Spirits of the Ghan

I've read Spirits of the Ghan by Judy Nunn which is a story set mainly around the building of the Ghan railway from Alice Springs to Darwin.  The historical elements were interesting as were the back stories about what happened to Aboriginal people during the 19th and 20th centuries.  The story is woven around the character Jess Manning, an Aboriginal woman, university educated who negotiates with local Aborigines relating to sacred sites in the path of the railway.  Jess' Aboriginal ancestors lived in the area and she has reconnected with the relatives of her mother.  There is a romantic interest with surveyor Matt Witherton who learns about his own ancestors through their relationship.  For some parts of the story the reader must "suspend belief" to accept what happens.  3/5