Flood Zone
by Brett Austin
I picked up Brett Austin’s book Flood Zone gingerly. Its sub-title “a climate change thriller” was the problem. I am, like so many others, suffering from climate-change alarmism fatigue. I'm tired of the finger-wagging and the cost. But I was pleasantly surprised. Climate change is not at the forefront of this book, although Austin makes a very good point about corrupt councils allowing housing to be built in floodplains.
Brett Austin has written a well-constructed book, full of vivid characterization and, while he doesn’t wax long and eloquent on description, gives the reader enough to let imagination play.
Ex-cop Sam Cole lives in a small Coromandel town, hunkered down in his mother’s home after his dismissal from the Force. He doesn’t want to be involved in the suspicious death of a councilor who has ruffled feathers in the small town. But Cole’s gut feeling and instincts are those of a genuine policeman. And there is something very wrong with the development of housing on a floodplain and the developers who are managing it. Soon Cole finds himself knee deep in a private investigation into all their nefarious deeds.
Although this is a gritty-bloke-book, full of brutality and nasty people, there is love and duty and a strong streak of humanity throughout. Cole is an engaging fellow who has faults and fragilities just like the rest of us, who is living in a typical Kiwi town that has been invaded by East Coast thugs and is in dire need of rescuing. And must do something about it.
I usually judge a character in a book by wondering if I could invite them home. Sam Cole is welcome any day.
by Brett Austin
I picked up Brett Austin’s book Flood Zone gingerly. Its sub-title “a climate change thriller” was the problem. I am, like so many others, suffering from climate-change alarmism fatigue. I'm tired of the finger-wagging and the cost. But I was pleasantly surprised. Climate change is not at the forefront of this book, although Austin makes a very good point about corrupt councils allowing housing to be built in floodplains.
Brett Austin has written a well-constructed book, full of vivid characterization and, while he doesn’t wax long and eloquent on description, gives the reader enough to let imagination play.
Ex-cop Sam Cole lives in a small Coromandel town, hunkered down in his mother’s home after his dismissal from the Force. He doesn’t want to be involved in the suspicious death of a councilor who has ruffled feathers in the small town. But Cole’s gut feeling and instincts are those of a genuine policeman. And there is something very wrong with the development of housing on a floodplain and the developers who are managing it. Soon Cole finds himself knee deep in a private investigation into all their nefarious deeds.
Although this is a gritty-bloke-book, full of brutality and nasty people, there is love and duty and a strong streak of humanity throughout. Cole is an engaging fellow who has faults and fragilities just like the rest of us, who is living in a typical Kiwi town that has been invaded by East Coast thugs and is in dire need of rescuing. And must do something about it.
I usually judge a character in a book by wondering if I could invite them home. Sam Cole is welcome any day.
Review by JA Harrison
Title: Flood Zone
Author: Brett Austin
Publisher: Harbour Lights
ISBN: 978-0473783297
RRP: $35.00
Available: Amazon
Author: Brett Austin
Publisher: Harbour Lights
ISBN: 978-0473783297
RRP: $35.00
Available: Amazon
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