Michael Burge's Blog

JOURNALIST James Brandt lives in a brittle truce with his partner Dylan and his family, never talking about the homophobic attacks he exposed in his rural hometown, including the brutal death of a beloved cousin twenty years ago. But this illusion of peace is ripped apart by the start of the state’s historical gay-hate crime … Continue reading The Golden F**king Light: a sample of Dirt Trap →

The third in a series of retrospective pop culture reviews revisits the mystery movie that Christie fans love to hate-watch … THERE’S AN EVOCATIVE scene in the big-screen adaptation of Kathleen Tynan’s novel Agatha when Vanessa Redgrave as Agatha Christie and Helen Morse as her new bestie Evelyn Crawley, languish in a steam room at … Continue reading Take Another Look: Michael Apted’s ‘pleasantly endurable’ Agatha →

The second stop in a series of literary excursions examines how one of the world oldest cave systems inspired a crime novel… IN 2008 I TRAINED as a casual tour guide at Jenolan Caves within the Blue Mountains National Park of New South Wales. As a journalist, I was drawn to the extensive social history … Continue reading Murder in the Underworld: a Mystery Tour of Jenolan Caves →

WHAT captivating works can writers produce when given a random phrase? This multi-genre collection of 300-word micro stories, penned by the eclectic High Country Writers of the NSW New England region, shows just how far the smallest inspiration can flow. With courage and curiosity, these wordsmiths gathered once a month to read their work and … Continue reading Take the plunge: Diving Into Deep Water →

PROLIFIC HISTORICAL AUTHOR Kate Grenville’s latest book Unsettled: A journey through time and place (Black Inc.) documents her gutsy journey ‘up country’ into northern inland New South Wales, serving up excellent fodder for city slickers intent on reading about reconciliation between First Nations and settler Australians. As she ruminates on colonial blindspots at country town … Continue reading Kate Grenville’s cranky road trip to reconciliation →

IN A REMOTE Methodist community of New South Wales in 1852, aspiring lay preacher Charles Muncey is tasked with recording the sins of every soul who signs up for a week-long revival. He has plenty to work with. Pardoned convict Thomas Gunson knows the way through the wilderness and agrees to guide the faithful on … Continue reading Shake the dread: a sample of The Watchnight →

MidnightSun Publishing has acquired world rights for Dirt Trap, the sequel to my rural noir debut Tank Water. Publisher Anna Solding recently announced the news in Books + Publishing, Australia and New Zealand’s book trade paper. “Fans of Michael’s Tank Water will be delighted with Dirt Trap as all the signature tension and intrigue continues, … Continue reading ‘A fearless reckoning’: Dirt Trap set for November release →

Histria Fiction, an imprint of Histria Books (US) has acquired global rights for The Watchnight, my second novel. Described as a Gothic western, The Watchnight is a bold reimagining of the Methodist settlers who colonised Australia’s renowned Jenolan Caves during the Frontier Wars. Three lost souls – an Irish settler, a pardoned convict, and a young … Continue reading Get in early for The Watchnight →

The first stop in a new series of literary excursions explores how the Queen of Crime created a rural rabbit hole to augment her oeuvre… NOT FAR FROM genteel St Mary Mead where Miss Marple resides, less than two hours by car from Hercule Poirot’s London pad, is an essential crime readers’ destination that even … Continue reading Mystery Tour of Market Basing, Agatha Christie’s Mare’s Nest →

The second in a series of retrospective pop culture reviews examines the late actor’s overlooked triumph as an Irish spinster caught up in a crisis of faith… WHEN A COMMUNION wafer gives genteel young Judith Hearne (Emma Jane Lavin) the hiccoughs and other girls in the congregation start giggling, a painful demonstration of Catholic self … Continue reading Take Another Look: Maggie Smith is ‘Almost Too Good’ in The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne →