I have been wanting to start this series for ages and am so pleased that I finally did. It is the start a saga about the Duffy family of Irish catholics and the Scottish McIntosh clan living in Australia. The book starts in 1862 with a terrible dispersal of the Aboriginals camped on the property of Donald McIntosh where the son and heir to the McIntosh riches is killed by an Aboriginal warrior. Patrick Duffy, his son Tom, and Old Billy, just happen to passing through with their bullocky team at the wrong time. They try to protect an escaping Aboriginal warrior and end up on the wrong side of the McIntosh team and the traps (mounted police). This is the beginning of the ongoing quest for revenge between the families.

The Duffy daughter, Kate, lives in Sydney with her aunt and uncle and her brother Michael. Michael meets Fiona McIntosh and there are romantic sparks. But Michael is not good enough for the McIntosh family and he is a Duffy, so there is no way this relationship can be permitted to develop.

Peter Watt has done a great job of portraying the life of the people in 19th century Australia. He includes shocking descriptions of the dispersals of Aboriginals and collection of indentured workers from the islands. The life of the privileged, and life on the frontier. Also, he doesn't shy away from the sexual depravity of some of the characters.

A really good read. I'm rooting for the Duffys. ( )