The Moon Gate.
Out Now in hardback, paperback,
ebook & audio.
A faded photograph. An abandoned house. A wartime mystery buried forever.
Discover a mesmerising story of love, war, and a mystery that ensnares three generations, moving between Tasmania, London, and Kerry in 1939, 1974 and 2004. Perfect for fans of Natasha Lester, Kate Morton, and Lucinda Riley
1939: On the eve of war, young English heiress Grace Grey travels from London to the wilderness of Tasmania. Coaxed out of her shell by the attentions of her Irish neighbour, Daniel - Grace finally learns to live. But when Australian forces are called to the frontline, and Daniel with them, he leaves behind a devastating secret which will forever bind them together.
1974: Artist Willow Hawkins, and her new husband, Ben, can't believe their luck when an anonymous benefactor leaves them a house on the remote Tasmanian coast. Confused and delighted, they set out to unmask Towerhurst's previous owner - unwittingly altering the course of their lives.
2004: Libby Andrews has always been sheltered from the truth behind her father Ben's death. When she travels to London and discovers a faded photograph a long-buried memory is unlocked, and she begins to follow an investigation that Ben could never complete. But will she realise that some secrets are best left buried . . .?
The Moon Gate paperback
Out Now in the UK & Ireland. Coming later in 2024 to Australia and the US.
“A fabulous, immersive read! Right from the start [the] beautifully written, evocative settings swept me away, and wonderful characters, seamless interweave of timelines & layers of mystery kept me enthralled.”
— ZOË MILLER, author of The House in the Woods
“A rich, sweeping mystery . . . beautifully written, atmospheric and intriguing.”
— TRACY REES, Richard & Judy winner and author of The Hourglass
“Great storytelling . . . The Moon Gate is a richly layered atmospheric story that transports the reader from 00s London to 1970s Tasmania and beyond . . . I was drawn in from the first page.”
— JACQUIE BLOESE, author of Richard & Judy pick The French House.
“What a divine indulgence of a novel The Moon Gate is. I have relished every single word of this heart-rending story, full of love and sacrifice, in which Amanda evokes the wilds of Tasmania so beautifully, it becomes a character in itself. I'm highly, highly recommending everyone puts it straight to the top of their summer reading list!
— JENNY ASHCROFT, author of Under the Golden Sun and Meet Me in Bombay
“Magnificent! Cleverly woven plots, storylines and heartbreak . . . I loved it.”
— LORNA COOK, USA Today bestselling author of The Girl from the Island
“I adored this multi-layered, deeply textured story, set across three timelines and three countries. It is lyrical and engaging and it certainly kept me up at night to finish to the end of each chapter. It's my first AG book, but I have a feeing, it won't be my last.”
— FAITH HOGAN, USA bestseller of nine novels, including The Ladies’ Midnight Swimming Club, The Gin Sisters’ Promise and The Guest House by the Sea
“I spent a while afterwards thinking back over the story and how the events were connected … incredible how all the details piece together. Amanda is a natural-born storyteller.”
— FIONA SCHNEIDER, author of The Paris Affair. FULL REVIEW.
The Wormhole Podcast
Charlie Place and Amanda discuss Tasmania in WW2, Australia's famed poet Banjo Paterson, British Blackshirts, the Mitfords, and the Moorgate Tube Crash. This is a true deep dive into The Moon Gate …
Discussion
01:50 The inspiration - Banjo Paterson's Bush ballads and mining in Tasmania
03:17 Keeping up with all the characters and planning the timelines
08:43 How there is so much of Amanda in this book
10:51 Mining on the West Coast of Tasmania, and Amanda's dad
13:41 Banjo Paterson and Australian poetry
17:49 Tasmania in WW2, including Prime Minister Robert Menzies
26:01 Women Blackshirts in Britain (including Diana Mitford) and the awfulness of Edeline
30:47 The Moon Gate's lengthy first draft
33:12 Moon Gates and rebirth
35:45 The focus on grief
37:23 Including the Moorgate Tube Crash
40:44 Amanda's Ballinn returns!
42:45 The epilogue and what was left out
44:45 Rose and what might have been
47:20 The House of the book, Towerhurst and Australia's Federation houses, and Huon pine trees
52:46 What Amanda found when renovating an old Irish house
55:07 More on Amanda's current manuscript, a story looking at occupied Norway
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Media
What bloggers are saying
“The Moon Gate is a stunning piece of historical fiction.” @shortbooksandscribes
“An epic story set over 3 timelines all mysteriously brought together in this beautifully-written story by Amanda Geard.” Trina Dixon
“The Moon Gate is a hugely enjoyable, addictive multiple timeline book from one of my favourite authors.” Joanna Park
“We are left with an incredible tapestry of places and people full of colour, emotion and a yearning for home whether home is a place or a person.” Hayley, The Lotus Readers
The Moon Gate is a Squad Pod best book for 2023! The Squad Pod
“Geard’s books truly capture my heart and have me absorbed from beginning to end.” @Libreads
Acknowledgement of Country
In recognition of the rich history, culture and storytelling tradition of the Island on which some of this novel is set, I would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians, and pay deepest respects to all Tasmanian Aboriginal Communities past, present and emerging.
