In 1915 Sydney, Jack is about to depart to serve in the Great War. Wandering the streets, he saves an old man from drowning after two youths knock him into the Harbour.
Four years later, Jack returns home, to find the man he saved, Samuel Lomond, has died and left Jack his farm at Booroomba, near Eden. Jack, struggling with his return to normal life, is grateful, yet perplexed, by the bequest. He travels to Booroomba, where he discovers Sam was murdered. Met with hostility by the townspeople, suspected of Sam’s murder because of his fortunate inheritance, and frustrated by the inept local constable, Jack launches his own investigation.
This historical whodunnit is satisfying on all levels, from its compelling mystery to its well-drawn portrait of post-war Australia.
Booroomba is a town full of intrigue, peopled with interesting characters. There are secrets aplenty, from the local – secret affairs and arguments over water rights – to the global – sectarian divisions exposed by war and Russian immigrants who carry the scars of Tsarist and Bolshevik regimes.
Jack yearns for peace and quietness but his loyalty compels him to uncover what happened to his mate, no matter what danger it puts him in.
Reviewed by Melinda Woledge
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Born in Melbourne and brought up in Sydney, Alison Booth spent over two decades studying, living and working in the UK before returning to Australia some fifteen years ago.
Death at Booroomba is the eighth novel by A L Booth. Her debut novel, Stillwater Creek, was Highly Commended in the 2011 ACT Book of the Year Award, A Perfect Marriage was Highly Commended in the 2019 ACT Writing and Publishing Awards, and The Philosopher’s Daughters was Highly Commended in the 2022 ACT Notables Awards. She began her fiction writing career with short stories, published in the UK, the US and Australia. An award-winning academic at the Australian National University, she is also a fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia and has published extensively in scientific journals. She lives with her husband in North Canberra.
Alison loves hearing from readers, so do drop her a note on her Contact page if you would like to get in touch.
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