Barra Creek

By: Di Morrissey

Narrated by: Kate Hood

Length: 12 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

It's 1963 and Sally Mitchell, the well-bred daughter of a wealthy New Zealand sheep farmer, is on her way to England with her friend Pru. When the young women stop over in Sydney, their plans go awry. Sally impulsively takes a job as a governess at Barra Creek, and when the mail plane that flew her there takes off, she finds herself left in a different world: one dominated by the overpowering John Monroe and his strict and proper wife, Lorna. Here, Sally's life changes forever. The challenges of coping with her three young charges, wild stockmen, the heat and the wet, brumby musters, and cattle rushes all pale beside a great passion, a great loss, and a gruesome death. Only Lorna knows the truth of the death and of a terrible injustice. Now, in 2003, she searches for the former governess to finally set things right and share her horrific secret.

©2003 Lady Byron Pty Ptd (P)2005 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Critic reviews

"Kate Hood's delivery is energetic and fast paced. Her characterizations bring an edgy realism to Morrissey's rugged cast. When Sally finds her perfect man, Hood is all fuzzy coquettishness, and when he turns out to be not so perfect, her voice drips with disillusionment. Hood's expressive interpretation adds substance to Morrissey's romantic adventure." ( AudioFile)

Great read, so easy to listen to

This is the first Di Morrisey book that I have listened to and it certainly wont be the last. The storey had me hooked from the beginning, I couldn't predict what was going to happen and I found it thoroughly enjoyable to listen too. No in depth thinking or anything for me, but just a nice book with a great storyline. The narration was good, I liked the different voices etc, but sometimes the 'put on' aboriginal accents and the high pitched New Zealand accent got a little irritating. This did not detract from the book though, and I would still listen to a book by this narrator again.

Barra Creek

I read Tears of the Moon and then listened to Kimberley Sun. Barra Creek is written in a similar style but I really enjoyed the fact that this book eventually brought the main characters together eventually. I am really hooked on Di Morrisey's writting even though I am South African.

Excellent Di Morrissey

This was a great book. The narrator read it well and you really felt like you knew the characters by sight. The Bay was one of my favourites but this one is up there with it.

Realistic and inviting

This is my first book by this author. I found it to be vividly written and the content very engrossing. The writer makes the reader feel as though they are actually in the outback country. Great story. The orater has the perfect voice and is able to keep the listener in touch with each character.

The Best of Morrissey

I have become a fan of Di Morrissey's books and to date Barra Creek has to be my absolute favourite.

I'm not convinced she does romance well but having suspicions regarding the male romantic leads in hind sight probably created more believability and impact to the story.
Half way through I thought to myself what can Di Morrissey do to create a memorable story rather than one that was just easy to listen to and I must say she delivered.
Well worth listening to.

Realy good book

This was a great book. The narrator read it well and you really felt like you knew the characters by sight. This is my first Di Morrissey book I look forward to others written by her.