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The Mysteries
An old stone house with no history - secrets buried below the floor
Glimpsed lives from 200 years past - If only the stones could talk
A mother and child vanished thirty years ago
Now a new mystery - the mother’s pendant is found
From the author of The Old Balmain House this is a story set in early Sydney
Its consequences reverberate down through successive generations until today
She bends forward. A silver pendant falls from her shirt, swinging free on a chain from her neck.
The name ‘Cindy’ is in silver cursive letters. On its back is a heart symbol and, ‘From Jim’.
I remember so clearly the day I bought it. I did not have money to buy my Cindy a wedding ring.
But, with the twenty dollars I had saved, I bought this. I gave it to her with all my love.
She hung it around her neck, where it stayed until she and our baby vanished.
Now, after thirty years, it has returned.
Glimpsed lives from 200 years past - If only the stones could talk
A mother and child vanished thirty years ago
Now a new mystery - the mother’s pendant is found
From the author of The Old Balmain House this is a story set in early Sydney
Its consequences reverberate down through successive generations until today
She bends forward. A silver pendant falls from her shirt, swinging free on a chain from her neck.
The name ‘Cindy’ is in silver cursive letters. On its back is a heart symbol and, ‘From Jim’.
I remember so clearly the day I bought it. I did not have money to buy my Cindy a wedding ring.
But, with the twenty dollars I had saved, I bought this. I gave it to her with all my love.
She hung it around her neck, where it stayed until she and our baby vanished.
Now, after thirty years, it has returned.
330 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 17, 2020
553 people are currently reading
1855 people want to read
About the author
Graham Wilson
61 books341 followersGraham Wilson lives in Sydney, Australia.
He has completed and published twelve novels and a memoir.
His most recent novel is 'Mysteries', set in early Sydney about an old house and a mother and child missing for 30 years. His other standalone novel is, 'The Glitter''.
Other novels comprise two series,
1. Old Balmain House Series - 3 books of historic fiction set in early Sydney
2. Crocodile Dreaming Series - 7 books. 5 books (The Visitor, The Victim, The Void, The Vanished and The Invisible) are in the main series which follows English backpacker, Susan, as she travels across remote Australia with a charming outback man. It tells how this idyllic trip becomes a nightmare as she discovers terrifying secrets about this man. It also includes a 2-book Prequel, The Vertigo and The Vortex, which give insights into her travelling companion, Mark.
Graham's family memoir, 'Arnhem's Kaleidoscope Children' tells of his family's life in an aboriginal community the Northern Territory's remote Arnhem Land. It chronicles an idyllic childhood, 50 years of change with aboriginal land rights and discovery or uranium. It also tells of his surviving an attack by a large crocodile and of his work over two decades in the outback of the NT.
Graham's career was first as a veterinarian in a mixed practice treating farm animals and people's pets, before following his love for wildlife through working at a range of Australian Zoos. He also spent two decades working on large cattle and buffalo properties in the Northern Territory before moving to Sydney where he now lives in one of Sydney's oldest houses in the Rocks. He has continued to follow his joint passions working with animals, wildlife conservation and writing stories.
Books are published as ebooks by major ebook publishers. Some books are also available in print online and through selected local bookshops.
He has completed and published twelve novels and a memoir.
His most recent novel is 'Mysteries', set in early Sydney about an old house and a mother and child missing for 30 years. His other standalone novel is, 'The Glitter''.
Other novels comprise two series,
1. Old Balmain House Series - 3 books of historic fiction set in early Sydney
2. Crocodile Dreaming Series - 7 books. 5 books (The Visitor, The Victim, The Void, The Vanished and The Invisible) are in the main series which follows English backpacker, Susan, as she travels across remote Australia with a charming outback man. It tells how this idyllic trip becomes a nightmare as she discovers terrifying secrets about this man. It also includes a 2-book Prequel, The Vertigo and The Vortex, which give insights into her travelling companion, Mark.
Graham's family memoir, 'Arnhem's Kaleidoscope Children' tells of his family's life in an aboriginal community the Northern Territory's remote Arnhem Land. It chronicles an idyllic childhood, 50 years of change with aboriginal land rights and discovery or uranium. It also tells of his surviving an attack by a large crocodile and of his work over two decades in the outback of the NT.
Graham's career was first as a veterinarian in a mixed practice treating farm animals and people's pets, before following his love for wildlife through working at a range of Australian Zoos. He also spent two decades working on large cattle and buffalo properties in the Northern Territory before moving to Sydney where he now lives in one of Sydney's oldest houses in the Rocks. He has continued to follow his joint passions working with animals, wildlife conservation and writing stories.
Books are published as ebooks by major ebook publishers. Some books are also available in print online and through selected local bookshops.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
December 16, 2022
While this book needs another round of editing to fix a few details I like the way it has come together and love the positive feedback from my many readers - the almost 50 Amazon reviews to date have averaged 4.6 and the 40 plus Goodreads ones better than 4. Hence I have put that as my own rating - I can't give it five stars yet until I tidy up the bits in need of fixing.
It was a great writing pleasure to turn what began as a short story of 3000 words into a full length novel of 90,000 words, with the short story remaining as the Prologue.
And as it came to a close I realised there is still one mystery to solve, 'Who is the elusive Cindy', still only a shadow at the end of this book.
Giving her a real story of her own may be the subject of another book although my mind has yet to grasp how this could be, so for now she will remain as perhaps Cinderella, princess of glass slippers, perhaps someone else again - but that is a story for another day.
It was a great writing pleasure to turn what began as a short story of 3000 words into a full length novel of 90,000 words, with the short story remaining as the Prologue.
And as it came to a close I realised there is still one mystery to solve, 'Who is the elusive Cindy', still only a shadow at the end of this book.
Giving her a real story of her own may be the subject of another book although my mind has yet to grasp how this could be, so for now she will remain as perhaps Cinderella, princess of glass slippers, perhaps someone else again - but that is a story for another day.
June 15, 2022
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
An Australian man is living in an old, forgotten house. When he inherits a little money, he begins to fix it up a little. Pulling up the floor, he finds strange, old stones underneath.
I thought we were going in a horror, maybe a Lovecraftian direction, but such was not to be, as we get a family history instead.
Well written, but I would have preferred horror.
An Australian man is living in an old, forgotten house. When he inherits a little money, he begins to fix it up a little. Pulling up the floor, he finds strange, old stones underneath.
I thought we were going in a horror, maybe a Lovecraftian direction, but such was not to be, as we get a family history instead.
Well written, but I would have preferred horror.
January 23, 2024
Time that I can’t get back.
I like to finish what I start, thus I read every word. This book was told from different “voices”, yet all the voices sounded exactly the same. This book reminded me of a written documentary. There are no emotions exhibited in any one of the characters. And the typos, missing words, repeated words, almost as if it had been translated, was there an editor? The only example of an emotion was in a child’s written note. I would not recommend it.
I like to finish what I start, thus I read every word. This book was told from different “voices”, yet all the voices sounded exactly the same. This book reminded me of a written documentary. There are no emotions exhibited in any one of the characters. And the typos, missing words, repeated words, almost as if it had been translated, was there an editor? The only example of an emotion was in a child’s written note. I would not recommend it.
December 23, 2020
The description of this book sounded intriguing and the reviews were good so I entered the Kindle Giveaway for it and won a copy. I couldn't make it past page 30 or so. The beginning is endless repetitive description, then when people actually begin to populate the book they are two dimensional and boring. I found the book to be flat and uninteresting - if this were a film I would envision it in dull sepia tones. Others have said they needed to get into it and then it paid off, but I am moving onto something else.
December 16, 2023
This book is a fascinating take on tracing one’s roots. It starts off with a wild teen being sent off to the penal colony in Australia. It is a present/past study of a family in transition. The reason I rated it a four star book is that the last chapter is far to rushed. It does not lay out the individuals full stories as it does in the rest of the book. All in all, it is well worth the time to read this book.
October 1, 2020
Brilliant
I have no idea why I picked this book up, it's so far from my normal reading material.
It took me a while to get into it, but I am so glad I read it! Bear with it, the reward is fantastic.
I have no idea why I picked this book up, it's so far from my normal reading material.
It took me a while to get into it, but I am so glad I read it! Bear with it, the reward is fantastic.
March 25, 2024
Interesting to me because it went into detail about older houses around 1800s. A young man who lived in Australia with his Mom till she died from cancer. He was left alone and had to move. He used to work with odd job to help buy food for them . Jobs were easy there at that time. But he decided to go to Ireland maybe get another job. And he did. He got interested in a old home there whom he thought used to belong to a past relative He was also looking for other relatives that lived in the area to find more of his relatives he never knew. Historical homes had to be reported and nothing could be done if it wasn't reported to them by law. Some things in the home may be taken from the owner being historical. I won't go into detail what was found I would spoil it all. It really went in depth about historical homes and such. Also all the relative's info he found. I do genealogy and he was one lucky man to have found so much information left behind.
December 22, 2020
Excellently built story that explores generational ties and how our families, whether we know them or not, shape our identity. Mysteries has a really solid build, which includes a slow burn of a beginning that pays off in the middle, and just when you've forgotten about it, it comes back huge again in the end.
The characters are extremely likable, and all of the twists are believable and plausible, which is refreshing in this era of constant book twists that seem to be trying hard to one up the other.
Quick, breezy, enjoyable read that I was able to finish over a couple of days. Happy to recommend!
The characters are extremely likable, and all of the twists are believable and plausible, which is refreshing in this era of constant book twists that seem to be trying hard to one up the other.
Quick, breezy, enjoyable read that I was able to finish over a couple of days. Happy to recommend!
December 15, 2025
Compelling! This book is a collection of life stories told from the point of view of characters from different generations. These stories have a nexus in a historic house beside the railway corridor in the inner-western suburbs of Sydney and what unfolds is the revelation of a forgotten family tree that reaches across the country and around the world. In their quest to unearth the secrets of times past, the characters reckon with the turmoil that has wrenched them apart. I would recommend this book to lovers of Australian historical fiction that is infused with intrigue, tragedy and romance. Five Stars.
November 12, 2025
This book is an engaging and thought provoking read that captures attention from the very first page. The author does a wonderful job of weaving together interesting ideas, relatable characters, and a strong sense of purpose. The writing is clear, the pacing is smooth, and the themes are meaningful, leaving readers with plenty to reflect on.
Whether you’re reading for entertainment, inspiration, or knowledge, this book offers something valuable. It’s well crafted and enjoyable, making it a great addition to any reader’s collection.
Whether you’re reading for entertainment, inspiration, or knowledge, this book offers something valuable. It’s well crafted and enjoyable, making it a great addition to any reader’s collection.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2025
“Mysteries” is an atmospheric and deeply layered story that blends historical intrigue with modern suspense. Graham Wilson brings the old stone house to life so vividly that it feels like a silent witness to centuries of secrets. The gradual uncovering of the past kept me completely engrossed. The disappearance of the mother and child is heartbreaking yet compelling, and the discovery of the pendant ties everything together with chilling precision. A wonderfully crafted tale that refuses to let go.
December 2, 2020
This book follows the story of a man who knows nothing about his family. When he buys an old house, he winds up on a quest to find out about the past. I liked the setting in different parts of Australia in different time periods. It was a bit tricky remembering how all the people fit together at times. All the lucky breaks seemed a little too good to be true, but it made for plenty of answers to the mysteries.
December 6, 2020
Author graciously provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is a wonderful work of historical fiction - one of my favorite genres. The main setting is Australia with some Ireland and N. America thrown in. The story takes place over roughly 200 years (early 1800's to the present). The characters were well developed and very likeable. I look forward to reading more from Mr. Wilson.
February 17, 2024
Who are we?
Although a book of fiction, I was brought into the story of a person seeking their own story and then how the stories of connecting people bring a family together through a series of coincidences that are waiting to unite a family once again. It makes one think about all the untold stories of our lives and those of our extended and intended families. A totally wonderful read.
Although a book of fiction, I was brought into the story of a person seeking their own story and then how the stories of connecting people bring a family together through a series of coincidences that are waiting to unite a family once again. It makes one think about all the untold stories of our lives and those of our extended and intended families. A totally wonderful read.
January 11, 2021
Thank you to Graham Wilson and Goodreads.com I won this book in a Giveaway.
I believe I would have enjoyed this book way more if it was proofread better, once sentance wasn't even finished ! Several spelling errands and names didn't match in the book, once she was referred to as Yurra and then Yura. The writing style was very choppy and I felt like it was a rushed piece.
I believe I would have enjoyed this book way more if it was proofread better, once sentance wasn't even finished ! Several spelling errands and names didn't match in the book, once she was referred to as Yurra and then Yura. The writing style was very choppy and I felt like it was a rushed piece.
May 28, 2021
Great fictional history of a complex Irish family
This historical novel is unlike others I’ve read and I truly enjoyed my time in the story. The little home which, to me seems a cottage, sparks my imagination to picture it so that it will remain in my pleasant memory of this “family.” Great job!
This historical novel is unlike others I’ve read and I truly enjoyed my time in the story. The little home which, to me seems a cottage, sparks my imagination to picture it so that it will remain in my pleasant memory of this “family.” Great job!
December 29, 2021
Not My Usual Read
I loved the cover so I bought the book. The story was interesting but could have done with a bit of editing, I preferred the historical parts of the book, the main characters all added their own stories, as well as finding the truth about the past, a good read if you like family sagas.
I loved the cover so I bought the book. The story was interesting but could have done with a bit of editing, I preferred the historical parts of the book, the main characters all added their own stories, as well as finding the truth about the past, a good read if you like family sagas.
February 27, 2024
This book is not compelling. It is so long I soon quit really caring what happened to whom. There were too many characters and too many points of view. There was not enough dialogue. What dialogue there was soon turned into paragraphs and paragraphs of monologue. The author misused "me" and "I" in more than one place. It is about an orphan boy in Australia who traces his roots.
October 21, 2025
The Mysteries is a beautifully written, multi-layered story that lingers long after you’ve finished it. Graham Wilson captures the quiet power of memory and the way the past shapes our present. Our book club at Silent Book Club Singapore featured this novel, and it sparked deep reflection among members, haunting, heartfelt, and profoundly human.
November 20, 2025
“Mysteries” delivers everything I look for in a haunting, slow burn thriller, which is exactly why Silent Book Singapore chose to feature it. The sense of place is extraordinary lonely, absorbing, and full of whispers from the past. The story of the missing mother and child is deeply moving. As secrets unfold, the tension grows with perfect pacing. Wilson truly shines as a storyteller.
November 20, 2025
This book draws you in from the very first page with its eerie setting and haunting descriptions. Wilson creates a world where the past is never truly gone, only hidden beneath floorboards and old stones. The characters searching for answers feel real and relatable. Every clue adds tension, making the journey both emotional and thrilling. A gripping mystery that satisfies.
January 23, 2021
In fairness, I did not finish this book. I felt that there was a great story in there, but it seemed like every other page, the main character visited a prostitute. I felt the story could have been told with less objectivity of women.
***I received this book from a Goodreads giveaway.
***I received this book from a Goodreads giveaway.
February 22, 2021
Thoroughly enjoyed this book and the old history of Sydney as well.
Couldn't put it down at all heading towards the end. I just had to see where everyone finished up. Definitely a sequel here for sure.
Looking forward to reading Graham's other books now.
Couldn't put it down at all heading towards the end. I just had to see where everyone finished up. Definitely a sequel here for sure.
Looking forward to reading Graham's other books now.
June 4, 2021
Thank you Goodreads and Graham Wilson, I won the book on a giveaway. It took me a little bit to get into it. I liked it. It was very interesting on how the people had their own stories and from different parts of the country. Kept me guessing.
February 22, 2024
Started Off Good
I started to lose interest, though, as it became more and more convoluted. Maybe if I had a better knowledge of Australia I might have been able to relate.
Also as more POVs got added it got more confusing without adding anything.
I started to lose interest, though, as it became more and more convoluted. Maybe if I had a better knowledge of Australia I might have been able to relate.
Also as more POVs got added it got more confusing without adding anything.
September 4, 2024
captivating
A story that sucked me into this family. Even though some of the incidents seemed far fetched, they did present a captivating story of life in Australia. Maybe someday I’ll visit there and see this fascinating land myself.
A story that sucked me into this family. Even though some of the incidents seemed far fetched, they did present a captivating story of life in Australia. Maybe someday I’ll visit there and see this fascinating land myself.
January 14, 2025
Perfect Title
Really enjoyed reading this story. How mysteries were solved and those never fulfilled came together in such a cohesive binding was a masterpiece of writing. Would have liked closure on all, but this way keeps it on your mind on what ifs.
Really enjoyed reading this story. How mysteries were solved and those never fulfilled came together in such a cohesive binding was a masterpiece of writing. Would have liked closure on all, but this way keeps it on your mind on what ifs.
February 5, 2025
Australia
A wonderful book about life in early Australia. It is perfect for anyone interested in history. Graham Wilson did an excellent job on the genealogy of the main character. The book in interesting and engaging. I highly recommend this book.
A wonderful book about life in early Australia. It is perfect for anyone interested in history. Graham Wilson did an excellent job on the genealogy of the main character. The book in interesting and engaging. I highly recommend this book.
June 25, 2025
Mysteries about family heritage
The is more of a fact finding, family tree research story. I only finished the book because I don't like to start something and not finish it. I found the book very boring and I wound not recommended it to anyone to read. Sorry.
The is more of a fact finding, family tree research story. I only finished the book because I don't like to start something and not finish it. I found the book very boring and I wound not recommended it to anyone to read. Sorry.
July 3, 2025
I nearly gave up on this book, and although it is not excellent (for me), it was a good read about family lost and found, lives intertwined over distance and time and a little romance. I am glad I did not DNF it in the end, as it was worth the read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews