Rhylla’s Secret
$23.50
What was to have been a wonderful year for Rhylla MacBurnie disintegrates into heartache and secrets.
After a moment of fury, her husband Robbie MacBurnie stares at his brother Greg, lying in a widening halo of blood while Rhylla and Robbie’s daughter, Kirsty, lies unconscious and in disarray.
To protect his family, Robbie, disguised as his brother Greg, hops a train to Mount Isa. The police want to arrest Greg while a Sydney razor gang seeks to silence him forever.
Rhylla is left to cope with the challenges of Kirsty’s pregnancy, not knowing if her husband is alive.
Rhylla and Robbie MacBurnie have it all: a loving relationship, successful careers, three children, a beautiful home with a live-in housekeeper, and a gardener.
Those with everything have further to fall.
In a moment of fury, Robbie stares at his brother Greg, lying in a widening halo of blood. In her bedroom, Robbie’s youngest daughter Kirsty lies unconscious and in disarray.
To protect his family, Robbie, disguised as his brother Greg, hops a train to Mount Isa. The police want to arrest Greg while a Sydney razor gang seeks to silence him forever.
With Robbie away, Rhylla is left to deal with everything alone, fabricating stories to prevent anyone from learning why her husband suddenly disappeared. Her heartache takes second place as she helps her daughter deal with the rape and its consequences. The attitude of society in the first half of the twentieth century does not make it easy for mother or daughter.
When Robbie doesn’t return, Rhylla fears the worst, continuing to keep the secret of the reason why he disappeared as she carries on with her life and raising her family.
Fourteen years later, Rhylla’s granddaughter Skye-Marie is determined to learn the answers to the mysteries woven like a hessian thread through the silver fabric of her life. Her curiosity threatens to unravel Rhylla’s secrets.
Rhylla is under pressure to reveal the secrets which have haunted her over the passing years. Should she disclose to her family the horror of their heritage or keep stum to protect them in a house of secrets?
Brisbane 1866. Lucy Dougall dies; her four children orphaned. Fifteen-year-old Sarah will do whatever it takes to keep her siblings together. When disaster strikes, Sarah is overwhelmed with self-loathing and grief. It is the proprietor of Millie’s Mariner’s Rest; Hotel and Lodging who takes the family in and offers Sarah work. Can Millie help Sarah overcome her psychological scars and guide the young girl to maturity?
Sarah’s brothers, Josh and Gus, seek a berth on the Northern Orchid, the ship on which their father lost his life six years previously. Many believe Jimmy Dougall’s ghost still walks the decks. The boys learn a coastal trader confronting the challenges of the partially mapped reefs of the Queensland Inner Channel, offers many and varied experiences.
A life is lost, another life teeters on the verge of death, another must face the Bowen magistrate.
Quotes to sink your teeth into
With a large splash, the man hit the water and sank. His body could be seen twisting and turning in the deep clear water. His head and arms broke the surface. He screamed again.
“I can’t swim.”
Everyone stood stunned trying to comprehend what had happened.
“Shark.” This scream came from the bow of the ship. Andrew’s thin arms pointed.
“From his bird’s-eye view, Josh watched the dark shadows of the rocks become clearer as the ship edged closer and closer. He began calling the distances. Seventy-five yards. Fifty yards. Would the ship never respond to the rudder? It seems to be taking forever to turn away. Then it happened….”
Everybody jumped when a penetrating scream filled the air. Daisy threw herself onto the casket as it began to disappear.