Bliss It Was

The novel is set largely on Waiheke Island, off the coast of Auckland City, Aotearoa New Zealand. The central character is a man with a secret past, who interrupts a home invasion and becomes embroiled in a series of events which lead to his prosecution for multiple murders.

He is tormented by ghosts from his past, which come back to haunt him and threaten his very existence. He is defended in court by a young Maori lawyer, who falls in love with his son. Another very significant character is the enigmatic Italian Carlo, whose mother owns the Waiheke house that was invaded, and who we discover is 'Ndrangheta mafia.

Drugs, crooked (and straight) cops, mercenaries, gangs, Interpol and international intrigue are all part of the story, with plot twists and turns aplenty. Notions of family, particularly fathers and sons, and brothers, but also wider organisational family ties, loyalty and 'mate-ship', are also themes throughout, as is 'utu', vengeance.

Fast paced and exciting, it will hold the reader's attention from beginning to end.