A Gem of a Problem - (Emma Berry Mysteries) by Irene Sauman (Paperback)

About the Book

Emma's family never approved of her marriage but while Emma grieves for Sam's death, she didn't expect his shady activities to now threaten ruin for them all. Will her angry brother-in-law risk his own future to help bring a resolution?

Book Synopsis

Emma grieves for the short time she had with her husband on the Mary B, but she'd thought the tragedy of his death was the worst of it. Until she finds his shady activities now threaten ruin for her nearest and dearest.

Can she fix it? If she acts quickly and discreetly there's a chance her family need never know the deep pit her marriage has brought them to the edge of. Nella doesn't agree and challenges her decision to go it alone, but Emma can't face her family with the threat of losing Wirramilla.

As her search for answers leads her up and down the river lies and suppositions are rife, and with Sam no longer able to tell his side of the story Emma fears Major Barnaby is playing a double game. Who can she trust? As the Major's deadline looms, she begins to fear Nella may be right.

With pressure mounting from every direction an unexpected twist gives her one last chance to right the wrong. Emma grabs it with both hands, but she needs Daniel's help. Can she convince her angry brother-in-law to risk his own future before all is lost?

Review Quotes

A Gem of a Problem by Aussie author Irene Sauman is a wonderful historical mystery which I thoroughly enjoyed. I was also delighted to find it's the first in the Emma Berry series; I'm keen to read the second when it is published. I loved the quiet and sometimes dangerous travel on the Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers, surrounded by the birds and bush. The non-stop vigilance of the steamer crew as they searched for the many submerged sandbanks and tree stumps along the way. Emma is a strong young woman trying to find her way in a man's world - her ongoing story will be a good one. I have no hesitation in recommending A Gem of a Problem highly. Goodreads January 26, 2017

It is the 1870's in Australia. The story centers around the paddle steamers carrying goods on the Murray River... A young, rather independent woman struggles with the restrictions toward women of the era... This is a good story. Well developed with strong characters, the reader is drawn in. I recommend it. Amazon review July 8, 2016