"I loved this book! Being a genealogist, the author did an amazing job. Full of intrigue, mystery and the hidden secrets of a family long gone but whose mystery is still unsolved. Willa set out to uncover what she thinks is a murder, but is it or is it more? Can she unbury the treasure of the ancestors and solve this mystery? Will definitely be looking for more books by this author." ★★★★★

"A journey of blood and buried secrets pulls readers through time in On Moreton Waters by Casey Walsh, an impressive blend of historical fiction, contemporary fiction, and mystery. Focused partially on the social puzzle and stunning backdrop of Australia in the early 20th century, and again in the much-changed landscape a century later, these female-led stories of the McPhee family are framed by betrayal, desire, desperation, greed, and violence, showing the past's indelible impact on the present. Capturing the colloquial rhythm of the region in both dialogue and narration, and weaving in a strong thread of mystery that reveals itself slowly, this is immersive fiction at its best, painting an eloquent picture of a family and a country." Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★½

"... with fantastic characterisations, Walsh's novel serves up parallel stories separated by a century, awash with humanity and precision. ... it intricately parallels the two periods, seamlessly jumping back and forth, unraveling the mystery from both the present and the past. The prologue is impeccable; it thrusts readers into a high-energy situation, skillfully driving home the core event that underpins the entire novel. Readers are immediately intrigued by what happened and why, as both the violence and the terror surrounding it are vividly portrayed. Walsh's interest in the characters and the place they inhabit is palpable; considerable care is evident in the dialogues, characterizations, and the depiction of the different environments between the two time periods. The portrayal of both modern and old Australia feels authentic, from the regional grass to the modernization of an old town." Editors Weekly, ★★★★

"Adrift in a dead end job and dead end relationship, Willa McPhee distracts herself with genealogical research. A century old newspaper article reports dramatic happenings in one family line, so Willas takes a research excursion to a small town on the shores of Moreton Bay. In parallel, the novel follows Willa's small town ancestors as they negotiate young adulthood in the years before WW1 and act out the events that leave faint traces in the historical record. As the novel seamlessly jumps back and forth from Willa to her ancestors, the mystery slowly unravels in both the past and the present. The characters are emotionally and psychologically complex and relatable, and the settings are vividly rendered. In particular, early 20th century small town Australia comes to life on the pages, thanks to meticulous research on the part of the author. The novel is ultimately about family, loyalty, secrets, and the long reaching consequences of difficult choices. Readers of small-town and cozy mysteries and historical women's fiction and romance will enjoy this novel." ★★★★

"On Moreton Waters was a really interesting read, I enjoyed the characters, the time period and setting. The storyline was engaging and I couldn't put the book down ... I had to see how it would end! Definitely worth a read." ★★★★★

"On Moreton Waters is a gripping novel that follows Willa, a young woman who is curious about her family's past and sets out to uncover the truth about a mysterious incident that occurred a century ago. The author's vivid descriptions of the place and people that Willa encounters on her journey make the story come alive, transporting the reader to different times and places. The writing is rich and detailed, with a depth of emotion that draws the reader in. One of the strengths of this book is the way in which it explores the intricacies and difficulties of family dynamics. The mystery itself is also intriguing, and the author does an excellent job of weaving together multiple viewpoints to slowly reveal the truth behind the events of a hundred years ago. The final reveal is satisfying, and the resolution of the mystery feels both surprising and inevitable. Overall, it is an exciting and engaging read, filled with mystery, emotion and richly drawn characters. It is a testament to the power of family connections and the enduring impact of the past on the present." ★★★★

"A novel about two families and secrets that are finally brought to light. It jumps from the early 1900's to 2017. Willa is determined to find out the secrets of the Henzell and Hinchbrook families when she begins researching her family and finds a murder mentioned. This is pretty easy reading. A mystery to unravel." ★★★★

"Kept me guessing, full of adventure. Fast paced." ★★★★

"Willa is researching her family, which reveals all sorts of family secrets and stories. She meets long lost relatives, which I thought was wonderful and something I've experienced as well. I was dying to know what the woman in the beginning saw, I can honestly say that what she saw was not what I was expecting ... a good read." ★★★★

"The book seamlessly moves back and forth over the hundred-year time period. Set in Australia, the writer gives you a sense of what it might have been like around the time of World War 1 as well as life in the present day. A good read." ★★★★

"Wonderful descriptions provided detailed pictures of the settings and what the people looked like. I enjoyed the little touches, like the frogs in the rain. As Willa dove deeper into the family history, and as I read more about the events and people of the past, the story pulled me right in. Overall this blend of a bit of mystery with historical and contempory fiction is interesting and entertaining. I enjoyed reading to discover the connections to the past, the family secrets, and the truth of the mystery." ★★★★

"Impressively researched and beautifully written, The Darlings of the Downs by Casey Walsh follows the journey of two Irish sisters who leave the brutal poverty of Cork in 1879 to start a journey to Australia. Covering 100 years of family history, Walsh immerses readers in the sisters' story as they carve out a life for themselves in the new world, showing the long-term effects of chances taken and missed, unrequited love, and sudden tragedy. The novel's core story focuses on the toughmindedness and importance of a strong female line, resulting in an empowering read that is immediately relatable for its universality, despite the historical setting." Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★½

"This is such a wonderful tale ..." ★★★★★

"Beautifully done. Very well written characters and amazing storyline." ★★★★★

"I liked it a lot. Love the era. Was a good book." ★★★★★

"This is a beautifully written story. There is even a beautiful romance woven through the story and then true love resurfaces in the great grand daughter! Do read for an unforgettable experience!" ★★★★★

"I usually don't read historical fiction. But this book was so good I couldn't put it down. The family's journey starting and ending the same way was wonderful. Seeing the world change with each generation was a real treat." ★★★★★

"This narrative tale of living in the outback of Australia is one of tragedy, unrequited love and tribulation ... a story that certainly keeps the reader guessing. The story pulls you in with good descriptions and character development embedded in a good tale that sustains the interest in readers. I enjoyed the inherent dynamics in the conflict between rich and poor, and due to love interests, a continual struggle the characters faced within the narrow acceptable walls of society. I enjoyed how the story wraps itself around the flower, Roisin Splendidus, and Stella's return to the Downs." ★★★★

"The Darlings of the Downs is the saga of five generations ... written in an exquisite style, with the right emotional appeal. Out of all the characters, Roisin won my heart with her mature understanding of life and kindness ..." ★★★★

"This novella of 1880s Australia was an enjoyable, quick read full of interesting characters around and in the boom town of Gympie. I loved that the setting was Australia - it added a unique flavor to this gold-rush and frontier story. Told from various viewpoints, the story painted an intriguing picture of that time and place, as well as the kinds of people one might have encountered then and there. With plenty of adventure, plus thieving gangs working at cross purposes trying to outwit each other, the story really held my attention. There were schemes, and peril, and a touch of romance, too. Overall, this novella is an entertaining and engaging read, a wonderful story for those who enjoy historical fiction." ★★★★★

"This book is well-written, and describes several historical events from the area, woven into the plot. It's a great adventure story, with elements of romance and mystery, and I enjoyed reading it. The characters and dialogue are believable, and the plot flows smoothly. Great entertainment!" ★★★★★

"Set in 19th-century Australia, Phelan's Gold by Casey Walsh is a thrilling novella following the adventures of Eamon Phelan, a charming criminal, and his gang of cattle thieves. Wih a new gold rush on the horizon, Eamon and his companions start their journey north, where he hopes to find business amid the chaos, but on one of their stops Eamon finds love instead, and none of his later exploits can get Shelagh Cleary out of his mind. Witty, funny, and playful, Walsh's novella is both romantic and full of historical detail, for a unique work of character-driven historical fiction that paints a compelling portrait of Australian settlers, and illustrates how love can triumph in any setting." Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★

"A light but very enjoyable read. This book is set in and around the town of Gympie, Queensland, Australia during the goldrush era of 1880. The writing included words and phrases from the 19th century that requires an understanding of the time in which the novel is set. A very readable novel Casey and well done." ★★★★

"I enjoyed this quick read (about 150 pages). It's fun and entertaining, and the characters are well-developed. Phelan is a thief and a rake who comes with his gang to seek fortune in a gold rush town in Australia. Along the way, he finds a lady in trouble, and he winds up accused of a crime he (for once) didn't commit. Will love win his heart, will he and his associates find the true guilty party and exonerate him, will they make a fortune? If you like historic (1880's) adventure, I think you'll enjoy this book." ★★★★

"This was a good book I couldn't put it down." ★★★★★

"Quick read. If you like historical action crime reads this is for you. It was time appropriate and detailed but not too wordy. I enjoyed it." ★★★★

"It was a great book, very well written! I loved the adventure." ★★★★★

"Enjoyable quick read with believable characters and setting. Fun trip back in time with this read." ★★★★★

*Unattributed reviews above are from ARC recipients, Amazon customers and LibraryThing Early Reviewers.