The Soldier's Curse: Book One, The Monsarrat Series

A fast-paced, witty and gripping historical crime series from Tom Keneally and his eldest daughter Meg. In a penal station for second offenders at the edge of the known world, gentleman convict Hugh Monsarrat hungers for a freedom he fears he may never again know. Originally transported for forging documents passing himself off as a lawyer, and later criminalised again for travelling outside the boundaries of his ticket of leave to visit his lover, he is now the trusted clerk of the settlement's Commandant. His position has certain advantages, such as being able to spend time in the Government House kitchen, being supplied with tea by housekeeper Hannah Mulrooney who, despite being illiterate, is one of the most intelligent people at Port Macquarie Penal Settlement. Her pet soldier Private Fergal Slattery, who is in charge of a convict crew hanging green wallpaper at Government House, is also among the kitchen's frequent visitors. With the Commandant away on an expedition,... In The Port Macquarie Penal Settlement For Second Offenders, At The Edge Of The Known World, Gentleman Convict Hugh Monsarrat Hungers For Freedom. Originally Transported For Forging Documents Passing Himself Off As A Lawyer, He Is Now The Trusted Clerk Of The Settlement's Commandant. His Position Has Certain Advantages, Such As Being Able To Spend Time In The Government House Kitchen, Being Supplied With Outstanding Cups Of Tea By Housekeeper Hannah Mulrooney, Who, Despite Being Illiterate, Is His Most Intelligent Companion. Not Long After The Commandant Heads Off In Search Of A Rumoured River, His Beautiful Wife, Honora, Falls Ill With A Sickness The Doctor Is Unable To Identify. When Honora Dies, It Becomes Clear She Has Been Slowly Poisoned. Monsarrat And Mrs Mulrooney Suspect The Commandant's Second-in-command, Captain Diamond, A Cruel Man Who Shares History With Honora. Then Diamond Has Mrs Mulrooney Arrested For The Murder. Knowing His Friend Will Hang If She Is Tried, Monsarrat Knows He Must Find The Real Killer. And So Begins The Monsarrat Series, A Fast-paced, Witty And Gripping Series From Tom Keneally And His Eldest Daughter, Meg. AA fast-paced, witty and gripping historical crime series from Tom Keneally and his eldest daughter Meg. His position has certain advantages, such as being able to spend time in the Government House kitchen, being supplied with outstanding cups of tea by housekeeper Hannah Mulrooney, who, despite being illiterate, is his most intelligent companion. Not long after the commandant heads off in search of a rumoured river, his beautiful wife, Honora, falls ill with a sickness the doctor is unable to identify. When Honora dies, it becomes clear she has been slowly poisoned. Monsarrat and Mrs Mulrooney suspect the commandant's second-in-command, Captain Diamond, a cruel man who shares history with Honora. Then Diamond has Mrs Mulrooney arrested for the murder. Knowing his friend will hang if she is tried, Monsarrat knows he must find the real killer. And so begins The Monsarrat Series, a fast-paced, witty and gripping series from Tom Keneally and his eldest daughter, Meg