ARC Review: The Lightning Ridge Ladies by Fiona McArthur

Fiona McArthur has done it again with The Lightning Ridge Ladies. This story swept me straight into the heart of Lightning Ridge with its rugged opal-mining setting, heartfelt friendships, and a blend of mystery, romance, and suspense that kept me turning pages late into the night.

Dr Bella Grey, still heartbroken after the loss of her twin brother, moves to Lightning Ridge to take over her older brother's GP practice. While she bonds with the welcoming locals and the wonderful Lightning Ridge Ladies, she also carries her own secret—an urgent need to uncover the truth about her twin brother’s death. Through Meesha, an effervescent opal jeweller, and TJ, a miner wrapped in secrets, Bella begins to piece together both her grief and her future.

The sense of place is extraordinary. The author writes the landscape with such authenticity that you can almost feel the dust under your feet and the heat of the outback sun. I’ve never really cared for opals even though they are my birth stone, but I’m determined to visit Lightning Ridge myself and choose one as this book really piqued my interest and made me do a bit more research to discover their beauty.

This is an exceptionally well-researched and beautifully written novel that delivers everything: heartfelt friendships, emotional depth, intrigue, and romance. Fiona McArthur remains one of my all-time favourite authors, and The Lightning Ridge Ladies is a shining example of why her books resonate so deeply. An unforgettable read.

Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC

Release Day 16 September 2025