"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." ★★★★

“Murder on Middle Ridge is a fascinating story of passion, betrayal and social conflicts presented in the context of a close-knit colonial family. At its center is Millicent, an eighteen-year-old divided between forbidden love for Josiah Broad, her father's new driver, and the unforeseen consequences of her sister Leticia's secret correspondence with Randolph Henry. While Millicent's actual affections are with Josiah, Leticia has a quiet love for Randolph, who believes Millicent reciprocates his sentiments. But the plot takes a sinister turn when Millicent is brutally attacked and Randolph is suspected after inexplicably disappearing. The family is torn apart as secrets are revealed, loyalties are tested and the web of deception tightens. Millicent's awakening and accusation against Randolph spark a heated investigation, pushing everyone to face hard truths.

Casey Walsh's writing style is immersive and highly atmospheric, conveying the claustrophobic intensity of life on the Wellington estate. The text alternates poetic moments of emotional vulnerability with crisp, precise dialogue that keeps the suspense building. I especially liked the rich characterizations: each persona is flawed but appealing, making the complicated relationships feel authentic and brutally human. The subtle interplay of social status, latent desires and the lurking threat of violence is handled with care, immersing the reader in the moral intricacies of the time. What I enjoyed best about the story was how it unfolded with both patience and urgency, allowing the emotional stakes to simmer below the surface until exploding into a surprising crescendo. The combination of domestic drama and mystery kept me interested throughout and the rich setting and evocative details gave the novel a haunting resonance that lingered long beyond the last page.

Murder on Middle Ridge is a gripping novel that explores the emotional cost of secrets and the catastrophic consequences of love entwined with betrayal. A most enjoyable read.”

★★★★★

“Murder on Middle Ridge by Casey Walsh is a fast-paced mystery that kept me turning pages until the end. Walsh included a lot of characters and suspects in the story, but the chapters titled with the characters’ names helped keep everyone and their backstory organized. I also enjoyed the love letter twist of the two Wellington sisters Millicent and Leticia. Made for interesting reading to see how newcomer to town Randolph Henry figures out who he has actually fallen in love with. Walsh’s descriptive vocabulary in the settings and dialogue was perfect for the early 1900s and makes the reader feel they are right there in the scene. The characters felt real, even the nasty ones like Victoria Naseby. Trying to guess the murderer and their connection to the victims kept me reading the book in one night. Cozy historical mystery.”

★★★★★

“An Australian historical romance with a twist. Will a murder accusation ruin their chances? This is a lovely story with quaint characters set in historical South Western Queensland. It is well written in the spirit of the era, so you can believe what you are reading. I do not read a lot of romance but I thoroughly enjoyed this book.”

★★★★★

“As a massive Agatha Christie fan and avid reader of murder mysteries, I jumped on Murder on Middle Ridge the moment I saw it. It has all the criteria needed for a good murder mystery: your detective (or detectives, in this case), a slew of suspects, and a puzzle that keeps you turning the page. I did wish that there was more backstory and emotional depth with the characters, and that the investigation portion of the story was a bit longer. Murder on Middle Ridge reads similar to an Agatha Christie short story—a quick read with a gripping mystery at its heart. I would recommend it for anyone who loves a whodunnit.”

★★★★

"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." ★★★★

“I have to be honest, I didn't think I'd like this book once I started reading. However, once I got a few chapters in I was not able to put it down! Talk about unexpected twists, turns, romances, betrayal, and a murder - this historical fiction has it all and then some.

The characters are well-developed and realistic for the early 1900s, the story line engaging with plenty of nicely crafted twists, a ton of jealousy and revenge. An unlikely trio works together to solve two seemingly unrelated incidents - the death of a judge and the bludgeoning of a young woman. Mix in a Chief Constable who wants to nail the obvious character and you have a riveting mystery to solve.

Thank you, Casey Walsh, and Library Thing for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.”

★★★★

"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, ★★★★

“On Moreton Waters was an intriguing, I would say, Cozy mystery. It takes place in Australia, yet this American reader was not confused and still found the characters relatable. I could even imagine the Australian towns, even though I've never been there. However, I did not recognize all the food dishes. Needless to say, the description and setting(s) were excellent. The dual timeline was well done. I wanted to know more about Willa and her family tree. I was excited to go into the past and the 'present' (well 2018/2019). I wanted to find out what happened next. I would recommend this to anyone, even if they don't generally like mysteries. 5 out of 5 stars!”

★★★★★

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

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

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

* Unattributed reviews above are from Amazon customers, Hidden Gems, LibraryThing, SSReviewPool and Voracious Readers ARC recipients.