Barbara King
1932. Jonathan Clarke, from an aristocratic English family sails to Australia with his wife and daughter. His only remaining asset is the cattle station, Moorooba Downs in central Queensland. Due to his unsavoury lifestyle, he lost all to his brother Henry – the family mansion and much more.To Jon’s consternation, his son Benjamin remains with his uncle and is presently employed in the shipping office in Singapore.
1937. Ben receives an urgent call from his sister Annie aged 15 to return to the family. Jon is deserting them to marry a Boston socialite and Annie is desperate. Their mother Cordelia has succumbed to a severe mental breakdown. A week later Ben arrives to find the family in disarray. His mother is absolutely incapacitated and although Ben admires Annie’s courage and tenacity, he is uneasy with her wild, uninhibited streak. She is stealing cattle from the neighbours and hiding them in a secret shangri-la-type gorge. This gorge is shrouded in a mystical Dreamtime tale and the aborigines know this place as Valley of the Eagle.
Ben’s life tumbles and cascades through a myriad of passions and fervid events that change his life forever. Mystery, intrigue, hate and revenge, and a love story like no other will sting the heart with brutal force. The beauty of the Australian bush, the wonder and enchantment of the secret gorge add an extra dimension to the joy and love of nature.