Lucy is running her business with her brother in law Joe. But when Joe is accused of a crime, Lucy feels it necessary to find the truth.

She is fortunate to have the help of the new Police Officer Sam, who is wanting to help Lucy and Joe and find the truth to the bush rangers who are causing trouble in their sleepy little settlement.

But things aren’t as easy as it seems, with lots of misadventures causing both Joe and Lucy to rely on Sam for help.

I received this book from #netgalley for free for an honest review.

Lucy Stewart lives in the Hunter Valley, in the Colony of New South Wales and she’s running her husband’s transport business using a bullock team and a three wheeled dray. She can’t believe it when her brother-in-law Joe, a gentle soul is accused of murder and it makes no sense.

Constable Sam Donovan has been sent to Batley to investigate possible corruption, he meets Joe Stewart and he believes he's innocent and he's determined to find the real killer. Two people he doesn’t think are trustworthy, are Magistrate Martin and Chief Constable Black and he’s sure their attitude towards the case is the reason Joe's in lock-up and waiting for a hearing.

Lucy is an independent person, she runs their small farm, harnesses the bullock team, keeps them moving and makes deliveries. Lucy hates asking for help, however she will do anything to get Joe out of the lock-up, and she needs Sam's assistance. The Smokey Gang has been operating in the area for a couple of years, the bushrangers ambush Lucy and threaten her. Together they need to solve the mystery of who's the real the killer, are they linked to The Smokey Gang and what are they doing with the stolen goods?

I received a copy of Among the Grey Gums by Paula J. Beavan from Harlequin Australia and NetGalley for an honest and unbiased review. I enjoy authentic and well written Australian fiction, Ms. Beavan makes you feel like you’re in New South Wales in 1842, the language and sayings are appropriate for the time and so is the plot. I could easily picture in my mind the dense scrub, gum trees and spookiness of the uncleared bushland. Based around true facts of women who were bullock drivers, gangs of bushrangers and life in colonial Australia.

The story has elements of suspense, mystery, danger, secrets, blackmail and combine this with Lucy's determination and never give up attitude and it's a believable scenario. The characters make the narrative, I really liked Lucy and Sam, Joe and Bill Wright, Sophia and George Harcourt, Splinter Lucy’s dog and Sam’s horse Ramses.

Five stars from me, Lucy got on with things without making a fuss and she’s a strong person and Sam Donovan is a swoon worthy hero and he made my heart flutter. I highly recommend Among the Grey Gums and the author's debut novel Daughter of the Hunter Valley.