‘Indigo Storm’

BOOK REVIEW by Amanda Salisbury

It’s always intriguing to see an author grow as they become more experienced – both in writing and in life.  I should admit straight up that I know the author (as many of you may be aware) and am a huge admirer not only of her writing skills, but also of her ability to continue to write, even as her own life has becoming difficult and demanding and hectic.  Fleur McDonald wrote this book in the aftermath of her own marriage breakdown, as she found her own feet outside the world she had always known (on a farm) while raising her two children on her own.

I have heard often how artists (those with brush, intrument and words as their tools of trade) achieve greater results after difficult periods in their lives.  I believe this to be very true in Fleur’s case (although as her friend, I wish her a very boring and happy life from this point on!).

Fleur’s seventh novel, ‘Indigo Storm‘ heralds a whole new experience for her readers – and while the descriptions of her chosen settings in rural Australia remains as clear and evocative as ever, she also explores some of the darker sides of life such as domestic violence and crime, along with the emotional responses (and recoveries) of her characters.  This richness adds greatly to the characters, and I enjoyed living the plotline along with her heroine Eliza.

Set mostly in the (real) township of Blinman, in the beautiful Flinders’ Ranges of South Australia, ‘Indigo Storm’ takes the reader through the healing process of Eliza after she escapes her controlling and abusive husband Dominic.  The book explores her instinctive and unexplained connection to Blinman and its residents, alongside Eliza’s fear and desperation, her tentative attempts to build new friendships, possible romantic relationships and a new life.  It also recalls Detective Dave Burrows, who has featured in some of Fleur’s earlier novels, who provides a great secondary storyline as the tension (and illegal activities) build.

The action (and intrigue as Eliza becomes aware of suspicious activities in the region) takes the reader through local ruins, National Parks and farms.  Not everyone is what they seem – who can Eliza trust, and who will prove dangerous?

I greatly enjoyed ‘Indigo Storm’ – racing through it to see what would happen next.  I also have a deep and abiding need to visit the Flinder’s Ranges to see little Blinman for myself!!  Nice work Fleur – this one is definitely sitting on top of the ‘must re-read’ pile!

Available (soon) from Fleur’s website and also at publisher’s Allen and Unwin, Booktopia and Amazon.

Happy reading everyone.

Disclaimer: While a copy has been provided to me, I have not been paid to review this book.  The opinions expressed above are genuine and my own.