General News
26 June, 2024
New novel given a local launch
Despite the chill and rain, more than 40 people gathered at the library in Rainbow for the launch of Wire and Bone, the new murder-mystery novel written by Horsham-born Colin King and set in the Wimmera.
Mr King said he wanted to hold the book launch in Rainbow because the area featured so prominently in the book.
"I didn't want to just write the book, drop it here and run," he said.
It was during a roadtrip on the highway between Ouyen and Mildura that the idea for the novel first came to Mr King.
"I was hearing on the car radio about bodies that had been found out in the bush and it occurred to me that you only had to park here, drag the body 50 metres into the scrub and it would never be found," he said.
"Even better: you can look at a map, see a road here and one there, put the body in between them, drop it in there from a plane - guaranteed never to be found by a human being.
"So, that's what I did."
In the book, Melbourne homicide detective André Marshall and Age journalist Ella Ritchie search for answers following their grisly discovery of high-profile, inner-city property developer Portia Meredith's body in the heart of the Big Desert.
There are many scenes which locals will find familiar - including Lake Albacutya (dry for only 20 years in the book), Lake Hindmarsh and the Albacutya silos - as the storyline explores the harsh realities involved with inheriting a farm.
"I was able to pick the brain of Ben Gosling after he had spent a day in the harvester about how it all works up here with families and properties and inheritances," Mr King said.
"I hope I got that right - if not, I will blame him."
As part of the sub-plot, Ella and her sister hold a couple of meetings while operating farm machinery following the death of their mother.
"But the actual investigation of the murder takes place all over Victoria, even up to Sydney, so it's not just in the Mallee," Mr King said.
"Although, things do come back here, finally, to be resolved."
Mr King's address to attendees was followed by a live performance by Ben, Andy and Tom Gosling and a book signing.
All four of Mr King's book are available to loan through Hindmarsh Libraries.
Wire and Bone can be purchased online, at Redrock Gallery in Horsham, or at the Dimboola Imaginarium.
