The Book Hook Online site founder, reviews Logan Firth’s debut novel Sydney’s Convicts after purchasing this on Amazon and reading it in October 2025.
Could be the makings of a movie or TV series! A dark, historical, drama told with vigour!
This book is a something of a departure for me as I usually read novels about organised crime. But, I am really impressed by this work. It is written by a young Australian author who has clearly researched the experiences of the people deported to Australia in the the late 1700’s.
I knew that this happened but had thought it was reserved for the hardened criminals as an alternative to the death penalty. But, I learnt from this book that the same fate happened to orphaned children, as described by Logan’s portrayal of young Emily Wilson.
It is not a long novel but the Emily’s experience of the crossing, arriving into land where she was effectively a slave, enforced marriage and more are told are described so that a clear picture of the horror comes to mind. But, there is a ray of hope for Emily in the form of the wife of an officer stationed in Australia, Elizabeth.
The story is told at pace which I quite enjoyed. I tend to read in short bursts, so do like a book with short chapters.
At the end of the day I was left thinking that the story told here could be adapted for a movie or a television series in the mould of a dark, historical, costume drama.
I understand that Logan Firth is self-published. Sydney’s Convicts is a fine example of the quality that such new talent can produce.
