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  • Published: 9 April 2024
  • ISBN: 9781761344435
  • Imprint: Michael Joseph
  • Format: Trade Paperback
  • Pages: 448
  • RRP: $34.99

At the Going Down of the Sun




An epic romantic adventure of love and war inspired by true ANZAC heroes.

'Fans of Natasha Lester and Victoria Purman will adore...' Better Reading
1914: Brothers Thom and Archie Hogan are the best of friends who love nothing more than tinkering with their father’s old biplane. They dream of one day flying over the wheatfields of their farm, but when Molly James arrives in town, matters of the heart come between them.
Beautiful and headstrong, Molly captures the attention of both young men, until war strikes
and the brothers rush to enlist. Molly answers the call to nurse in London, and nothing is a
game any more.
In the Middle East and Europe, war takes to the skies for the first time. There, Archie and Thom clash with legendary foes in a desperate quest for survival, even as a battle of hearts wages below. Tension between the trio looks set to implode – just as Molly is faced with a dangerous mission all on her own.
At the going down of the sun, heroes will rise, hearts will soar, and ANZAC legend will be made.

Based on a true story of the author’s grandfather’s wartime experiences in Gallipoli, At the Going Down of the Sun explores the intense bond between soldiers and brothers fighting in war, and a love with the power to tear them apart.

'Brilliant historical fiction set against the backdrop of the carnage of World War One. Mary-Anne O'Connor's best work yet, which is saying something.' Goodreads

Praise for Mary-Anne O'Connor:

‘A roller-coaster of emotions. One minute it will have you laughing; the next you'll be heartbroken. It's that good.' - Good Reading Magazine
'Heart-warming and heart-wrenching' - the Hoopla
'Moved us deeply'- Apple iBooks
'Wins over the reader with the clarity of her characters and a strong plot' - Daily Telegraph
'Will stay with you well after you have finished reading it' - QBD bookstores

  • Published: 9 April 2024
  • ISBN: 9781761344435
  • Imprint: Michael Joseph
  • Format: Trade Paperback
  • Pages: 448
  • RRP: $34.99

About the author

Mary-Anne O'Connor

Mary-Anne O'Connor has a combined arts education degree with specialities in environment, music and literature. After a successful copywriting and marketing career she now focuses on writing fiction and non-fiction as well as public speaking. Mary-Anne lives in a house overlooking her beloved bushland in northern Sydney with her husband Anthony and their two sons Jimmy and Jack.

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Praise for At the Going Down of the Sun

"A moving and captivating narrative about mateship and the bond between brothers, friendship, women’s roles at the time and the men they loved. The courage of our brave soldiers, how the legend of the Anzac’s began, we should continue to honour the scarifies they made, they were haunted by their experiences for the rest of their lives and like Ms. O’Connor own grandfather, I always cry on Anzac day and I did while reading At The Going Down Of The Sun, five stars from me...The only thing I didn't like about this book is that it finished. Brilliant historical fiction set against the backdrop of the carnage of World War One. Mary-Anne O'Connor's best work yet, which is saying something."

Good Reads