Review of 'Needle in a Haystack' by Karly Lane
Release date: April 29th, 2025
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
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REVIEW
First off, I love this very Australian rural cover with the rocks, old homestead relic and wallabies in the background. It hints at so many key elements in the story! The past and present come together in a twilight experience as noted by the rich evening hues that backlight the scene. This impressive cover reflects accurately what’s inside.
Needle in a Haystack is a beautifully written riveting read from the very talented Karly Lane. It has so many things I love: mystery, romance, history and suspense to name a few. As always with Karly’s books, once I start I cannot put them down. And this one is extra special. Bursting with heart, passion, intrigue and discovery. The title is appropriate, too. This historic cold case of the strange disappearance of a colonial lady named Charlotte Fairchild-Loxely, is a real challenge because there are so few clues or facts available. But it is up to our two main narrative leads, Lottie and Damian, to uncover the truth together and crack an amazing mystery that surrounds the notorious bushranger Jack McNally. There are some clever twists and turns: including a little help from one of Australia’s unique animals.
From the opening scene, we are painted a comforting picture of Banalla: one that not only shows how things are today but also how the little town has changed over the years—mostly in the use of the church. This may reflect current spiritual beliefs. But other beliefs like age old curses remain. One is held by Lottie’s mother, connected to an opal ring, that has darkened a long line of women in her family.
Also, in the first chapter, are some beautiful Australian descriptions of Lottie’s Grandmother’s cottage, complete with the smell of eucalyptus and wattle, and the call of the magpies. A real picture of peace and contentment permeates this opening scene. Again, the past and present coincide. Plus, we learn of Lottie’s love of history and know this will play a big part in the plot.
Karly informs us in her Acknowledgment notes that this lovely fictional rural setting of Banalla was inspired by the picturesque town of Uralla in NSW on the Northern Tablelands. This lured me to wander through some historical references on line to learn more about this area and its rich history of Captain Thunderbolt (Frederick Ward) bushranger stories. A man known as the ‘gentleman bushranger’ because he aimed to avoid violence in his robberies. There is a statue of him in Uralla which represents his weapon of choice, a fast horse, that carries him swiftly away from the crime scene.
Karly had a great well of inspiration to draw from and although she certainly gleans some of Thunderbolt’s characteristics, and other fascinating bushranger history, her star bushranger Jack McNally is her own unique creation. She adds lots of imaginative elements and characteristics to give us an exciting villain that takes us on a rollicking, contradictory, heart-thumping read. I say contradictory because you don’t expect a bushranger to act gentlemanly or care about his victims as Jack does. But his actions prove this when he encounters a wealthy couple on the road he has planned to rob. He acts more like a bushranger towards the husband but to the wife, he earns his gentlemanly title. Her delicate fate becomes the core search of the mystery that modern day historian Damian tries to uncover. I found this part of the story absolutely fascinating. There are flashbacks neatly tucked into the modern story-line that allows us to be transported to the past, to experience Jack McNally’s robberies, relationships and reactions.
Damian is writing a book about his finds on Catherine’s disappearance and Lottie is writing one about her family’s connections to this unusual bushranger. So their sharing of a common interest, puts them in a positive position. As they help each other, their own feelings develop into something more than they had planned. But friction develops when the demands of work rise.
I enjoyed getting to know all the characters: mainly Lottie, Damian, Cher and Hannah in the modern story line and Jack, Emeline, Kate and Catherine in the past. Love abounds in this story. Besides the exciting quest to solve the historic mystery, as noted, there is a romance brewing between Lottie and Damian. We learn, too, about the tragic love between Jack and Emeline. And his beautiful love poem just gripped my heart. Catherine’s love for her husband, Alexander, is acknowledged as well.
There is so much I loved about Needle in a Haystack. When I turned the last page, I felt satisfied, refreshed and inspired. This impressive, engaging family roots story unveils the charm and mystery of the past while drawing upon the beauty and intrigue of the present. This delicate dance of imagination and fact— created the best story possible. Needle in a Haystack is a passionate historical adventure I will never forget. An absolute must read for 2025! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Allen and Unwin for a review copy.
