This week, Jeff Popple reviews three books about the Australian outback. More of Jeff’s reviews can be found on his blog: murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
Outback Teacher by Sally Gare and Freda Marnie
Allen & Unwin, $32.99
In 1956 at the age of 20, freshly minted teacher Sally Gare was sent to work at a two-teacher school based at an Aboriginal mission run by the Church of England, some 3000 kilometres from Perth. Situated near the border with the Northern Territory, Forrest River Mission was as far from a big city as you get. It was a challenging experience for Sally who found herself doing much than just teaching. Full of great stories and reflections, Outback Teacher is a fascinating chronicle of the first six years of Sally’s teaching career in small outback schools, and a reminder of how things were.
Spinifex: The Curse of The Night Parrot by John Grant
Storm Bird, $29.95
John Grant combines bird watching and murder in his entertaining novel about the efforts to save a rare Australian bird. The discovery of the almost extinct night parrot lures smugglers to the outback in hope of capturing it and selling it on the black market. Wildlife officer Ric Butler is the only person standing in their way, but when he is falsely accused of murder, he goes on the run. As the smugglers head into the steamy croc-infested waters of the remote Torres Strait, Butler is on their trail. A wealth of interesting background information on Australia’s wildlife enhances this engaging thriller.
The Island by Adrian McKinty
Hachette, $32.99
Adrian McKinty achieved well deserved international success with his last novel, The Chain, and now he is back with another thrilling tale, The Island, set in outback Australia. A vacation for an American family turns to hell when a terrible incident sets them on the run from a violent clan of locals. With each chapter, McKinty ups the ante as disliked stepmother Heather desperately tries to keep her newly acquired family safe. Although it is unlikely to be popular with the Australian tourist industry, The Island certainly gets the blood pumping and the pages turning as it races to its dramatic conclusion.
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