Shepherd is a quick (but not short) story between a titular character and some bad ass dudes who are trying to kill him. It all happens mostly in one flow, with chapters, but a seamless story. I read it in two sittings. First, there's the main character, who is pretty young, but given the setting, makes sense. Then we have a dog, who, you're about dogs at all, you'll love. Finally, we have the bad guys, and I won't give away too much, but just know, they're pretty nasty. Oh, and all this takes place in Australia. One of the best places in the world.

One of the reasons it only took me two sittings to finish this, is because it's a great narrative. Lots of excitement, quickness, and oh-shitness, too.

Shepherd releases 5.22.2020.

5/5 Stars

An amazing story during early Australian colonisation with a hostile environment that brings out the good and nasty trying to adapt.
As the adventure for Tom becomes more graphic Catherine Jinks cleverly contrasts the isolation that first convicts experienced and English rule for the privileged and the no-win situation with either. Learning from a poacher family helps Tom survive by adapting to the surroundings and using his skills to great advantage managing to stay alive.
This is an exciting nail biting story that touches many ethical confronting moments still relevant today a first class Australian novel.
An independent review forText & NetGalley

spoiler alert ** 

Something completely different for me,and glad I gave it a go.
It was tense,and violent and bloody.
Tom Clay seems a nice enough boy,it's no surprise he's a convict in Australia given his background.
His care of animals,genuine love for his dog made me warm to him.
Carver however could scare the living daylights out of you.
Every time I thought we were Done,up he popped again.
I'm sort of expecting him to pop up in my next read...
Great pace,tension and ending.
Ticks a lot of boxes.

Wow! A great Australian historical setting, strong characterizations, and steadily increasing suspense all make this novel worth your time. Yes, the story starts off a little slow, but a lot of great books I've read have been the same way. Stick with it and you'll be pleased!

An absolute joy from beginning to end, Shepherd is a fast-moving, compelling and ultimately satisfying read. The setting (both in time and place) is evoked beautifully and the small cast of characters are wonderfully written, but author Catherine Jinks has a gift for fleshing out setting and character subtly, without impeding the breakneck pace of the story.
Absorbing, page-turning and skilfully written, I could not recommend Shepherd more highly.

Thirteen-year-old shepherd Tom must defend himself against a ruthless killer, tracking him through the outback in this thriller set in colonial era Australia. It's 1840, and life in colonial Australia is brutal.

This is an intense book which is set over a short number of days as Tom tries to survive by outwitting his pursuer with only a fellow shepherd (who won’t stop talking) and his beloved dog to support him. The style of writing is very evocative and really gave me a sense of how tough life would have been in the 1840s both in Queen Victoria’s Britain and outback Australia especially for a young boy on his own. It really gives you an insight into the prejudices that both prisoners and aboriginals would have faced during this period. A great historical thriller.

Shepard is a book I wasn’t sure I was going to enjoy as I began reading it. I figured I’d give it 5 chapters and see if it caught my interest.
Let me tell you you. It caught my interest.
It reminded me of the books my brother read when we were young. I would read them after he was finished.
I ended up living and loving Shepard, as I read along. The last 4 chapters had me staying up late to finish.
I think this is more of young adult book, but boy! This 66 year old grandmother can’t wait to buy it for my grandson.
He’ll be enthralled!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.

This book starts off slow, set in 1840 Australia, but once it gets going, it really gets going. I was surprised at how violent it got, it really made the story exciting. I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would!

Slowwwwww starter but then it goes straight into frenzied and frantic.
So who is the villian? Only one way to find out.

Thanks to NetGalley and Text Publishing for the opportunity to read this gripping, action-packed book. Its pace was frantic and frenzied throughout, and I found the suspense to be almost unbearable. Finally, an action thriller which truly thrilled me.

The time is 1840, and 13-year-old Tom Clay along with a shipload of English convicts have been sentenced to exile in Australia. Tom came from an impoverished family of poachers. His father was hanged for this crime, his brother killed and his mother had already died. For his crime of poaching, Tom now finds himself in a rough, brutal land amongst hardened, brutal men.

He is working as a shepherd on a huge ranch, and living with a couple of older men in a crude shepherds’ shack. He likes solitude and loves his dog which guards the sheep.

One of the ranch workers is the villainous, fearsome convict, Carver. He has committed some horrific crimes while employed at the sheep ranch, including murder. After a fight that left a man wounded and another dead, Carver himself wounded left the ranch. Tom knows he will be back for revenge, and to kill him and other witnesses to his brutality.

Carver does come back heavily armed and with two other men. Shortly before his expected and fearsome return, a new man arrived at the shepherds’ hut to take the place of a man who had been killed. This is the cheerful and talkative Rowdy, convicted of passing counterfeit money. Tom can barely stand his constant talking, as he prefers his solitude.

Intent on killing Tom, Rowdy and a third man in the hut, a gun battle ensues and there are several deaths. The hut is set afire. Tom and Rowdy must flee for their lives through the bush pursued by Carver and one of his fellow outlaws. The action is relentless and vividly described. I felt this would make an exciting movie with a couple of the most horrific parts probably edited out.

Young Tom is a great character. He is resourceful, intelligent and determined to take revenge against Carver. He establishes leadership over the older Rowdy, being more adept on the land and in coming up with some ingenious ideas to help them escape. They fear not only Carver but also roaming groups of Aborigines and vicious wild dogs. Tom and Rowdy’s reluctant partnership gradually develops into one of trust and friendship. Tragedies occur, making this an emotional read.
Recommended for those who enjoy an action story told at a high- speed pace.