Lyrebird Hill

By: Anna Romer

Narrated by: Eloise Oxer

Length: 14 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Ruby Cardel has the semblance of a normal life – a loving boyfriend, a career she loves – but in one terrible moment, her life begins to unravel. The discovery that the death of her beloved sister, so many years ago, was not the accident she’d always been told makes her question all she’s known about herself.

Travelling back home to Lyrebird Hill, the beautiful bushland property where she grew up with her mother and sister, Ruby begins to remember the year that has been blocked in her memory. Snatches of her childhood with her beautiful sister, and Ruby’s only friendship – with the boy from the next property, a foster kid she’d play games with in the bush at midnight. Then Ruby uncovers a cache of ancient letters from a long-lost relative, Brenna Magavin, written from her cell in a Tasmanian gaol. Brenna is about to be hanged for murder, and Ruby discovers that her family line is littered with tragedy and violence. As she reads, the gaps in Ruby’s memory come to her. And as she pieces together the shards of truth, what she finally discovers will shock her to the core – about what happened to Jamie that fateful day, and how she died.

©2014 Anna Romer (P)2014 Bolinda Publishing

I loved this book!

For anyone that loves a love story woven into a mystery, this book is perfect. I loved the descriptiveness of the writing. I also thought it was wonderful how Ms Romer tied the past into the present. The narrator was pleasant to listen to and presented emotion without being over dramatic. I will definitely purchase other works from this author.

surprising story unfolds

slow starting due to breathy voice of narrator but picked up once past opening chapters.

Fair for Audible

This is a really good story. And I think I would have liked it way more had I had a hard bound copy to read curled up in my lounge chair over a rainy weekend with no other distractions. But for Audible, listening while driving or at home, doing other things I found it too confusing, as well as wordy. Two main characters from different periods jump back and forth through time in their memories in different yet often similar or the same places. And not sequentially with either one. Having one character do this is hard enough when listening only, but two? I lost the love for both characters this way. And wordy...repeating the same point over and over again...I found myself fast forwarding often.

Great Read

What did you love best about Lyrebird Hill?

I loved how the past was entwined with the future, and how you think its repeating itself.

What other book might you compare Lyrebird Hill to and why?

I actually haven't read another story like this.

Have you listened to any of Eloise Oxer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Never listened to her before but she was great at all the different voices. I especially loved her Aussie accent!

I don't usually write reviews

I always rate the book and Lyrebird Hill gets 5÷ stars. This was a truly beautiful story about 2 strong women who lived over a century apart and their family. Very well written and very well researched. The narrator was excellent with distinct voices for each character and the ability to project the emotional feel of the scene. This is the highest recommendation I can give.....I WILL LISTEN TO LYREBIRD HILL AGAIN.

Delightful!! Highly recommend this book.

When I first started listening to this book, I was ready to return it! However, I'm so happy I stuck with it! The story is captivating and heart felt. The only downside (for me) was that the narrator has a very soft and breathy voice, which took some getting used to, and I did!

Excellent Writing Silly Plot

The plot was easy to "guess" and certainly predictable. Yet the writing was descriptive and at times lyrical. Maybe a less predictable plot and tighter editing would improve a mildly disappointing book.

One to remember

I absolutely love this book. The characters were fascinating including the Bush. It was touching and tormenting and worth our time.