Ryan Bradley Series #1 and #2

 By: Geoff Parkes  

Location: FIC PAR

Genre: Thriller

 #1 When the Deep, Dark Bush Swallows You Whole     

  #2 The First Law of the Bush

The stunning King Country landscape and scenery imbue the story with a real atmospheric sense of place. Fans of Chris Hammer, J P Pomare and Alan Carter will enjoy this gripping debut.' Books + Publishing

YIPEE A THRILLER SET IN NEW ZEALAND!

She wasn’t the first and she wouldn’t be the last; swallowed into the deep, dark recesses of the King Country bush, never to be seen again.’

It’s January 1983. During his university summer break, Ryan Bradley returns to the remote town of Nashville in New Zealand’s rugged King Country.

It’s a bittersweet he’s working long, punishing hours as a woolpresser, he needs to sell his late mother’s house, and he’s increasingly feeling like an outcast in his childhood town.

But mostly he’s haunted by memories of Sanna Sovernen, a Finnish backpacker and his secret lover, who worked with him in the shearing shed the summer before - then vanished without trace.

Now Sanna’s sister Emilia has arrived from Finland, determined to get answers - and as he’s the workmate who reported Sanna missing, she wants Ryan’s help. Because Emilia knows her sister was not the first female traveller in the area to disappear . . .



'A gripping murder mystery set in 1980s small-town New Zealand, capturing the stifling atmosphere of a community steeped in secrets. With relentless suspense and a rich cast of characters, this impressive debut keeps the reader guessing to the very end.' ROSE CARLYLE

THE FIRST LAW OF THE BUSH#2

Part thriller, part murder mystery The First Law of the Bush is a small town, rural noir that I found thoroughly enjoyable.

Set in New Zealand in the 1990s, each chapter is told from a different character’s perspective, which I really enjoyed. It gives you more insight into the small town dynamics and what each persons motivations are, good, bad or otherwise. It’s tense, atmospheric and blends light and dark together seamlessly.

Overall an enjoyable and gritty read

If you like rural noir, small town secrets and stories that feel grimy and real rather than polished, this is worth picking up.