Digging up the past isn’t easy… Sweet, funny and feel-good, the unmissable rural romance from the bestselling author of A Home Among the Snow Gums and The Vet From Snowy River.
Dr Joanne Tan is an expert in a lot of things. Love isn’t one of them.
Being thirty-something, broke, divorced and in a cold war with her ten-year-old son is a lot, but Jo’s handling it. Just. At least she is until her job at the Natural History Museum is put in jeopardy. An invitation to dig up dinosaur bones on a remote Queensland sheep station arrives at just the right time.
It’s not her first trip to Yindi Creek, but it’s not as though anyone will remember her from fifteen years ago… And by anyone, of course, she means the pilot she had that fling with. The fling that taught her she’s far safer sticking to science…
Gavin ‘Hux’ Huxtable, helicopter pilot and reluctant sheep-shearer, has turned his broken heart into a secret (and successful) writing career. But running into Jo again, all these years down the track, stirs up a lot more than outback country dust.
A missing person, a fossilised legbone and a nosy country cop force Jo and Hux together and the sparks that start flying don’t go unnoticed by the locals…
Digging up the past isn’t easy. Digging up the truth can be even harder.
Buy a copy of Down the Track here.
Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:
I really enjoyed this book – endearing characters, and just enough romance and mystery to captivate the reader. A lighthearted read for the holiday break! Ingrid, VIC, 5 Stars
I could have read this in one sitting. Every page was worth reading. has raised my interest in travelling to Winton to check out the Dinosaurs. Maryanne, NSW, 5 Stars
An interesting mix of romance and intrigue this novel is a great addition to any library. Shannan, NSW, 5 Stars
A rural romance story sets in a remote Queensland. A missing man, Dave and Dr Joanne Tan (Jo), a scientist, coincidently want to be flown to the exact same location at Yindi Creek. The digging up dinosaur bones sparks the past romance between Jo and Hux, a celebrity crime writer who also own the helicopter company. It isn’t easy to dig up the complicated past and the truth. It’s the time where hero either has to decide whether to keep on doing things the old way or change things up. This book is enjoyable to read, heart-warmer, and funny also the added bonus is the Aussie setting. Margaret, NSW, 5 Stars
A really good example of outback romantic/ drama/ mystery. Strong likeable characters with interesting backstories which continue to grow throughout the story. The setting is totally in sync with Jo’s work and makes the story all the more exciting. A predictable ending did not detract from the plot. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a fun, refreshing read. Michelle, VIC, 5 Stars
Welcome to outback Australia where the iconic annual show, the Yakka, The Western Echo, the local newspaper and the Pub are all institutions you will find in any town but in this case it is “Yindi Creek”. The major characters of Dr Joanne Tan and Gavin Huxtable supported by Maggie, the affable Publican, Ethel and Dot, the retired station owners of the dig site and the local cop Acting Senior Constable Petra Clifford are stereotypical roles but make loveable characters that you can be sure you have met before. The play between Gavin Gunn, the writer, and his character Private Detective Tyson (aka Clueless) Jones provides great comedic relief. The fossil dig, in spite of its unrealistic time and financial constraints, is a wonderful storyline and the setting is superb. We can all picture the “jump up” where the dig takes place and it shows Aussie lingo at its best. This is a much better description than a mesa which we all learnt at school. We can also feel the intense heat in the danger and marvel at the use of gaffer tape for a myriad of unintended uses. Stella Quinn has really nailed this novel of iconic outback life. Janelle, NSW, 5 Stars
Stella Quinn just gets better. I love her humorous writing. I like how she incorporated Hux’s character from his book as his own thoughts / another character. All the characters seem warm & relatable – people you would like to be friends with. Natalie, WA, 5 Stars
Stella Quinn leads us down a dusty track to Western Queensland. She has set her novel in the “blacksoil” country around Winton where she develops an authentic feel for the challenges of that harsh environment. Into this red dust landscape she throws palaeontologist Dr Joanne Tan who is chasing the elusive fossilised remains of an ancient, prehistoric crocodile. Add in a missing person, a long past romance and a couple of senior citizens who want to solve all her relationship complications while Jo attempts to unravel the knotty threads of her life. Quinn’s novel is full of humour, sweetly poignant moments and an authentic feel for life in Western Queensland. Her ability to draw pictures of small town outback living with genuine characters and believable representations ensure a thoroughly enjoyable story. Life out West is different to life in the city, and Down The Track gives the reader a chance to experience a different perspective. Characters are complex and authentic; the setting and landscape is accurately portrayed. Down the Track is a most entertaining and satisfying read. Highly recommended. Chris, QLD, 5 Stars
Dr Joanne Tan is a palaeontologist in her thirties who is broke, divorced, and in the midst of a struggling relationship with her son who is 10 years old. Jo gets an invitation to dig up dinosaur bones on a Queensland sheep station in Yindi Creek. Joanne was in Yindi Creek fifteen years prior and had a fling with a young helicopter pilot, Gavin ‘Hux’ Huxtable, and she discovered that love was scary and ran off to dig in Argentina leaving ‘Hux’ broken hearted. One of the first people she meets on her return is ‘Hux’, and unbeknownst to her he has become a successful author under a different name. As the story evolves many things throw ‘Hux’ and Jo together including Jo’s son, a missing person, dinosaur bones, and remnants of drugs found on one of ‘Hux’s’ helicopters. The big question is can they rekindle what they had all of those years ago? A fantastic Aussie Country Romance with a little mystery thrown in for good measure. If you like books by Eva Scott and Karly Lane you should definitely have a read. A big Thank You to Harlequin Books and Better Reads for the copy. Vicki, VIC, 5 Stars
I love reading Stella Quinn books and this was no exception. The Australian landscape, the Aussie vernacular, and many a giggle had. Thank you for a great read and I already look forward to your next book. Joan, VIC, 5 Stars
Stella Quinn writes a novel in the vein of Mills and Boon. However, it is more than a romance story; in the character of Jo, Stella has used her research on palaeontology to flesh out a story of finding fossils near Yindi Creek. Gavin Huxtable is nursing a lot of hurt from a romance with Jo twenty years ago. As a writer of mysteries he uses his detective skills to delve into the disappearance of Dave. Together with persons belonging to a tight knit community this is a book that I am confident will sell many copies. Cheryl, VIC, 5 Stars
Stella Quinn and rural small town romances go together perfectly and Down the Track is testament to that. When I think of palaeontologists, Ross Geller, David Schwimmer’s character from Friends, is the first one to come to mind, now though I think I have a new favourite, Dr Joanne Tan. She’s a thirty something divorcee, broke and has a 10 year old son who isn’t her biggest fan. Returning to the past in more ways than one Joanne is on the hunt for dinosaur bones at the request of two absolutely delightful old ladies know as the Dirt Girls. Gavin ‘Hux’ Huxtable is someone from Joanne’s past that she didn’t expect to encounter again but this visit back to Yindi Creek had her coming face to face with him and their past. I loved the way the chapters in this book alternate between Hux and Joanne, there is humour in Hux’s chapters and that inner voice of his is quite a character in itself. This book has it all, wonderful characters, a mystery both new and old that is in need of solving. Relationships get mended with the help of some unexpected people. I highly recommend this one! Kate, TAS, 5 Stars
Stella Quinn’s ‘Down The Track’ is a story that has it all. There is a mix of down-to-earth characters, missing people, dinosaur hunting, and a local helicopter pilot and visiting palaeontologist who were once together. This is set against a rugged outback town and the stations of Western Queensland’s arid dinosaur country. As the story unfolds, and the relatable characters reveal themselves, the reader becomes caught up in the difficulties of the developing relationship between Hux and Jo, as well as the excitement of an archaeological dig and the subsequent discoveries. A charming Australian Outback back novel which I enjoyed immensely and would recommend to those who enjoy reading Australian rural romance. Fiona, NSW, 5 Stars
Thanks Stella Quinn another great aussie book, set in outback Queensland. Dr Joanne Tan is a palaeontologist and also a really interesting character, who does not expect to run into an old flame Gavin Huxtable. If you love outback romance stories this book is for you. Deborah, NSW, 5 Stars
Meticulously researched, quintessentially Australian, loveable characters and a cute dog, Stella has delivered another knockout rural romance. She perfectly captures the heat and dust of outback Qld, it’s the perfect setting for a little mystery and romance. Love reading romance/ women’s fiction with rich deep plots. Highly recommend Leanne, QLD, 5 Stars
‘Down the Track’ by Stella Quinn isn’t my usual reading genre, but I was excited to see why rural romance has become so popular. I was most certainly not disappointed! What a lovely, heart-warming and interesting book. The main character, Dr Joanne Tan is no swooning damsel mooning for a farmer, she is an intriguing mix of palaeontologist, independent woman and slightly awkwardly geeky. Dr Joanne Tan is a wonderfully interesting female protagonist to read and I enjoyed her journey returning to an area of central-western Qld around Winton to re-explore both her previous research and her previous romance. It was such a descriptive setting, full of character-filled locals, amazing land formations and the equally interesting male lead of Gavin ‘Hux’ Huxtable. This delightful book contains many strong and interesting characters with wonderful ideas, thoughts and lives being lived through the generations in a rural outback community in Australia. It was light reading and kept pulling me along through the glorious settings and characters, the off-beat romance and almost at times crime thriller storyline. I am now a firm fan of Stella Quinn and the rural romance genre. Definitely a great read! Lisa, QLD, 5 Stars
A little bit love story, a missing person investigation a writer going by another name a small outback pub, what could go wrong. A totally feel good story written with humour, warmth and heart about the lives of people living in outback Queensland. Sally, VIC, 5 Stars
Another feel good romance from this author with a touch of mystery. It had lots of colourful characters and a great insight into outback Australia. This book was a little different from the authors other novels but overall a captivating read. Vanessa, NSW, 5 Stars
Dr Joanne Tan arrives in Yindi Creek with a son and a mess of a life behind her. Now to add even more a mystery to solve and a run into an old love who she did not expect to find. Gavin Huxtable or Hux as he is better known as also is the alias of Gavin Gunn writer, whom her son is enthralled by the adventure series he writes, means they now must cross paths in a remote setting that means much more than bones of the past will be met. Tianne, NSW, 5 Stars
Absolutely LOVED IT. As great a book as I’ve read recently. The main story was wonderful, the stories within the story interesting and adding to the book. The descriptive passages are excellent, the characters real. I loved the way the book flowed, how you were swept along with the story and the characters and how it all fitted together beautifully without being patronising or unreal. An absolutely wonderful book and I will be searching out Stella Quinn as I have enjoyed “Down The Track” so much. Trish (Patricia), NSW, 5 Stars
It’s a brilliant, well-crafted book. Young loves reunited in an outback town, throw in a dinosaur hunt, a mystery that needs solving and a secret someone’s been keeping and what’s not to love. Certainly worth a place in the bookshelf. I couldn’t put it down. Another favourite from Stella Quinn. Jacqueline, WA, 5 Stars
Down the Track (Stella Quinn) was kind a surprise to me, a really good one. It is not the kind of books I usually read, so I was not sure about what to expect. I love the story and the characters; I feel that is really Aussie and even though anyone from anywhere can relate to it. Life looks normal and ordinary at Yindi Creek, but then suddenly we have the police looking for some drug dealer and making Hux and Charlie’s life and business a mess. In the middle of this chaos, Hux is trying to finish his book and having the completely unexpected visit of the love of his life that left him 14 years ago, Jo. Now as Dr Tan, a palaeontologist. Looking for fossils, not for him. Jo is not in a good place, divorced with a son that apparently hates her and close to losing her job at the museum. Her hope is to save her career and find a way to fix her relationship with her son, not to revive an old romance with her hot ex-boyfriend, but here she is. Cintia, VIC, 5 Stars
Down the Track by Stella Quinn was a very enjoyable read. Dr. Joanne Tan is a woman juggling a career, a broken marriage, an unhappy 10 year old son, and the potential loss of her job. The story covers her passion for dinosaurs and her search for fossils, and trying to fit that in with her everyday life. There is a mix of adventure, mystery, romance, and the story is well written. I really enjoyed it. Fay, VIC, 5 Stars
This is a fantastic all-rounder from a talented Australian author. Based in rural Australia Stella Quinn has beautifully described the landscape and some of the realities of living in remote areas of Australia. Dr Joanne Tan is a smart, intelligent, and occasionally socially awkward single Mum struggling with all the things. Work, her relationship with her son and a cranky ex-husband. She is hoping returning to Yindi Creek after many years might reinvigorate her floundering career and possibly her shaky relationship with her son. She hadn’t banked on meeting up with her ex-flame Gavin “Hux” Huxtable, who is a part-time helicopter pilot and who since his previous encounter with Jo had secretly become a successful author with his alter-ego the star of his best-selling series. A good whodunnit and a bit of romance made it the perfect book for me to sit down and pour through in about four days – which is saying something as a Mum of two young kids – a small book can take me weeks! Stella Quinn is now on my must-read list, and I am downloading her other books onto me e-reader as I type this now! Michelle, TAS, 5 Stars
Down the Track by Stella Quinn is a second chance rural romance set amongst the hot, dry, dusty and remote sheep station properties of outback Queensland where a few dinosaurs fossils have previously been unearthed. Fifteen years on, circumstances force paleontologist Jo to return to the area and unexpectedly cross paths with a past love. Family and business commitments, mysterious disappearances, a successful anonymous author and the warm-hearted endearing residents of the town all combine to bring a successful conclusion to the story and solve a few mysteries along the way. Balanced with warmth and humour, mystery and intrigue, hope and perseverance the reader is drawn into the lives of the main characters and entertained by the literary character’s interjections and nourished by country town hospitality which includes a good cup of tea and prize winning scones. (Recipe at the back of the book) Belinda, NSW, 5 Stars
‘Down the Track’ is yet another exciting read from the amazing Stella Quinn. Stella lets us delve into the life of Jo, a divorcee struggling to navigate life with a son she rarely gets to see and the stresses of a job she is worried she is losing that leads her to a small rural town that once housed a man she used to love. There are many twists and turns to the novel, keeping the reader intrigued, constantly wondering what else could possibly happen and wondering how it will all be resolved. This book is an absolute must for all who love a great rural romance and mystery. Suzanne, VIC, 5 Stars
I loved this book! Easy to read and really relatable. I’m a Queenslander and it was great to read about places I know and am familiar with. The characters are great and identifiable. Anyone that’s been to a country or outback pub has met a “Maggie”! I couldn’t put this book down – thanks Stella for a great read. Eliza, QLD, 5 Stars
Down the Track is the story of Jo and Hux as they are thrown back together and sparks will definitely fly! I loved exploring the outback in this true blue Aussie based novel. I am not usually a fan of archaeology but this is written in such a way to make it fun. The cover of the book instantly grabbed my attention because I love dogs and the colour of the sky is stunning. The plot is chock block full of intrigue, mystery and romance all woven together to make the perfect outback Australia book. I feel like this book is slightly different to the authors usual writing but it is just as good! Leanne, QLD, 5 Stars
I loved this romance novel. There’s also a good whack of general drama and a nicely handled crime subplot. There’s a lot here and it’s all done well. Quinn’s strength is her appealing and believable characters and the realistic interactions between them. I was able to invest whole heartedly in them. Another hallmark of Quinn’s work is the warmth that radiates off the page. Not only Hux and Jo are treated kindly, but also all the characters who live in Yindi Creek. She sees people’s foibles in the best possible light, and shares that with us. There’s a nice solid plot here, with plenty of strands and characters to engage readers. It’s easy to follow, but feels complex and with depth. And pretty realistic, because who ever gets to worry about one thing at a time? The crime subplot was handled really well. It felt realistic while adding meat to the novel. Similarly, I liked the way the subplot involving Hux’s sister was handled. There is a lot of emotional weight to this subplot and I just dare any reader not to be affected by it. I loved this. Readers looking for either romance or contemporary drama will too. Lorraine, ACT, 5 Stars
Down the Track by Australian author Stella Quinn is a charming, romantic rural novel that I found myself totally and happily immersed in. Dr Joanne Tan is in her thirties, divorced, strapped for cash and her ten-year-old son is giving her grief, she is given an invitation to dig up dinosaur bones on a remote Queensland sheep station. She finds herself back in Yindi Creek hoping no one will remember her from fifteen years ago. Little does she know she will run into Gavin ‘Hux’ Huxtable again. This is a charming, well-written romantic read. The characters are full of life and well developed, with distinct personalities that win you over instantly and the dialogue is sharp and distinct. The story took a few twists that I was not anticipating, which heightened my enjoyment. The romance felt natural and progressed at a good pace. The chemistry between the two leads was wonderful, and they balanced each other well. It is a journey full of angst, fun, hope, happiness, sadness, and everything in between. Stella Quinn continues to make magic happen in her rural romance novels. Fans of sweet romances will especially enjoy this tale. Thank you, Better Reading. I highly recommend. Melissa, WA, 5 Stars
A beautiful romantic read that is as hot as the Queensland outback. Jo is a strong and independent heroine that knows herself and what she wants, which adds to the story. Also stars one very cute dog. Amanda, VIC, 4 Stars
A nice, fun read. I don’t usually select these titles, but I felt like reading a happy, feel good story and this one did just that! Although I found it a little hard get into the story at first, it soon became a good read I was looking forward to. I like especially how the author seemed together such seemingly unlikely topics like dinosaur digs and romance, all set in Australian outback! I recommend this feel good story with injections of humour. Margareta, SA, 4 Stars
Down The Track by Stella Quinn provides refreshing insight into the world of palaeontology. I particularly enjoyed novel story line, indicating that a woman’s passion drives her motivation. My favourite character was Gavin, a man with many hats and not afraid to express his vulnerability. Thank you @Better Reading for the opportunity to preview this great book. Matilda, QLD, 4 Stars
This story set in Western Queensland, at a town called Yindi Creek Jo, a Palaeontologist, the main character, returns to Yindi Creek after 14 years to look for and dig the rest of the dinosaur that was dug up by the Dirt Girls of Corley Station. Jo unexpectedly meets up with her past love a helicopter pilot Jo is divorced with a ten year old son, but is she ready for love again. A man gone missing in the bush, illegal drug smuggling from PNG all keep the reader in suspense throughout this book I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Irene, VIC, 4 Stars
Stella Quinn has painted a vivid picture of western Queensland, its people and life in outback Australia. Dr Jo Tan, an ’out of work palaeontologist’, travels from Brisbane to undertake a dig in the hope of finding some important bones that will give her the credit she has sought for so long. In Brisbane she leaves behind her ex-husband and an unhappy ten-year-old son. Jo has spent time in western Queensland about 14 years ago when she left suddenly to avoid Gavin or ‘Hux’. However, Hux has returned to western Queensland to solve his own family issues at the same time as Jo flown into town. Quinn’s characters are vivid and realistic, including the elderly ‘Dirt Girls’, the two sisters who own the property where Jo will start her dig and who offer her some worldly advice when they see Jo is struggling. There are several storylines throughout the book which keep the reader interested and keen to see how these are resolved. The book is a mixture of a rural romance and Australian country crime fiction, a genre so popular at present. This is a fun, easy read perfect for a holiday book, particularly if visiting the Australian outback. Jane, NSW, 4 Stars
Down the Track is a wistful look back at one young woman’s failed relationship past offering a chance to re-write the future. I loved the commitment and tenacity of the ‘dirt girls’ and their role in bringing these past lovers together. Fell in love with Hux as a character and the Hux and Tyson by-play throughout made me giggle. Jo was less easy to like as she seemed overly ‘complicated’ and I found myself often wanting to give her a talking to. The story ending was possibly a bit ‘neat and tidy’ for Jo who spent much of the book being terribly complicated. A very enjoyable, light-hearted read. Kellie, NSW, 4 Stars
Although I struggled to get into this story, once in, I was hooked. A lovely well written story that is light hearted, relatable and enticing. I ended up loving this book. Kim, NSW, 4 Stars
Another fantastic read from one of Australia’s best romance writers. Quinn draws you in with an engaging plot, well developed characters and writing that is descriptive enough that you can see the story unfold in your head but which never crosses the line to becoming verbose. A recommended read, that makes for a great weekend read. Katie, QLD, 4 Stars
Gavin Huxtable is a part time crime novelist in Brisbane, part time helicopter pilot in western Queensland. Trouble with his brother in law/ business partner Charlie, brings him running back to Queensland, to Yindi creek, in his off time! A man, a customer of Charlie’s has gone missing and the cops are beginning to look at Charlie as a person of interest! The event brings up a case from the distant past where Gavin’s sister went missing, and there is a connection to Charlie there too. Gavin pledges to do all he can to find the list man and save Charlie from a breakdown of worse! Meanwhile Gavin’s old flame Joanne Tan is back in Queensland too, trying to dig up a dinosaur. She is a part time palaeontologist/ part time mum and this time her son is coming with her on the dig! Her son is also a big fan of Gavin’s novels. Between her attempts at parenting, her hidden feelings for Gavin and her job Jo has her hands full, but maybe helping Gavin solve his case can help bring everything together? A slow, even paced read full of the details of outback life and good feelings. Cosy, great book! Kristy, NSW, 4 Stars
Joanne Tan, a thirty-something palaeontologist, broke, divorced, and mum of a 10 year old that is not happy with her, needs a life refresh. When her job is in jeopardy at the Natural History Museum, a new dinosaur dig comes knocking. When returning to a dig site from 15 years before reunites her with an old fling Gavin ‘Hux’ Huxtable (a secret author) things get dusty in the outback of remote Queensland. Stella Quinn’s novel was very informative and had some interesting facts about paleontology and helicopter flying. Quinn’s writing style is unique, sometimes hard to follow when jumping in and out of a sentence and was strange for one of the main characters to talk to himself through someone else in his head. Overall, I enjoyed the story telling about second and third chances at long-lost love and no matter how much time has transpired it’s never too late to fall back in love. Arrisarne, VIC, 4 Stars
While based around a sweet romance, this novel has more depth and intrigue than expected. An exposure to small outback town life, crime and drama and difficult relationships have been cleverly woven together in an enjoyable story. Geoff, WA, 4 Stars
This book had a little bit of everything – romance, comedy, drama and mystery and was one of those feel good reads. Dr Joanne Tan’s marriage is over, she’s broke and her relationship with her 10 year old son is strained to say the least. When her former mentor asks her to re-open an archeological dig site in outback Queensland, she sees it as an opportunity to revitalize a flagging career. But Yindi Creek has a few surprises in store for Joanne and running into part time helicopter pilot, Gavin “Hux” Huxtable, is the first. After a romantic fling with Hux nearly fifteen years ago, when on another dinosaur dig, Joanne had fled in the night leaving him heartbroken. Throw a missing person, fossilised bones and a threat to the family helicopter business into the mix and Hux soon needs to reveal his secret identity as a successful author. But digging into the past is not always easy and facing up to personal issues often presents a challenge for all of us. Will sparks be re-ignited between Joanne and Hux and will those daunting life issues of hers be resolved? Read on! Janice, NSW, 4 Stars
An enjoyable, easy read for anyone who loves romance and country. A feel good book with relatable Aussie outback characters. Perfect for lovers of Rachel Johns books. Helen, QLD, 4 Stars
When palaeontologist, Jo, returns to the town of Yindi Creek, hoping to make a dinosaur fossil find that will re-ignite her career, she doesn’t expect to bump into novel writer and helicopter pilot, Hux, with whom she had a romance 14 years previously. Can the romance be rekindled or will Jo’s prickly personality get in the way? With thought provoking themes about career, life choices and family dynamics, and having a highly intelligent female protagonist, Down the Track counters the stigma of romance novels being inane. The story also includes a mystery solving element when a visitor to the Yindi Creek district goes missing. There’s special appeal to the descriptions of idyllic Western Queensland outback scenery and the small Yindi Creek community, with its colourful local characters. I also loved the portrayal of complex, flawed, but likeable, characters, in Jo and Hux. And I smiled at the wry humour of Hux’s self-talk taking the form of imagined sarcastic comments made by the main character of his books. References to palaeontology research and the Winton district fossil discoveries make for interesting reading. Down the track is an engaging, feel-good romance (and mystery) story with intelligence. Barbara, NSW, 4 Stars
The setting of Down the Track by Stella Quinn in rugged outback Queensland is expansive, providing the reader with breathing space, far horizons, aerial views and star-filled night skies. A deep dive into the world of palaeontology and we are wanting to be out on the dig site getting our hands dirty and making the next big find. Parallels between piecing together forensic evidence for a missing person and missing pieces of a dinosaur fossil millions of years old, also makes us think of other pieces missing in our lives, usually matters of the heart, in this case it is the special connections of past loves, estranged children, missing siblings and voices of fictional characters in the heads of writers. And we can’t talk about the heart of the country without mentioning the rivalry and camaraderie of the country shows. One of my favourite parts of this book was the detailed analysis of a scone as regaled by the reigning scone champion of the district. This novel has warmth, heat and smouldering, and will leave you with a smile on your face. Michelle, VIC, 4 Stars
This was my first foray into the books of Stella Quinn. I very much enjoyed the descriptions of the outback characters and town. Even though I have never visited that area of Australia I could imagine clearly the people and places from experiences elsewhere. The description of people dressing up in their casual best for the book event was very evocative – an RM Williams moment ( NB the brand is not mentioned – just my take). The story of part crime and part romance included themes such as the challenges of co parenting after divorce; the erosion of confidence by a non supportive partner; the grief and trauma of losing a loved one and the long term impact on families. All these were woven into a the narrative of a missing person; the search for evidence of dinosaurs and the coming together of two people who had one had a relationship and the misunderstanding that saw them go their separate ways. A good read. I will seek out more of Stella Quinn’s books. Heather, NSW, 4 Stars
What a great read! The different plotlines within the story were interesting and the main character Jo was great too; well aware of her own flaws yet still immensely likeable. The interactions between Hux and Tyson were hilarious. Tyson was like a little Jiminy Cricket (conscience… or heckler?!) sitting on Hux’s shoulder passing comment on anything and everything. I found all of the characters rather endearing – particularly Maggie the publican and the Dirt Girls. The laidback sense of humour that the Australian outback is famous for was on full display in this story, which made it a most enjoyable tale. Thank you. Dari, WA, 4 Stars
Set in outback Queensland Jo a palaeontologist returns to the town of Yindi creek where she had previously worked on a dig and met Hux who she had left heart broken, this time round she is meets up with Hux again and realises she still has feelings for him, they become involved with solving the mystery of a missing man. Very enjoyable book. Michelle, VIC, 4 Stars
Along with romance, mystery and outback Western Queensland’s Dinosaur finds this story jogs along at an even pace. The cliched modern language used at times a little grating. The interaction and misreading between Jo and Hux while in parts a sign of changed times, is also age old. The characters of Maggie, Ethel and Dot add interest and flavour. The mystery unfolds slowly along with the romantic aspect. Keeping the pages turning. If you like the country life and the people who live in it, you will like the picture this story paints. The denouement may leave you with a question as it did me. An added attraction is Ronnie’s Yakka Date Slice recipe. Please try it. It is great. Fay, WA, 3 Stars
I enjoyed this story for its endearing characters, its insight into palaeontology and its setting in my beautiful part of the world. If you’re looking for a holiday read or something light and fun, this certainly qualifies. It’s like a Hallmark movie with a true-blue Aussie cast that combines romance and mystery for an overall feel-good experience. Eynas, QLD, 3 Stars
A sweet, funny book that will fill your heart and have you cheering for a second chance at love. Deanne, VIC, 3 Stars
I enjoyed this book, a bit slow to start with but had a bit of romance and intrigue it keep you interested. Sharon, NSW, 3 Stars
There were many plotlines. So much so, some of them got wound up quickly after a long lead in. Whilst the use of the voice of Huxs’ book character in his head was interesting, I did find it distracting at times. The descriptions of the country town were realistic including the scenes around the annual fair. An enjoyable book without being memorable. Deborah, NSW, 3 Stars
I was lucky enough to receive a copy of this book from Better Reading as an advanced copy for my honest and unbiased review. Its a 3 star from me, but looking at others reviews on goodreads I am wondering if I am missing something, mostly 5 stars from other readers, don’t get me wrong, I did enjoy the book, I just found it a bit lacking in depth. It seemed to take such a long time to actually get to anything, lots of talking about the dig that had already happened years ago that the main character Dr Joanne Tan (Jo) wasn’t aware of, she had been sent to do this, there was a tease of some big mystery as to why she was sent on the dig by her good friend, boss and mentor Jedda, why did Jedda send her to a dig that had already happened and failed??? I found the eventual answers to this question to be quite disappointing and not worthy of all the hype. I found Jo to be a bit of a bland character, I just couldn’t warm to her, I did like Hux, his character was well rounded and interesting, I dubbed him hot helicopter pilot, the relationship between Hux and Jo was frustrating and I feel, rushed at the end. Maggie the Publican and The Dirt Girls Dot and Ethel were great characters and made the book. I also thought the story of the missing stranger to town who was dropped remotely by the local helicopter charter owned by Hux and his brother-in-law Charlie to be quite lacking, lots of buildup, police investigation, the help of Hux and without giving a spoiler his alter ego, but the end to the story was just not that complex. The best part of it all was the rebuilding of the relationship between Jo and her 10-year-old son. I would have liked to have seen Jo’s condescending ex-husband cop some sort of blow to put him back in his place, he was a well written but very unlikeable person. Linda, VIC, 3 Stars
I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy of this book but it looks like my review did not get received, so the following is my review…..
Review: Down the Track by Stella Quinn
If you are like me and love rural Australian Romance then Stella Quinn’s new book is for you.
The story is based on the Winton and Longreach area in Queensland and involves the finding of dinosaur bones. There is a lot of history from the past with the two main people in the story. One is going through a divorce and has custodial issues in regard to her son while the other has a secret life besides the one the locals know.
Due to a mystery in the local area one of the characters has a huge decision to make in regard to their identity, which they hope will help the ones they love…..
It covers the difficulties of living in the area and the vast distances needed to travel while dealing with the weather conditions.
There is mystery and secrets revealed throughout the story and I think any one who lives in the outback could relate to many of the problems that occur.
You meet characters in the story that you can relate to especially if you have visited or lived in the outback.
I loved Stella’s descriptive style of this story and enjoyed reading it. Can highly reccomend you put this one on your to be read list if you love outback romance with a few mysterious twists…
Jenny NSW
5 stars ☆☆☆☆☆