AustLit

'The extent to which the contents of this virile account of the lives of our Australian soldiers in the East will be welcome will depend largely on their appreciation of its realism, whilst civilians must revel in it for the spirited pictures drawn of the somewhat wearisome days of training on the sands of Egypt, followed by the rousing incidents of the landing on the peninsula of Gallipoli, the terrible sacrifice of life, and the heroism displayed by the Australian and New Zealand troops in their determination to oust the Turk from his practically impregnable positions. The leading characters in "The Kangaroo Marines" are four mates from the bush, one of whom is a Glasgow stoker, one an Irishman, a third a remittance man, and the fourth "a typical Cornstalk with a nut-brown face, twinkling eyes, and a spice of the devil and the Lord in his soul." With such a Quartette to depend on for the creation of incident, much may be expected, and the author has certainly not neglected any of his numerous opportunities.'

Source:

'The Kangaroo Marines' [review], The World's News, 19 February 1916, p.29. (Via Trove Australia.)

From the first instalment of the serialisation of the novel in THE SYDNEY MAIL, 30 July 1919:

"Our new serial, "Captain Jim," is by Mary Grant Bruce, whose reputation as a writer has been a steadily growing influence in Anglo-Australian literary circles for some years past. She achieved great success with children's stories, and we can name no Australian writer who has shown more sympathy with, and understanding of, the child mind. In her more mature work, of which "Captain Jim" is the latest example, Mrs. Bruce re-impresses the reader with her innate sense of literary style. Her appeal to the adult reader is a summons to the best that is in human nature, and yet there is no tawdry sentiment. Our serial is as breezy as the hills of Gippsland, where the talented authoress spent her early days. Quite recently she returned from England. "Captain Jim" is not a war story, although it is of the war period and gives glimpses of khaki. The major characters are Norah Linton, a big-hearted, fearless, Australian girl; David Linton, her father, an Australian sheep-farmer, from whom his family gels its vein of optimism and good humour; Captain Jim Linton, Norah's soldier brother, who has some exciting adventures; and Wally Meadows, Jim's soldier chum—a machine-gunner of typical Australian build and spirits. Of hardly less importance are Miss de Lisle, an English cook, and Allenby, an English disabled ex-sergeant, who proves a trump at the right time. The story rings with truth and scintillates with humour."

'With money in his pocket after making his fortune in the South Seas, Richard Hatteras has London at his feet. Running afoul of the deadly Dr Nikola, however, was the worst thing he could do. Soon, young Dick is swept up into a maelstrom of blackmail, hypnotism, deceit and murder, where his betrothed is in danger, his potential father-in-law’s reputation is on the brink of ruination, and his very sanity is at stake. What can a two-fisted adventurer do against the vast and cold intellect that is Dr Nikola?'

Source: Publisher's blurb, Chimaera edition.

'Trapped in London for two years as governess and servant under her nasty stepmother, petite and gentle 19-year-old Cecilia (Tommy) Rainham longs for the day the War will finish and her brother Bob will be home from the Royal Air Force to rescue her.  Fortune smiles on them and a much-loved aunt’s inheritance allows them to set sail for Australia, narrowly escaping the clutches of the stepmother.   Coincidentally, on the same troopship, the Linton family are making their return after five years away.

'Strong bonds of friendship form, and Billabong becomes their haven whilst they learn the ropes of station management and plan their future home.  All seems rosy until the skies blacken and a bushfire all but destroys their new life.  Undaunted, they pick up the pieces, and with Billabong behind them and help from willing hands, begin all over again.' (Publication summary)