Beyond the Horizon (33 page)

Also by Peter Watt

The Duffy/Macintosh Series

Cry of the Curlew

Shadow of the Osprey

Flight of the Eagle

To Chase the Storm

To Touch the Clouds

To Ride the Wind

The Papua Series

Papua

Eden

The Pacific

The Silent Frontier

The Stone Dragon

The Frozen Circle

Excerpts from emails sent to Peter Watt since his first novel was published:

‘Your books are so interesting that once we start reading them we can't put them down until we finish. Without question, you are the Wilbur Smith of Australia, and we want you to keep those great books coming this way . . . on behalf of this organisation's members, thank you for all the reading enjoyment that you continue to bring to us!' – Randall A. Brown, Commander, American Legion Post 87

‘When I finished
Touch the Clouds
I felt lost because I wanted more. Then I read
To Ride the Wind
and felt worse. Then I just finished
The Pacific
in two days because I couldn't put it down and I feel lost because I want the next book of yours already in the bookcase to read . . . I love every book you have written . . . Thank you for being born and sharing such brilliant writings with the world!'

‘Thank you for writing great stories and providing me with ample entertainment while sat in my camper van in the middle of nowhere!'

‘I'm a big fan and absolutely love your books . . . Keep up the great work and can't wait until the next book is released.'

‘I am an avid reader of your books . . . I am not exaggerating when I say that I have you on a pedestal, even over Wilbur Smith who was my very favourite author. Your stories have opened up a world of Aussie history to me and the way you weave characters into the history makes it all so real. . . . Each time I find another of your books I really get carried away and can't put them down . . . You are a wonderful storyteller and I just wanted to say congratulations and thank you for entertaining me with your stories.'

‘
Cry of the Curlew
got me hooked when I first discovered your wonderful books . . . You are my favourite writer and I have lent my copies to my friends as they too have become just as obsessed with reading them.'

‘Congratulations on your books. You are a great writer who is thoroughly enjoyed by many, many readers.'

‘When I read your books I don't feel like I am reading a work of fiction, it feels like reading a biography of real people's lives. The characters seem so real and like someone you have met in your own life. You work is so well researched that the storyline and characters seem to have existed and the events have happened. That's why your work is such a pure joy to read and why thousands of people worldwide read your work.'

‘I just wanted to tell you that over the past ten years or so I have read all of your books . . . I have always found your books to be gripping from start to finish and I have learnt so much about our Australian history . . . I eagerly look forward to reading your next book. You are the consummate story teller!'

‘You are such a brilliant writer. Don't ever stop, keep them coming. Thank you for so much reading pleasure.'

‘Thank you so much for producing what has given me so many hours of enjoyable reading!'

‘I finished
To Ride the Wind
late last week and just wanted to let you know I enjoyed it heaps . . . I loved the way you showed Sydney in 14-18, especially the subculture of pubs and razor wielding toughs. Most of all, I have to say, I loved the scenes of Sean, Patrick, Tom and Alex at war in France. The point you make about the men fighting only for each other and their little patch of dirt really hit home for me . . . Cheers and thanks again for the book.' – Greg Barron, author of
Rotten Gods
.

‘Thank you for giving me so many hours of sheer pleasure for there is truly nothing better than sipping a delightful wine while reading a good book. Don't stop writing!'

‘I am just writing to tell you how much I have enjoyed reading your books, especially the Macintosh and Duffy family sagas. I first read
Cry of the Curlew
,
Shadow of the Osprey
and
Flight of the Eagle
a few years ago on the recommendation of my sister. I loved the books. I loved the characters (except for the ones we are supposed to hate) and I loved the pictures you painted with your words not just of the Australian landscape but the characters in the books as well . . . may your life as an author be a long, happy and prosperous one. (That way we will get many more of your books to enjoy!)'

‘I have been a life-long fan of Wilbur Smith and never thought another author could compare in his genre until a reviewer on his last book recommended you. Having now read
Cry of the Curlew
and
Shadow of the Osprey
, I just wanted to say that I consider you to be, at the very least, his equal . . . I hope you keep us gripped with your writing for many years to come.'

First published 2012 in Macmillan by Pan Macmillan Australia Pty Ltd
1 Market Street, Sydney 2000

Copyright © Peter Watt 2012
The moral right of the author has been asserted.

All rights reserved. This publication (or any part of it) may not be reproduced or transmitted, copied, stored, distributed or otherwise made available by any person or entity (including Google, Amazon or similar organisations), in any form (electronic, digital, optical, mechanical) or by any means (photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise) without prior written permission from the publisher.

This ebook may not include illustrations and/or photographs that may have been in the print edition.

National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication data:

Watt, Peter, 1949–

Beyond the horizon / Peter Watt.

Watt, Peter, 1949– Duffy/Macintosh series; 7.

EPUB format: 9781743349649

A823.3

Typeset by Post Pre-Press Group
Cover design by Deborah Parry Graphics

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MORE BESTSELLING FICTION AVAILABLE FROM PAN MACMILLAN

Peter Watt
Cry of the Curlew

An epic tale of two families, the Macintoshes and the Duffys, who are locked in a deadly battle from the moment squatter Donald Macintosh commits an act of barbarity on his Queensland property.

Their paths cross in love, death and revenge as both families fight to tame the wild frontier of Australia's north country.

A compelling novel from a master storyteller.

Peter Watt
Shadow of the Osprey

Soldier of fortune Michael Duffy returns to colonial Sydney on a covert mission and with old scores to settle, still enraged by a bitter feud between his family and the ruthless Macintoshes.

The Palmer River gold rush lures American prospector Luke Tracy back to Australia's rugged north country in his elusive search for riches and the great passion of his life, Kate O'Keefe.

From the boardrooms and backstreets of Sydney to the hazardous waters of the Coral Sea, the sequel to
Cry of the Curlew
confirms the exceptional talent of master storyteller Peter Watt.

Peter Watt
Flight of the Eagle

Captain Patrick Duffy's passions are inflamed by the mysterious Irishwoman Catherine Fitzgerald, further pitting him against his father, Michael Duffy, and his adoring but scheming grandmother, Lady Enid Macintosh.

On the rugged Queensland frontier, Native Mounted Police trooper Peter Duffy is torn between his loyal bond with Gordon James, the love of his sister, Sarah, and the blood of his mother's people, the Nerambura tribe.

Two men, the women who love them and a dreadful curse that still inextricably links the lives of the Macintoshes and Duffys culminate in a stunning addition to the series featuring
Cry of the Curlew
and
Shadow of the Osprey
.