The Low Road

The Low Road was shortlisted for the New Angle Prize. It has been praised for its storytelling in the following reviews:

"Soft, swelling story-telling" – Australian Women's Weekly

"A well-crafted and intensely dramatic novel, with characters you care about facing circumstances so dire a contemporary audience might strain to fully imagine them" – Sydney Morning Herald

"The Low Road is a beautifully written novel ... testament to Quarmby’s dedication to her craft and her commitment to delivering an immersive and captivating story" – The Tasmanian Times

"A darkly gripping picaresque tale of cruelty, courage and kindness as an orphaned girl survives poverty and injustice to seek love on the other side of the world" – Maggie Gee

"An engrossing and beautifully written novel. All sorts of horrors are to be found here, but also love and bravery and hope. A must for lovers of historical fiction” – Adele Geras

Set in Norfolk, 1813, the story begins in the quiet Waveney Valley, where the body of a woman, Mary Tyrell, is staked through the heart after her death by suicide. Accused of murdering her newborn child, Mary leaves behind her young daughter, Hannah. Hannah is sent to the Refuge for the Destitute in London, destined for a life of domestic service.

At the refuge, Hannah's fate intertwines with Annie Simpkins, another resident. Their friendship grows into a deep, passionate love. However, their bond is tested when they are caught stealing from the refuge’s laundry and sentenced to transportation to Botany Bay, setting them on separate paths that may never cross again.

Drawing on real events, The Low Road is a gripping, atmospheric tale that breathes life into the forgotten voices of the past – convicts, servants, and the rural poor. It is also a powerful evocation of love blossoming amidst prejudice and ill-fortune.