Join us for an evening of crime when we welcome James Dunbar to The Book Cow to celebrate the release of his latest thriller, Twisted River. James will be joined in conversation by Barbie Robinson of Living Arts Canberra

ABOUT THE BOOK:

When charity worker Cate and website designer Rory, a married couple in their thirties, return from their European holiday, they make a nightmare discovery. Their credit cards have been cancelled, their bank account has been emptied, and their phones and internet have been cut off. Their home in the New South Wales coastal town of Kiama has been rented out as a holiday let, and their dog and pet-sitter have disappeared. Meanwhile, Cate's work colleagues have received copies of her handwritten resignation letter, posted from Paris, filled with insults and lurid allegations.

The pain isn't over yet, not by a long shot. Someone has set out to destroy Cate and Rory Porter's lives - and their anonymous enemy's motivations are a mystery.

As the harassment ramps up, some likely suspects emerge. Is it the anti-vax campaigners who have already targeted them over Rory's website for dog owners? Or maybe a pro-Russian activist who objects to Cate's work with Ukrainian refugees?

To make matters worse, the local police seem suspicious of their allegations. Cate and Rory quickly realise the only way to reclaim their lives - and their beloved poodle cross, Iris - is to find their tormentor themselves. And it isn't long before things turn dangerous. Deadly dangerous.

Full of sinister twists and turns, dark humour and a fascinating cast of supporting characters from society's shadowy fringes, Twisted River will grip you until the final cliffhanger ending.

PRAISE FOR TWISTED RIVER:

‘A premise that's all too real. Twisted River will have you hooked from start to finish ... but you may never go on holiday again.’ MICHAEL BRISSENDEN

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

James Dunbar is a journalist, television scriptwriter, travel writer, university lecturer and website editor. Mole Creek (Echo Publishing, 2024), his first venture into the serious crime thriller and espionage genre, was shortlisted in the Danger Awards. Published as Jimmy Thomson, he is also the author of two crime ‘caper’ novels and two true-crime memoirs, as well as several books about Australian army engineers (sappers) during the Vietnam War.