AustLit

'Ann Burton was born on a river bank the night her father tried to burn their house down.

'Six years later her sister Liza disappears while they are staying at their uncle's property. What Ann sees that day robs her of her memory and her speech.

'Ann escapes her anguished childhood, finding love and a new life away from Mallawindy.

'But there is no escape from the Burton family and its dark secrets.

'Ann must return to Mallawindy and confront the past if she is ever to be free.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Lori Smyth-Owen is balancing on the edge of adolescence but feeling years older. She has eleven brothers, nine living at home and the twins, who were stolen by Aunty Eva ... which was lucky for them because there is never enough of anything to go around, except Mavis, Lori's mother, who is so overweight she can barely move. That doesn't stop her plotting to get those twins back. She'll do anything to get them home.

'Then tragedy strikes and the Smyth-Owen children take desperate measures to save themselves ... and in so doing, discover that blood ties mean everything.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Only the strong survive Mallawindy. Some get away, but even they fight to escape the town's dark legacy. Jack Burton escaped. For six years he has been missing, presumed dead. Still, memories of him continue to dominate the lives of his family. His wife, Ellie, stands at the gate each night, waiting for him to return-until a man's body is found.

'Once again, the Burtons' turbulent history will be unearthed...'

Source: Publisher's blurb.