Thornwood House - Simon & Schuster book review

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Thornwood House - Simon & Schuster book review :
4.32 out of 5 based on 33 reviews.

When you’re all that stands between the murderous past and the fate of those you love, how far would you go to save them?

When Audrey Kepler inherits an abandoned homestead in rural Queensland she jumps at the chance to escape her loveless existence in the city and make a fresh start. In a dim back room of the old house she discovers the crumbling photo of a handsome World War II soldier – Samuel Riordan, the homestead’s former occupant – and soon finds herself becoming obsessed with him. But as Samuel’s story unravels, Audrey discovers that he was accused of killing a young Aboriginal woman upon his return from the war in 1944. When she learns that other unexplained deaths have occurred in recent years – one of them a young woman with injuries echoing those of the 1944 victim – she begins to suspect that the killer is still very much alive. And now Audrey – thanks to her obsessive need to uncover the past – has provided him with good reason to want to kill again.

Thornwood House, written by Anna Romer, is a brand new release from Simon & Schuster.

Available in paperback where all good books are sold for $24.99.  Also available as an ebook for $13.99.

Find out more about Thornwood House here.


Published 12th August 2013


  • loved it..

    I thoroughly enjoyed this book from first to last page..Love the great detail and explanation of places and people . Easy to read . Great author. Not so long that you get uninterested like some book. I would definitely recommend for young and old. My friend is currently reading it now and is also enjoying it.. thanks for the opportunity ..
    Did you enjoy this book?
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    Would you read more books from this author?


  • Thornwood House

    I absolutely loved this book! I wasn't selected for the review, but the book really appealed to me so I went and bought the ebook. It took me only just over a day read the book (and that is with a 12 month old running around).... I just couldn't put it down. I enjoyed the story, thought it was well written, I loved the main character. I rarely find books that I can't put down and this was one of them.
    Did you enjoy this book?
    Do you enjoy reading Australian stories?
    Would you recommend to a friend?
    Would you read more books from this author?


  • Aweaome reading

    Anna Romer captured me with this book from the very first page. Written in detail always explaning, like for example; blinking, I tried to move, but my arms and legs refused to obey; they were skewed under me useless. The chracters are interesting. Setting the story in australia is also what captured my attention, the description of magpie creek, the house made you feel really like you were Audrey in the book. Thankyou Mouth Of Mums for choosing me for this review, good to read a great aussie set novel. Cannot wait to read more from Anna Romer
    Did you enjoy this book?
    Do you enjoy reading Australian stories?
    Would you recommend to a friend?
    Would you read more books from this author?


  • Hire a babysitter

    Do not open this book until you have

    1:hired a babysitter for the duration

    2:cooked and frozen enough meals for everyone

    3:taken the phone off the hook.

    I can assure you any interruption will be very frustrating. You will not want to put it down!
    Did you enjoy this book?
    Do you enjoy reading Australian stories?
    Would you recommend to a friend?
    Would you read more books from this author?


  • Thornwood House

    I just received the book today and am up to page 15 so far and really enjoying it. Its hard to put down but I am promising myself I can read more later once all the house chores are done :) One of the things I love about Australian Books are the familiar place names and when describing bushland it is easy to get the picture. The Author is excellent with words and it is an easy read
    Did you enjoy this book?
    Do you enjoy reading Australian stories?
    Would you recommend to a friend?
    Would you read more books from this author?


  • gave to mum for xmas

    She loved it, said it was a beautiful story and the first Australian story she's read being from nz
    Did you enjoy this book?
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  • Just started

    I have just started reading this and recommended it too to my book club this month and I am really enjoying the book so far. I have not read any books by Anna Romer before and so far I really like her use of descriptive writing conjuring up vivid pictures for the reader. I think it will be an enjoyable book.
    Did you enjoy this book?
    Do you enjoy reading Australian stories?
    Would you recommend to a friend?
    Would you read more books from this author?


  • OMG!!!! Read this book!!

    OMG!! I could not put this book down. Thornwood House had me hooked from the first chapter. Anna Romer is so descriptive when she writes and she is able to paint a picture in your mind that makes you feel like your the one running through the bush. I would happily recommend this book to anyone who wanted a great book to read. I can't wait to read more from Anna Romer :)
    Did you enjoy this book?
    Do you enjoy reading Australian stories?
    Would you recommend to a friend?
    Would you read more books from this author?


  • Thornwood House

    I loved this book, I couldn't put it down. The climax was excellent as she didn't give too much away and had me guessing. She goes into a lot of detail mentioning things for each of the senses. Sometimes this can be a little too much. I have already recommended this book and handed my copy on for a friend to read. I look forward to reading more of Anna's books in the future. Thank you MOM for the chance the review this book
    Did you enjoy this book?
    Do you enjoy reading Australian stories?
    Would you recommend to a friend?
    Would you read more books from this author?


  • Thornwood House

    I really enjoyed this book. It was hard to get into at the start and she can be quite over-descriptive, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am looking forward to more books from her. Thank you Mouths of Mums for my first review product, a wonderful Australian novel that I enjoyed very much.
    Did you enjoy this book?
    Do you enjoy reading Australian stories?
    Would you recommend to a friend?
    Would you read more books from this author?


  • gave to mum for xmas

    She loved it, said it was a beautiful story and the first Australian story she's read being from nz
    Did you enjoy this book?
    Do you enjoy reading Australian stories?
    Would you recommend to a friend?
    Would you read more books from this author?


  • Just started

    I have just started reading this and recommended it too to my book club this month and I am really enjoying the book so far. I have not read any books by Anna Romer before and so far I really like her use of descriptive writing conjuring up vivid pictures for the reader. I think it will be an enjoyable book.
    Did you enjoy this book?
    Do you enjoy reading Australian stories?
    Would you recommend to a friend?
    Would you read more books from this author?


  • Rich Australian imagery

    I always enjoy a well composed novel that has an effortless ability to conjure the sounds, scents and textures of an atmosphere. Anna Romer engages her readers with eloquent language and a rich visual imagery. Australian novels will always hold a special place in my hear (and bookshelf) and this is no expectation, I have no hesitation recommending this passionate tale.
    Did you enjoy this book?
    Do you enjoy reading Australian stories?
    Would you recommend to a friend?
    Would you read more books from this author?


  • hard to put down

    Great story to read especially in rainy nights when all you really want to do is to snuggle with a blanket in a couch drinking nice hot chocolate. Its a good read and definitely hard to put down. The story line is different from other story lines used in other books. It makes it interesting. The characters have great personality that just draws the readers to the story and to the lives of the characters. Will re-read again and will tell friends to buy this book because I am not sharing. hahah
    Did you enjoy this book?
    Do you enjoy reading Australian stories?
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    Would you read more books from this author?


  • so good

    This book is really really good, I really felt if engaged me a lot, I found It very difficult to put down, had to be reading it all the time, really annoyed the crap out of my hubby! which made it even better,

    very good story , would be happy to read it again!
    Did you enjoy this book?
    Do you enjoy reading Australian stories?
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    Would you read more books from this author?


  • Wonderful read

    I love that this book is set in Queensland and has Aboriginal heritage with it as well. It incorporates a little of everything and being 1944 there is war as well as struggles to be had. it is the type of story that you don't want to put down until the end
    Did you enjoy this book?
    Do you enjoy reading Australian stories?
    Would you recommend to a friend?
    Would you read more books from this author?


  • Novel with a little bit of everything.

    Thornwood House keeps you on the edge of your seat all the way through - there is a little bit of everything in this novel - love, mystery, murder, war and history. The characters are not your usual run of the mill ones - a real mix which made the story all the more interesting.
    Did you enjoy this book?
    Do you enjoy reading Australian stories?
    Would you recommend to a friend?
    Would you read more books from this author?


  • Hire a babysitter

    Do not open this book until you have

    1:hired a babysitter for the duration

    2:cooked and frozen enough meals for everyone

    3:taken the phone off the hook.

    I can assure you any interruption will be very frustrating. You will not want to put it down!
    Did you enjoy this book?
    Do you enjoy reading Australian stories?
    Would you recommend to a friend?
    Would you read more books from this author?


  • This books cover makes you want to see whats inside.

    There is nothing hard about these recipes which is always a bonus but the recipes are exciting. They don’t require a lot of special ingredients which once again is a bonus but the end results are amazing. I unfortunately haven’t had time to make any, however I do have a list of which ones I will be making. They include, Korean braised chicken with rice noodles, Lahmacun ( Turkish Pizza) and Strawberry Layer Cakes. Yum Yum Yum . thanks
    Did you enjoy this book?
    Do you enjoy reading Australian stories?
    Would you recommend to a friend?
    Would you read more books from this author?


  • Thornwood House

    I absolutely loved this book! I wasn't selected for the review, but the book really appealed to me so I went and bought the ebook. It took me only just over a day read the book (and that is with a 12 month old running around).... I just couldn't put it down. I enjoyed the story, thought it was well written, I loved the main character. I rarely find books that I can't put down and this was one of them.
    Did you enjoy this book?
    Do you enjoy reading Australian stories?
    Would you recommend to a friend?
    Would you read more books from this author?


  • Couldn't put it down!

    I loved this book. It drew you in and made you apart of the story, so much so that I felt almost lost once I finished the book. Time just flew past, and before I knew it I was deep into the story, lies, deception and danger. I love how unexpected the ending was! I envisioned it completely different, but it was pleasantly surprising.
    Did you enjoy this book?
    Do you enjoy reading Australian stories?
    Would you recommend to a friend?
    Would you read more books from this author?


  • OMG!!!! Read this book!!

    OMG!! I could not put this book down. Thornwood House had me hooked from the first chapter. Anna Romer is so descriptive when she writes and she is able to paint a picture in your mind that makes you feel like your the one running through the bush. I would happily recommend this book to anyone who wanted a great book to read. I can't wait to read more from Anna Romer :)
    Did you enjoy this book?
    Do you enjoy reading Australian stories?
    Would you recommend to a friend?
    Would you read more books from this author?


  • Aweaome reading

    Anna Romer captured me with this book from the very first page. Written in detail always explaning, like for example; blinking, I tried to move, but my arms and legs refused to obey; they were skewed under me useless. The chracters are interesting. Setting the story in australia is also what captured my attention, the description of magpie creek, the house made you feel really like you were Audrey in the book. Thankyou Mouth Of Mums for choosing me for this review, good to read a great aussie set novel. Cannot wait to read more from Anna Romer
    Did you enjoy this book?
    Do you enjoy reading Australian stories?
    Would you recommend to a friend?
    Would you read more books from this author?


  • Great read, couldn't put it down.

    Wow, loved this book. It just kept twisting and turning and evolving. I enjoyed as the descriptions of places and the different time frames that Anna jumped back and forth through. I just wanted to keep reading to learn more about each of the characters and their intertwined lives and how they all linked in to each others, with lots of little surprises on the way. Looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.
    Did you enjoy this book?
    Do you enjoy reading Australian stories?
    Would you recommend to a friend?
    Would you read more books from this author?


  • Thornwood House

    I loved this book, I couldn't put it down. The climax was excellent as she didn't give too much away and had me guessing. She goes into a lot of detail mentioning things for each of the senses. Sometimes this can be a little too much. I have already recommended this book and handed my copy on for a friend to read. I look forward to reading more of Anna's books in the future. Thank you MOM for the chance the review this book
    Did you enjoy this book?
    Do you enjoy reading Australian stories?
    Would you recommend to a friend?
    Would you read more books from this author?


  • Thornwood House

    I really enjoyed this book. It was hard to get into at the start and she can be quite over-descriptive, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am looking forward to more books from her. Thank you Mouths of Mums for my first review product, a wonderful Australian novel that I enjoyed very much.
    Did you enjoy this book?
    Do you enjoy reading Australian stories?
    Would you recommend to a friend?
    Would you read more books from this author?


  • i have read more into the book now, it is fantastically written Anna Romer really writes in detail so you can imagine in your head what is really happening. The way she describes Australia makes it sound like such a nice country. The storyline is interesting a bit of a mystery and the characters are good too. Will post more when i finish
    Did you enjoy this book?
    Do you enjoy reading Australian stories?
    Would you recommend to a friend?
    Would you read more books from this author?


  • Great read

    Now I'm further into this book I am not disappointed. I'm enjoying the fast paste storyline that keeps you enthralled with lots of mystery and drama. The characters and setting are described colourfully and descriptively. I find it hard to put the book down as I want to find out what the family mystery is. I like how the author writes from different characters perspectives.
    Did you enjoy this book?
    Do you enjoy reading Australian stories?
    Would you recommend to a friend?
    Would you read more books from this author?


  • thornwood house

    Even though it was initially slow to set the scene this book managed to grab my attention with it's well built characters and sense of intrigue. I managed to finish this book in a day,after a slow start the momentum of the text held my interest. I guessed the ending and was easily encourage to care for the characters by the writer's skill. The main characters were not initially lovable but developed at the book did.I would recommend this text to my older patients as most of the younger ones prefer to read scifi and romance for some reason and would probably sneer at steering towards this Australian setting thriller.
    Did you enjoy this book?
    Do you enjoy reading Australian stories?
    Would you recommend to a friend?
    Would you read more books from this author?


  • loved it..

    I thoroughly enjoyed this book from first to last page..Love the great detail and explanation of places and people . Easy to read . Great author. Not so long that you get uninterested like some book. I would definitely recommend for young and old. My friend is currently reading it now and is also enjoying it.. thanks for the opportunity ..
    Did you enjoy this book?
    Do you enjoy reading Australian stories?
    Would you recommend to a friend?
    Would you read more books from this author?

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Mopping isn’t exactly the chore most of us look forward to, but like most mums, for Katrina Macilroy, it’s unavoidable.

With three teenagers, a husband, a dog, two cats and timber flooring throughout most of her home, there’s plenty to keep her mop busy.

“I thought the toddler stage was hard, but teenagers take it to a whole other level,” Katrina told Mouths of Mums.

She describes herself as a ‘full-time Uber driver’ for her three kids, but when she’s home, she may as well be a full-time cleaner.

Her husband is a concreter, the family has plenty of sand coming inside and, with teenagers touching everything, the floors quickly show the evidence of a full family life.

“I have to mop like every second day because the floor gets marks,” she said.

So when Katrina was given the chance to try the Vileda Easy Wring & Clean TURBO Mop & Bucket Set, she was keen to see whether it could actually make one of her least favourite cleaning tasks any easier.

“I didn’t have high hopes for it to start with, because I’ve used spin mops before and I’d been disappointed,” she admitted.

But it didn’t take long for her to change her mind. One of the first things Katrina noticed was just how easy the mop was to use.

Person using the Vileda Easy Wring & Clean TURBO mop system.

The foot pedal made wringing the mop quick and simple, without having to stop and fiddle with anything.

“It was so easy to spin it,” she says. “It wasn’t like you’re spinning it for hours or anything.”

She was also impressed by how quickly the mop itself could be put together, and the simple button that releases the mop head for washing.

“That simple press notion, everyone can do that. So I love that.”

It’s The Little Things That Add Up

For Katrina, who regularly finds herself cleaning up after a busy family, these little details made a surprisingly big difference. She also loved the triangular mop head, particularly when it came to getting into the corners and edges that her previous mop struggled with.

“The triangle design makes it easy to get into all the little corners,” she says.

But ultimately, the big question was whether it actually cleaned her floors. Katrina’s answer was an enthusiastic yes.

“My floor has never been so clean,” she says.

Katrina was also surprised by how light and manoeuvrable the mop felt, because at just 4’11”, she says mopping can sometimes be an uncomfortable job.

“I’m not a tall person, so trying to mop is always just a horrible experience.”

Person carrying the Vileda Easy Wring & Clean TURBO mop system.

But she found the Vileda Easy Wring & Clean TURBO Mop & Bucket Set easy to move around and able to go in different directions without feeling heavy or awkward.

And it wasn’t just the mop itself that won Katrina over. She says the bucket design solved one of her biggest mopping frustrations: accidentally tipping the bucket over.

With timber floors, getting too much water onto the floor is something she tries hard to avoid. “The amount of mop buckets I’ve tipped over and just gone everywhere,” she says.

That can turn a simple cleaning job into another mess to deal with, particularly when you’re suddenly scrambling for towels and a dry mop head.

But Katrina says the Vileda bucket feels much more stable because of its design.

And for someone who mops as often as she does, she says that has saved her time. “This thing has saved me so much time, I can’t get over it.”

The Only Mop You’ll Need

Katrina also admits that she’d previously convinced herself she needed a steam mop. She even bought one, only to discover that plugging it in every time she wanted to clean wasn’t exactly appealing.

“You have to plug it in like a vacuum. Like, that’s not fun, I don’t want to do that.”

After trying the Vileda, she says she’s no longer convinced she needs one.

“Why do you need a steam mop when you can get this one?”

For Katrina, the combination of being lightweight, easy to wring, simple to manoeuvre and able to get into those awkward corners has made mopping feel much less frustrating. And despite going into the trial with low expectations, she’s now very happy to recommend it.

“I’m not trying to sell you a product, but I’m just saying that I’m very impressed with it. It’s really good.”

Her final verdict?

“It’s been really, really good. Recommend!”

This Real Story was provided as part of a paid sponsorship opportunity. Katrina was chosen to share her story because she was sent out and tried the Vileda Easy Wring & Clean TURBO Mop & Bucket Set, and genuinely loved it! And Vileda is so confident they’ve made the best spin mop ever, they’re backing the new & improved Easy Wring & Clean TURBO with a 5 Year Guarantee. 

  • This mop so good and the views all are positive so I just purchased one on milkrun through Woolworths and it come with 2 mop head refills. Can’t wait to use it.

    Reply

  • Yes, I couldn’t agree more. The Vileda spin mop is by far my favourite mop for a good thorough clean at home. I even got the landlords to purchase one for the holiday house I clean to make cleaning a breeze and get the job done properly. I always grab a spare when they’re out for half price.

    Reply

  • Ah, I received a ‘you’re a finalist’ email from MoM for this fantastic mop but didn’t receive anything beyond that. I was looking forward to giving this a try to compare the three existing options I have but alas. Looks good, fingers crossed I can try it in the near future!

    Reply

  • Omg! Yes! With 4 dogs and 4 teens AND the guests they bring home with them LOL our timber floors and tiles don’t stand a chance! I would love to see them add some wheels to the bottom of the bucket so that you don’t have to carry the bucket around with you.

    Reply

  • I feel like I really need to try out this mop now!!

    Reply

  • This sounds like an excellent mop that makes cleaning so easy! I love a product that not only is as effective as advertised but makes a job less grueling. I gotta say though, a steam mop that plugs in sounds like an awful idea. I have a tineco floor mop, which is cordless and charges at a base, and it’s incredible on my white tiles.

    Reply

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