REVIEW

Bordertown, Gregory James

Reviewed By
Karen Chisholm

Recently a lot of books have passed my way that have, as their central theme, white Australian's mistreatment of Aboriginal Australians. This is, in my humble opinion, not a bad thing. In the case of BORDERTOWN, however, it's not a book that is written from an Aboriginal perspective, rather it's the viewpoint of a white outsider Policeman sent to an outback posting after a disastrous shooting in Sydney, in the early 1980's. There central character, Detective Bo Campbell, comes across shocking abuse, murder and mistreatment of the local Aboriginal's combined with a visceral racism and deep seated corruption.

BORDERTOWN is not meant to be easy reading. This is difficult, uncomfortable for all Australian's subject matter and author Gregory James doesn't pull any punches. Right from the opening scenes, dodging kangaroos on outback roads, drinking himself into despair, Bo Campbell is obviously struggling. An encounter with some pig shooters, and the way that the local police simply turn a blind eye surprises him - but it should have been a clear warning that the penance he's about to do for an accidental shooting, will be done surrounded by violence and a disrespect for life (people and animals) that's so matter of fact it's breathtaking. Add to that the corruption, racism, overbearing colleagues, the general feeling of menace about the place and you'd forgive Campbell for sinking further into alcohol and avoidance. But he's shaken to the core when told to ignore the murder of a local Aboriginal woman, shattered when he realises the depth of the cover-up, and determined to do something about it even at risk of his own personal safety.

There are aspects of the plot here that may feel like they require a bit of hard swallowing. You'd hope it's a little unbelievable that so many women could go missing, that a mysterious property in the middle of nowhere could exist like it does, and that corruption would be so entrenched in all levels of the police force and authorities, but then again you look at the levels of government corruption, cronyism and the rise of racism, sexism, vicious attacks, domestic violence and extremism in current day Australia and perhaps it's not such a big swallow after all. 

For this reader, there was so much about BORDERTOWN that made me feel profoundly distressed. Whilst on one level BORDERTOWN is a flat out police procedural styled book, packed to the gills with action. Set as it is, in the early 1980's in outback Australia, it's not over-burdened by procedures, forensics or rules. On another level it's a lot more about the way that we've been all too keen to shove the past mistreatment of people into the "well that was then" basket. 

I've said it before and I'll say it again, crime fiction in any guise is good at casting some very strong light into the darkest corners of human history and BORDERTOWN has the spotlights turned up as high as they will go.

BOOK DETAILS
BOOK INFORMATION
Author
ISBN
9780648490616
Year of Publication
Series
Book Number (in series)
1
BLURB

Seven missing. One dead. No hope.

The Australian outback is beautiful, idyllic, peaceful, and all Detective Bo Campbell has to do is fit in.

Within a day of his arrival, however, he's asked to cover up the murder of a local Aboriginal woman found in bushland. When he discovers she's not the only one, his whole world comes crashing down.

In 1982, north-western New South Wales is plagued by corruption, deaths in custody and inequality. Sent to the remote area after he accidentally shot and killed his partner in a bungled drug raid in Newtown, Bo finds himself caught in a trap and being squeezed by a ruthless group who will stop at nothing to get what they want.

Bo only has one choice: will he save himself or risk everything to fight for truth and justice?

In this harrowing, fast-paced novel, survival of the fittest takes on a whole new meaning. With his life and career crashing down around him, Bo gets help from those least expected. But who will pay the ultimate sacrifice?

Review Bordertown, Gregory James
Karen Chisholm
Monday, July 8, 2019

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