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The Orphans cover art

The Orphans

By: Fiona McIntosh
Narrated by: Ainslie McGlynn
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Publisher's Summary

Orphan Fleur Appleby is adopted by a loving undertaker and his wife, and she quickly develops a special gift for helping bereaved families. Her ambition to be the first female mortician in the country is fuelled by her plan to bring more women into the male-dominated funeral industry.

Raised in the outback of South Australia's Flinders Ranges, Tom Catchlove is faced with a life-changing tragedy as a young boy. He works hard but dreams big, striving for a future as a wool classer.

A chance encounter between the two children will change the course of their lives.

By adulthood Fleur finds herself fighting for the survival of the family's business, while her widowed father drinks away generations of prosperity and a new, conniving stepmother wants Fleur gone. When Tom emerges from the isolation of the desert to find new work at the port woolstores, his path crosses with Fleur's again—only to be caught up in a murder investigation, in which they can only trust each other.

At once tragic and triumphant, The Orphans is an unforgettable story about a unique bond between two children that will echo down the years, and teach them both about the real meaning of life, of loss and of love.

©2022 Fiona McIntosh (P)2022 Penguin Random House Australia

What listeners say about The Orphans

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great Australian Story.

Loved the characters, the interwoven lives of city & country. Extremely interesting glimpse of a rarely talked about subject. Loved the prologue by Fiona, it finished the book beautifully . Thank you.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Informative and believable

Great story, plausible with defined characters.Easy reading and the heroine maintains her status throughout.
Most enjoyable thankyou Fiona.

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1 person found this helpful

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definitely recommend

loved it. beautiful story very insightful on the era of times and shows how far woman has come

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2 people found this helpful

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Brilliantly written and researched story of Undertakers and Wool processors in the early 20th C.

Love Fiona Mac ‘s books. The story of Fleur and Tom initially meeting as children then again as adults is so powerfully written. I listened to the story on Audible over 3 days whilst doing my house work etc . Just loved it and a great way to get the household jobs done. More books coming !

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  • Overall
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The best

Absolutely loved this book. I couldn’t put it down. Will definitely recommend it to my friends

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A good feel good story

Love Fiona’s writing. The letter part did not sit well with me as too cliched and unbelievable but I get the need for it as a formula. Overall I enjoyed the story.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Worth the listening to

I could not put this book down so well read I listen to this pin just few days usually it takes me weeks to finish a book

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Good read

Thoroughly enjoyed the story and the narrator. Unusual subject and I learnt a lot from it

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Fiona delivered over and above!

Her foray into Australian storytelling proved to be brilliant!
Her picture painting with words is getting better and better.
Her research into every field she writes about is incredible.
Because she is so good it really puts me off being an author myself,
which I had dallied with.
I can see that only someone with the determination to really research so thoroughly
can pull off an authentic story, which she succeeds with such aplomb.
I read her book 'How to write a BLOCKBUSTER'. That assured me it was pure HARD WORK!
So I applaud the woman for her professionalism and seemingly unlimited imagination to
pull characters befitting a 5-star rating again and again. WELL DONE FIONA.
Great narration by Ainslie McGlynn also.
Jacqui of Noosa Australia

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Enthralled with people’s stories.

I just love the balance of marriage, history, love and education you blend seamlessly into a book that feeds me. Loved the narrator who added to the spirit of the story. Thank you

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.