Compelling Historical Mystery from Down Under—The Milliner of Bendigo, by Darry Fraser

From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress:

G’day dear readers. I am opening with a greeting in the Australian vernacular, even though I am a Yank who should know better than to try to be clever. It’s all due to the book that I want to introduce to you today—The Milliner of Bendigo, by bestselling historical mystery and adventure author Darry Fraser.

To give you some context, The Milliner of Bendigo is set in the 1890s gold rush boom town of Bendigo, about 95 miles north of Melbourne, Australia. Fraser has crafted a richly detailed story of the time and area. The spirited and independently minded heroine, Evie Emerson, is sure to capture your heart.

Author Darry Fraser was highly recommended to me by two online historical novel enthusiasts who are experts in the Australian fiction genres: Helen of Great Reads and Tea Leaves, and author Theresa Smith, and I am so glad that they did.

If you would like to explore a new-to-you historical novel set down under, I highly recommend all of Fraser’s clever and compelling novels. The author has generously shared an exclusive excerpt from The Milliner of Bendigo to whet your appetite.

Enjoy!

Best, LA

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Trouble with the law, a missing sister, and a growing attachment to the wrong man – Evie Emerson has a dangerous path ahead of her… an exciting and twisty historical mystery and adventure from a bestselling Australian author.

1898: Bendigo, Victoria

Evie Emerson has worked hard to build a fashionable clientele for her hats. But when an ex-paramour employs underhanded tactics after his attempt to coerce an engagement fails, Evie’s reputation is in tatters. On the heels of having to put a case together to defend herself in court, Evie’s life is thrown into further turmoil when the disappearance of her sister takes her to Cobram.

Roving reporter Fitzmorgan O’Shea has troubles of his own: his involvement in uncovering police corruption has placed a target on his back. And while Fitz is hunting a new story in Cobram his problems collide with Evie’s when his research exposes malicious intimidation and threats designed to make local landholders give up their properties.

For Raffety Dolan, he accepted long ago it’s Fitz Evie loves – and his feelings will remain unrequited. But when a disgraced ex-policeman comes searching for revenge, Raff is ready to go save his friends.

There, on the banks of the mighty Murray, with so much misunderstood history and secrets between the three friends – plus the legitimate threat of being shot at – will they survive long enough to discover the truth?

PRAISE FOR THE MILLINER OF BENDIGO

“Fraser’s excellent research makes the reader feel like they are actually back in 1898 with her richly detailed settings: bustling train stations and port docks, flies and dust…”— GLAM Adelaide
“This is another brilliant novel from Darry Fraser that takes us into the heart of Riverland and gold-nurtured town life. The Milliner of Bendigo contains a compelling plot with a strong female lead. Trains and paddle steamers criss cross over this story’s fabric and drop us off on solid ground in an authentic setting. There’s sadness and loss but also healing and progress. Filled with history, mystery, and mayhem—it is one glorious ride into the past! A 5 Star Extravaganza!”— Cindy L. Spear
“Darry Fraser is at the top of her game with her latest Australian historical fiction writing, in fact, I think this may be her best yet!”— Helen, Great Reads and Tea Leaves

EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT

Evie locked the front door, the key confounding her until she steadied her hand. Thank all the gods that Edwin had gone— although she could see he was slinking around in the street aiming glares at her house. What a nuisance he was becoming. At least the port wine stain at the hearth should come up if she was quick about spreading salt on it.

Turning and looking down the hallway, and despite the setting wine stain in the parlour, she lingered. It was lined with beautifully crafted hats—even if I do say so myself—that were hanging on hooks and ready for sale. Her millinery, her passion, the only real thing of her own, of herself. Trailing a hand along the last few, she came to a stop at her very favourite and whispered, ‘How lovely you are.’

So extravagant her design, so expensive, she had purchased this one for herself from Mrs Downing. She’d crafted it on a wide brimmed straw shell, wrapped the crown in loose layers of ivory organza, and stitched in an enormous duck-egg blue plume that trailed at the back. Then she’d added a peony-tinged bloom, a magenta silk bow, and a couple of gorgeous smaller feathers in a coral and voilà, a spectacular statement piece.

It would be lovingly packed later today into the large deep hat box in her room custom made for it.

She headed for the kitchen. Catching her breath, she leaned on the bench under the window. Her heart rate had climbed, and an intermittent tremble assailed her. She shouldn’t have had him in her house, alone. Still, she was fine. Mostly.

Fitz O’Shea’s voice rang in her head. ‘Evie, at times you can be a veritable tempest.’ She had to laugh at that; she didn’t feel a tempest now.

Evie and Fitz hadn’t parted company in high emotion, but it had been so unlike the last half hour with Edwin. Theirs had been mutual, civilised, and with the best intent: their friendship staying intact.

‘It’s not a good idea for us to marry, after all, is it?’ Fitz had said.

‘It’s not. There’s no need.’

‘I’m so glad we agree.’

‘Yes, we’re friends, after all. We’ll remain friends.’

The relief had been palpable for both. In fact, Fitz had been so relieved he’d fled the town at the speed of light. It might have been mortifying if she hadn’t felt the same. Off he went, pursuing life as a roving reporter, cheery as you like. Next thing, his good friend, the enigmatic, silent Raff, left town too.

Fitz and Raff. Fitz was tallish, straight limbed, well built. Lean but solid; his clothes fit well, his gait was confident. He turned heads. His nondescript brown hair was always tousled, and his warm hazel eyes glinted with mischief.

Raff was a little taller, and broad, thanks to his mother’s Nordic heritage. Those green eyes had come from somewhere … Perhaps from his paternal Irish forebears who’d muscled in, also bestowing him hair as dark as the espresso coffee Mrs Bartoletti up the road loved.

The two men were very different in temperament, and in the way they saw the world. Fitz was a ‘pen is mightier than the sword’ man, someone who set off on quests to out evil wherever it was, armed only with an inkpot and nib. Brave enough, clever with words, and always after a cause, always chasing a story. Although sometimes, he was the one being chased.

Raff loved home and hearth, the fresh air, his family, his work, his friends. If there was a wrong, he’d right it, there and then. Fitz had told her that even though Raff wasted no time clobbering a threat, he was never malicious, or drunk when he acted, and Fitz had often been better off because of it. Raff was proud yet humble, solid and dependable, decisive. Honourable. He was the one always around to pick up the pieces that Fitz managed to scatter.

Honourable.

Raff had been a warm presence in their company. And once— only once—for a split second she thought she’d seen something else in his unguarded glance at her, a moment’s cool appraisal.

Her chest clunked. Fitz’s best friend, Evie, she scolded. Don’t keep fooling yourself on a whim. Besides, he’d never approached her for himself. He’d only ever extended the hand of friendship, and always while in Fitz’s company. And she certainly hadn’t been about to come between two such friends on a flight of imagination.

Chapter 2, pages 10-12

AUTHOR BIO

Darry Fraser lives on the beautiful Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia, very close to the mighty River Murray.

Currently she writes empowering, feminist adventure fiction set in Australian history including Daughter of the Murray, Where the Murray River Runs, and her latest release The Milliner of Bendigo. She has been published annually with HarperCollins Australia since 2016.

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