Darry Fraser - The Prodigal Sister Due out Dec 1, 2021
Wow, what an amazing exhilarating historical mystery! This is the seventh book of Darry Fraser’s I have read and although I have loved them all, The Prodigal Sister steps up to a whole new level of nail-biting excitement. It is an exceptional story about identity, determination, passion and privilege.
I admired Prudence North for her strength, modern mindset, intelligence, keen interest in forensic science, her protectiveness of her family, her convictions and zeal for life and ultimately her courage to follow her heart. Being human, she is not perfect, of course, and her greatest weakness is her interest in Mr Darke: an intriguing, handsome character that we are not quite sure is good or bad. I won’t spill the beans because the journey into his identity is a fun and surprising ride.
Needless to say, Prudence is up against many odds. She has arrived home from university studies in Scotland to her mother’s passing and her sister’s illness worsening. She begins to face many enemies and has a number of mysterious encounters. Suspicions arise as she follows clues and tries to separate truth from the lies. As she deals with the questions that surface, she is plunged into more confusion. But her forensic scientific mind guides and helps her to rise above the mist of challenges that she is facing in a male-dominated police world. She has the skill but will her thoroughness and advanced forensic knowledge expose the poor workmanship of the current police force? And then there are strange goings on surrounding her father’s activities. Accusations are pitted towards him by another. Are they just plots of malice or possibly true?
I must mention the delightful interaction between well-named Prudence (the cautious intelligent one) and her old friend Merridy (the bubbly jovial one) who has come into some financial success. She’s a woman who ‘knows things she should not have’ for her time. She is without question a bold character that adds an extra dash of drama and colour to the story but she is also a faithful friend—if not somewhat self-absorbed.
This story on many levels deals with the premise that not everything is as it seems and not everyone is as they appear. Besides our determined heroine, the other women that flank her are also strong associates. Then there’s a handsome gardener and a perilous villain-blackmailer sure to keep you on your toes: if not on the edge of your seat in a cat and mouse chase!
I loved The Prodigal Sister so much from start to finish. It is finely crafted with a well-established setting, racing plot and colourful characters that will keep you enthralled. It is a bona-fide page turner. I found it hard to stop reading once I started. I highly recommend this brilliant Australian mystery set in 1900 Melbourne. It would make a great movie as there is so much tension, suspense and action to keep the camera rolling that a viewer would be glued to the screen! 5 Action-Packed Stars from me! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
