Tom is a young teen convict sent to Australia for poaching in England. He is working on an outback ranch and is now a shepherd among older men. It’s a tough life, but Tom’s an animal lover. Unbeknownst to others he has names for the sheep, poultry and horses he works with.

This story begins with Tom and another shepherd working miles away from the homestead, looking after a flock of sheep. There’s been some trouble – trouble they thought they had eliminated. Tom is worried. Another shepherd named Carver is coming for them, and he is bent on revenge.

Tom’s life has always been tough, as his father was a cruel man with his fists. But he taught his sons to hunt, track and poach animals and using these skills, Tom has to outwit Carver or become another of his victims.

Carver is brutal, with no qualms about making people or animals suffer. Again and again Tom has to protect others and himself as they flee this madman. When he discovers what this monster is capable of, Tom wonders whether he’ll survive another night.

Think Wild Wild West but set in Australia. I was yelling as I was reading, “Shoot. Shoot!” Then I’d be cringing with fear again, when something went wrong. This book is aptly named Outback Horror, and horrific it is. Brutal, cruel, nasty and compelling!

Author – Catherine Jinks

Age – 15+

(Australia, Convict, Murder, Crime, Hunting, Fear, Trapping, Guns, Horror, Tracking, Dogs, Animals, Historical, Outback, Action)