Andrew Ryan's narrative presents a poignant reminder how the human spirit overcomes heartache and anguish through an intriguing series of both tragic and hilarious intervals that begins at the time of the 1930's great depression. Estranged from his wife and baby daughter following a harrowing accident thirty years ago, Walter Bransby is again forced to serve a seven days sentence for vagrancy, to wit he meets a young boxer whom, through an amazing chain of circumstances takes up the challenge to unravel the traces Walter's estranged wife had successfully concealed. If you have ever wondered how the alchemy of the human spirit transmutes bitter shame and remorse then this novel is for you.

How the melodic strings of a priceless Amati violin continue to influence the lives of two people after sailing the seas from England to Australia at the turn of the nineteen century is again masterfully portrayed in Australian author Andrew Ryan's second book of the Amati series. Rustic panoramic scenes of the Australian continent create the backdrop for this fascinating story of deceit, murder and the unimaginable endurance of trust and devotion.

How the talented violinist Charles Kinsmith's chance encounter with the beautiful but mysterious Claudia Bertolini is revisited one year later on board a passenger liner en-route to Australia in 1885 is poignantly revealed in this most unusual yet fascinating historical romantic novel by Australian author Andrew Ryan. Set against the soul-crushing modes of the nineteenth century it reveals the couple's plight to freely exercise their right to personal expression in a society hostile to change. Fear of being humiliated for side-stepping the accepted rules of social behaviour, a dying man's life-long search to be reunited with his estranged family and the benevolent compassion of a first generation Australian widow all come together to show how easily, yet sub-consciously chance and coincidence weaves its way through each of the characters lives in this haunting and powerful novel.