It’s 1912 and a year has passed since Trooper August Hawkins brought to justice the killers of three siblings from a ranching family in Shire County. The experience haunts him daily as does losing the love of his life, which he will never get over. His near death in the South African Boer War haunts him, the story of his time there continues from the first book in the series, so we can see how those horrors have shaped him.

The action explodes from page one. August arrives at his new posting in Colley, rain drenched and saddle-sore. A midnight telegram sends him and his sergeant riding full tilt into an ambush. August’s horse and his sergeant are killed in the gun fire. The action continues in this fast-paced story set in the dying gold mining town of Colley, NSW.

The author once again feeds our thirst with a brilliant, multifaceted plot, expertly keeping it exciting and complex but at the same time not too difficult to follow. Gus Hawkins must unravel the corruption, trickery and greed that runs deep and rife through the town and further afield. Age-old grudges, land grabs and lawlessness, arson and violence are exceptionally and skilfully woven throughout this story. The author delivers dark humour and great characters in this razor-sharp account of the changes happening when the gold rush is at its end. August Hawkins has lost his love, seen unimaginable horrors but his goodness and compassion give us an unwavering hero for all ages … one I hope to see more of.

An excellent read.

Reviewed by Alison Logie

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Pip Fioretti has a professional background in visual arts, both practice and teaching, and took up writing fiction in 2008. She has had three books published in Women’s Fiction with Hachette Australia and Pan MacMillan. Bone Lands represents a change of genre and one she’ll probably stick with.

Pip lives in Sydney, likes reading, looking at art, bushwalking, hiking, and hanging out with friends and family.

Visit Pip Fioretti’s website