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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.
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.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 11, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
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September 30, 2023It is strange to read a novel, especially a crime novel (though the library have it in the “local history” category which made me laugh) set in my neighbourhood. I didn’t like Jim (one of the main characters) at first but warmed to him and the story as it romped forward. It’s graphically violent to start but hold your breathe as that’s over quite quickly. I read in a day and enjoyed the story. Too many outrageous characters and coincidences to be believable but that wasn’t the point. The references to the “bloody penguins” would be lost on many. Also, I’m sure everyone (even Mafia) shop at KMart, don’t they? It’s a good, windy and rainy staying inside looking out at Palm Beach, read.
December 3, 2023
Be prepared to suspend disbelief for this one. The Waiheke branch of the Keystone cops takes on the Waiheke branch of the Sicilian mafia. It’s quite a fun and diverting read, but laugh out loud ludicrous.
February 26, 2025
I loved this book.
The fact that Waiheke Island is my happy place and that I knew all of the places made it even better.
The events amd the cover-ups kept me hooked from start to finish.
The fact that Waiheke Island is my happy place and that I knew all of the places made it even better.
The events amd the cover-ups kept me hooked from start to finish.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews