fiction and this reads more like a biography.

2) For a story based on a woman overcoming adversity, the characters around Bess were often unbelievably supportive. She never struggles with the tasks given to her and if she would, there is magically a very helpful person that is willing to give her everything that she could possibly ask for.

[Iris P · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating book about a woman’s journey from Scotland to Australia. I would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of woman’s literature, or who wants a lovely, atmospheric book.
I think the author did a great job of describing the moors, the historic house and the inner world of the main character, Elizabeth. Her journey though a wrongful conviction, transporting to Australia, and becoming a school teacher are all fascinating.
But for me, I struggled a little with the dialogue. It’s written in an accent, and some of it (especially at first) I thought was a little expository, the father taking quite a lot time to explain why and how her own brothers died, facts she clearly already knew. However, I think this is quite a minor thing and if that’s not a problem for you, I think the characters and plot make this a worthwhile read.
Personally, I was lucky enough to read it while I was in Scotland and felt the vibes were very much spot on!

[Vanessa Benford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well-written story that was both emotional and historically accurate. I thought it would be a difficult read with the topic (a woman sent to live as a convict in Australia), but the way the novel played out, it was quite hopeful and positive. There were scenes where Bess (the protagonist) was really at a low point, yet she could see something good in her life. A real reminder for us all. The descriptions of the highlands and Australia were wonderful (having spent a lot of time in each). The author balances the elements of character development and plot/pacing very well. I especially enjoyed the protagonist, who grew from her privileged background into a strong, determined woman. The supporting characters (her father, brother, son, and friends) were considered and added depth to a story that spanned decades. I really enjoyed this read, and I will definitely be reading more by this author.

[Kristina Kamaeva · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel, the second historical one by this author I’ve read, is about the hard fate of a young and spirited woman.
Honestly, I hated the white stag (we see on the cover) which foreshadowed misfortunes in the life of the heroine.
Bess is wrongly accused of stealing a gold watch and transported to the penal colony in Australia.
We follow Bess to a bathhouse, where her compassionate aunt provides prostitutes with food and medicine, to a prison where hundreds of convicts are kept in cramped quarters, to the hold of a ship that sails for six months to its destination.
Bess has a very distinctive, strong character. Through all the misfortunes, she carries the belief that she will return to her native Scotland.
My favorite part was about Bess’s father meeting Birrani, her son, and how Birrani shows his hunting and fishing skills and is accepted into the clan.
Overall, it was an informative and impressive book, and I’m glad that I don’t live in that time!

[Bobby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Conviction is a very detailed book and, in my opinion, very well written. The author made the historical setting come alive with wonderful scenery and excellent choice of words.

The story focuses on Bess, I love that name, and how headstrong she is and refusing to be married off by her father. It sets the tone of her personality and you find yourself rooting for her through thick and thin. The author must have done a lot of research of the time period, as it is very well described and the detail is amazing. You follow Bess, as he goes to Scottland and London and her adventures into life with all of the obstacles that she encounters.

I gave his novel 5 out of 5 stars due to my interest in the time perioid and will reccommend this book to anyone looking for a nice, relaxing, fall read with a cup of tea to set the mood just right. Excellent cover too!