Head to the Hills

Set in the peaceful Adelaide Hills, Head for the Hills by Tricia Stringer is the story of a community that is disrupted when it is proposed to build a hotel on the outskirts of the town. Opinion in the town is divided as to whether this proposal will benefit or harm the community.

Margot is definitely against the project and organises meetings and a petition to support the case of those who oppose the new project. Meanwhile her sister, Roslyn, has been given the task of ensuring that the wishes of the previous owner of the land on which the hotel is to be built are carried out. Gunther wanted money from the sale of the property to be used to assist those in need in the community. Then Amber arrived in the town escaping from domestic violence.

The story, told from the viewpoint of the three women, examines how communities and families can be split over an issue. Over time many in the community alter their minds about the issue, while others remain firm in their original decision.

Towards the end of the book Roslyn remarks to Amber that "Sisters can be complicated". Head for the Hills demonstrates that communities and families in general are also complicated and that relationships that appear strong can be fragile. How can community spirit and family cohesion be restored?

Tricia Stringer has written another thought-provoking book examining family relationships and the dynamics that make a community. Many thanks to Better Reading and H Q Fiction for a preview copy of this book.