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Heist
'Ford laid his fingertips gently on the cut in his shoulder where the bullet had clipped him. His best chance would be to hitch a ride south at the first opportunity, before the police started looking for him. He was alone, enveloped in the monstrous silence of the desert. Free and alone, without assistance and without excuse.'
Left for dead in the desert, framed as the inside man in a bullion robbery at the remote mine site where he works, and fearing that his daughter and ex-wife have been abducted from their home in Perth, Ford must cross a thousand miles of wilderness to find his family.
Ford forms a fragile alliance with Doc and Banjo, a pair of fugitive bikers, and Kavanagh, a cop from the Gold Stealing Detection Unit who's found herself shut out of the case. As this unlikely team sets out across the Outback, they are pursued by cops, mercenaries and bikers, each group with its own agenda for preventing Ford from reaching Perth and uncovering a conspiracy that spreads through the upper strata of Western Australian life.
Left for dead in the desert, framed as the inside man in a bullion robbery at the remote mine site where he works, and fearing that his daughter and ex-wife have been abducted from their home in Perth, Ford must cross a thousand miles of wilderness to find his family.
Ford forms a fragile alliance with Doc and Banjo, a pair of fugitive bikers, and Kavanagh, a cop from the Gold Stealing Detection Unit who's found herself shut out of the case. As this unlikely team sets out across the Outback, they are pursued by cops, mercenaries and bikers, each group with its own agenda for preventing Ford from reaching Perth and uncovering a conspiracy that spreads through the upper strata of Western Australian life.
371 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2013
1 person is currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Robert Schofield
19 books4 followersHaving received a degree in engineering from Cambridge, Robert Schofield worked as a structural engineering consultant, engineering signature architecture including East Croydon Station, The Eden Project, Madrid Airport, Lichfield Theatre, and the London Imax Theatre. He then travelled to Australia and finding no call for creative architectural engineering in Perth, he adapted his skills to the mining and offshore industries. Whatever time he has left after working, writing, and wrangling three young children, he spends reading, cycling, kayaking on the Blackwood River, and maintaining his scooter: a beautiful 1970 Vespa Rally.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 7, 2013
Heist is Robert Schofield's entertaining and action packed debut crime novel set in Western Australia's goldfields. Gareth Ford is an engineering manager at an outback gold mine a few clicks north of Kalgoorlie. Divorced, with a weakness for gambling and grog, he is the perfect patsy for a group of mercenaries who raid the isolated mine's vault and steal over eight million dollars worth of gold bars. After being taken hostage and then left for dead in a burning armoured van, Ford's only concern is to ensure the thieves haven't followed through on their threats to hurt his young daughter but instead he finds himself running from his enraged captors, the corrupt Gold Squad, and a vicious local Bikie gang.
I really enjoyed this exciting crime thriller that includes an audacious theft, deadly gun battles and car (well motorcycle) chases in the Australian outback all leading to a conspiracy of greed and profit. The plot is well thought out, the action convincing and tension runs high and fast as it moves between the remote desert scrub and isolated towns of the state.
Ford is a great protagonist, obviously flawed yet redeemed by his devotion to his daughter and his determination to ensure her safety despite burns, bullet wounds and death threats. Ford also has a great sense of humor (read: he is a smarta##) which, along with the Aussie sensibilities of his character (non withstanding his Scot origins), lightens the tone of the story considerably.
Teaming Ford with the 'good cop' Detective Rosie Kavanagh, poetry spouting snake charmer 'Banjo' and hard as nails Viper's president, Doc in their quest to unmask the mastermind behind the gold heist is a stroke of genius. With limited reasons to trust one another, the uneasy dynamic works fabulously as they struggle to work both together while pursuing their own agendas.
An impressive debut, Heist is an exciting, fast paced and fun novel. I have no hesitation in recommending it to fans of Aussie crime fiction who enjoy thrills, spills and a laugh.
February 5, 2017
Heist is an interesting read; set in outback Western Australia, the story focuses on the theft of 8 gold bars worth millions from a rural mine. With mining engineer Gareth Ford taken hostage by armed gunmen during the heist, attention automatically turns towards him; an inside job. From there Ford manages to orchestrate an escape and teams up with an unlikely cast of characters to track down the gold and bring justice to those responsible.
The sojourn into the desolate, dusty and dangerous outback is entertaining yet the enjoyment is tempered by the strange interaction and somewhat bipolar relationship between Doc, head of the outlaw bikie gang The Vipers, and Kavanagh, the local female detective from the gold squad. The unlikely team-up makes sense at first yet as the story progresses the hot/cold interaction becomes less and less believable. It’s like the author wasn’t sure how to make these characters work together, one moment they are aiming towards the same goal, the next threatening one another. I also didn’t like the concept of Doc bossing Kavanagh around, after all she’s the law and he’s the outlaw – why would she take order from Doc? Just didn’t sit well with me.
While Ford is well written and well rounded, his reason for being is to ensure the safety of his estranged family, suspiciously absent for much of the book. By helping to tracking down those responsible for the gold theft, he hopes to clear his name. There is a link to wrong doing with a gambling debt hanging over his head which adds plausibility to his family situation – perhaps missing and in harm’s way, but any connection to the theft doesn’t seem to fit – even as the story comes full circle.
The premise of Heist is sound but is let down by some fundamental character flaws and an ending that just didn’t jell with me. I’d still recommend this as the first half is very good and despite the tapering off in the later stages I still found myself wanting to read the book. 3 / 5 stars.
The sojourn into the desolate, dusty and dangerous outback is entertaining yet the enjoyment is tempered by the strange interaction and somewhat bipolar relationship between Doc, head of the outlaw bikie gang The Vipers, and Kavanagh, the local female detective from the gold squad. The unlikely team-up makes sense at first yet as the story progresses the hot/cold interaction becomes less and less believable. It’s like the author wasn’t sure how to make these characters work together, one moment they are aiming towards the same goal, the next threatening one another. I also didn’t like the concept of Doc bossing Kavanagh around, after all she’s the law and he’s the outlaw – why would she take order from Doc? Just didn’t sit well with me.
While Ford is well written and well rounded, his reason for being is to ensure the safety of his estranged family, suspiciously absent for much of the book. By helping to tracking down those responsible for the gold theft, he hopes to clear his name. There is a link to wrong doing with a gambling debt hanging over his head which adds plausibility to his family situation – perhaps missing and in harm’s way, but any connection to the theft doesn’t seem to fit – even as the story comes full circle.
The premise of Heist is sound but is let down by some fundamental character flaws and an ending that just didn’t jell with me. I’d still recommend this as the first half is very good and despite the tapering off in the later stages I still found myself wanting to read the book. 3 / 5 stars.
August 2, 2013
Working as an engineer in Gwardar Gold Mine not far from Kalgoorlie in Western Australia, English born Gareth Ford asked himself once again what he was doing there. He asked that question of himself on a daily basis, but this day was to change his life in ways he had no way of imagining. When the theft of gold bullion bars occurred in the vault himself and two other men were controlling, then he was thrown into the back of the van with the four criminals, his calm demeanor covered his fear well. He wondered if he would ever see his beautiful little blonde haired daughter again….
Left alone in the burning van, deep in the desert with only a dead guard as company, his first thought was of escape - and before the van blew up. And escape he did! Making his way back to Kalgoorlie firstly on foot and then hitchhiking, with injuries that would put many a strong man into hospital, he discovered to his horror that he was still being pursued.
With the bikie gang, the Vipers out for his blood, plus his feeling that he was being set up to take the fall for the bullion robbery, and the police everywhere Ford had no-one he could trust. He also feared for the safety of his ex-wife and daughter as he was unable to locate them by phone at their home in Perth. When he formed a fragile alliance with bikers Banjo and Doc, plus Gold Squad detective Rosie Kavanagh, the tension and danger became unbelievable.
This debut novel by Aussie author Robert Schofield is a fast moving, full-on, action packed story with the likeable Ford as the protagonist. Hard drinking, tough and troubled, he stays upright remarkably well! With crooked cops, angry bikers and a conspiracy that is extremely widespread, it was an enjoyable read. A recommendable book.
Left alone in the burning van, deep in the desert with only a dead guard as company, his first thought was of escape - and before the van blew up. And escape he did! Making his way back to Kalgoorlie firstly on foot and then hitchhiking, with injuries that would put many a strong man into hospital, he discovered to his horror that he was still being pursued.
With the bikie gang, the Vipers out for his blood, plus his feeling that he was being set up to take the fall for the bullion robbery, and the police everywhere Ford had no-one he could trust. He also feared for the safety of his ex-wife and daughter as he was unable to locate them by phone at their home in Perth. When he formed a fragile alliance with bikers Banjo and Doc, plus Gold Squad detective Rosie Kavanagh, the tension and danger became unbelievable.
This debut novel by Aussie author Robert Schofield is a fast moving, full-on, action packed story with the likeable Ford as the protagonist. Hard drinking, tough and troubled, he stays upright remarkably well! With crooked cops, angry bikers and a conspiracy that is extremely widespread, it was an enjoyable read. A recommendable book.
February 10, 2024
This has sat on Mt TBR for so long after it was gifted to me. It was then re-gifted when I asked my family to select a book each from my shelves to put under the Xmas tree instead of buying me new ones. I finally read it and really enjoyed this author. I liked the underdog antihero lead character of Ford and his dogged determination to save his family. The ability of the author to have me continue to suspend my disbelief throughout Ford's journey is impressive! I totally loved the sub-characters, particularly Banjo's well placed Henry Lawson quotes. A good read - even better, I already have another book by this author for the next time I tackle Mt TBR :)
December 2, 2013
I have to confess I didn't finish it. Yes I paid over $30 bucks because I want to support the Aussie book industry and I love to read new crime writers, BUT I just couldn't like or care about the main character, the biffo just got silly and the female cop character was just not really believeable. It missed the fine line there is between straight out spoof and gritty realism. It was neither and thats why for me it didn't work.
December 3, 2017
Great story about a gold heist. Visitors will recognize the places of Kalgoorlie. The laconic Englishman of questioned past ends up in the middle of a corporate push from the dark side. A reasonable body count and adventures that maintains a reasonable tempo throughout. I particularity liked the description of the bush around the area and having driven part of the Holland track appreciated this part and was well written.
A enjoyable read that i commend anyone who likes a bit of cops and robbers along with reasonable pace and don't care attitude protagonist (which admittedly can become annoying).
A enjoyable read that i commend anyone who likes a bit of cops and robbers along with reasonable pace and don't care attitude protagonist (which admittedly can become annoying).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2021
I always find it interesting to read local written fiction based on my home town…
A family member gave me a copy of this book they came across, I hadn’t heard of it before now, it was entertaining but the ending felt underdone, rushed and too neat for me.
A family member gave me a copy of this book they came across, I hadn’t heard of it before now, it was entertaining but the ending felt underdone, rushed and too neat for me.
May 8, 2018
All a bit silly but good fun - it certainly moved at a pace.
September 21, 2018
i loved it.
it is not a formulaic thriller.
and it's a complex up-to-date plot.
also, no obvious plot holes.
and minimal flashbacks.
it is not a formulaic thriller.
and it's a complex up-to-date plot.
also, no obvious plot holes.
and minimal flashbacks.
January 15, 2026
Good info about local places you could relate to in mining
July 7, 2013
Set mostly in Kalgoorlie and the surrounding WA goldfields, HEIST is a debut novel which is well worth checking out. Especially if you like a rapidly moving plot, a hefty dose of wounded but not beaten central hero, and some seriously madcap action.
Starting off with the audacious, and perfectly planned heist of a large amount of gold directly from the mine vault, Gareth Ford is the engineering manager who is not completely squeaky clean. The mine is running on skeleton staff because it's a big horse racing day in town, when Ford finds himself seconded as a key man to open the vault for the security van designated to pick up the huge stockpile. Which is supposedly off to the races itself for a spot of showing off on the part of the owner of the mine. Ford might not have expected to be in that position on the day, but he is the perfect patsy for man on the inside. He's got a gambling and drinking problem, and a young daughter that he's desperate to protect. What the crooks didn't bank on is just how desperate Ford is to survive and get to Perth to find her.
Along the way he teams up with a bikie leader, an ex-bikie enforcer and a cop. All of whom end up running from the cops, the bikies and an unexpectedly complicated band of robbers.
Needless to say HEIST is long on action and pace, but at no stage does that mean that characters or plots suffer. It's a great plot. Twisty, clever, believable and with a resolution that was just right.
Ford is a very strong, believable protagonist with strangely believable endurance (if you don't keep count...). Trapped in the back of a burning armoured car, he escapes, shot, burnt, dehydrated and on the run in the middle of the desert. Beaten up by the cops, he's shot again, chased by bikers with intent, he's winged, singed, bruised, battered and determined to get to his daughter. He's also clever, resourceful, and blessed with a sense of humour that couldn't get much drier if was set on fire again. He's paired up with an unlikely, prickly bunch of fellow truth seekers. "Good" cop Rosie Kavanagh has a serious case of the unimpresseds with some of the cops on the job. Banjo the hard as nails, except where his dog is concerned, ex-bikie with a ute and some very handy equipment; and Doc, Viper's president and man on a mission to prove that whilst bikie's might be fair game when it comes to a lot of accusations, they had nothing whatsoever to do with the heist of so much gold. There's a limit to what you should be expected to wear after all.
I was recently asked if HEIST was caperish or hard-boiled. Still can't really decide. It's a bit of both. It's also exciting, fun, fast and furious. And well worth reading.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/revie...
Starting off with the audacious, and perfectly planned heist of a large amount of gold directly from the mine vault, Gareth Ford is the engineering manager who is not completely squeaky clean. The mine is running on skeleton staff because it's a big horse racing day in town, when Ford finds himself seconded as a key man to open the vault for the security van designated to pick up the huge stockpile. Which is supposedly off to the races itself for a spot of showing off on the part of the owner of the mine. Ford might not have expected to be in that position on the day, but he is the perfect patsy for man on the inside. He's got a gambling and drinking problem, and a young daughter that he's desperate to protect. What the crooks didn't bank on is just how desperate Ford is to survive and get to Perth to find her.
Along the way he teams up with a bikie leader, an ex-bikie enforcer and a cop. All of whom end up running from the cops, the bikies and an unexpectedly complicated band of robbers.
Needless to say HEIST is long on action and pace, but at no stage does that mean that characters or plots suffer. It's a great plot. Twisty, clever, believable and with a resolution that was just right.
Ford is a very strong, believable protagonist with strangely believable endurance (if you don't keep count...). Trapped in the back of a burning armoured car, he escapes, shot, burnt, dehydrated and on the run in the middle of the desert. Beaten up by the cops, he's shot again, chased by bikers with intent, he's winged, singed, bruised, battered and determined to get to his daughter. He's also clever, resourceful, and blessed with a sense of humour that couldn't get much drier if was set on fire again. He's paired up with an unlikely, prickly bunch of fellow truth seekers. "Good" cop Rosie Kavanagh has a serious case of the unimpresseds with some of the cops on the job. Banjo the hard as nails, except where his dog is concerned, ex-bikie with a ute and some very handy equipment; and Doc, Viper's president and man on a mission to prove that whilst bikie's might be fair game when it comes to a lot of accusations, they had nothing whatsoever to do with the heist of so much gold. There's a limit to what you should be expected to wear after all.
I was recently asked if HEIST was caperish or hard-boiled. Still can't really decide. It's a bit of both. It's also exciting, fun, fast and furious. And well worth reading.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/revie...
September 15, 2014
I am not an avid crime reader but I am really pleased to see West Australian (WA) authors currently doing so well in this genre. I have just finished Heist by Perth-based crime writer Robert Schofield and really enjoyed escaping into the Goldfields in outback WA, where the story kicks off.
I met Robert last year when Heist was launched and he was recently in my town Broome for the Corrugated Lines literary festival. I was lucky enough to attend the discussion on his newly launched novel Marble Bar – a sequel to Heist. I thought I’d better start at the beginning in Kalgoorlie and meet Robert’s characters before moving on to Marble Bar.
I didn’t ask Robert if the work was slightly autobiographical. Seemed a bit rude when the main protagonist Gareth Ford has been shot at, stitched up by his work colleagues and is on the run from the police, mercenaries and bikers, all in the first chapter. But I like Gareth’s sharp tongue and down-on-his-luck-cynicism with a slight glint of hope, which has to come from Robert being English and all.
The story begins with a gold bullion robbery and given Robert’s working background in the industry, it seemed an authentic heist. We’re not talking James Bond here, just a well-planned crime on a day when most of the people in a 1000 km radius are at the big Kalgoorlie race day.
At the heart of this story is Ford’s concern that his daughter and wife are under threat — from who exactly he isn't sure — when he is unable to reach them at home in Perth by phone. His desperation to get to them sets off one of the most unusual road trips I have ever read — totally entertaining and with enough twists, turns and corrugated bumps to keep me on the seat of my pants and turning the pages faster than biker Banjo could drive his old ute through the thick scrub.
Robert has created some wonderful secondary characters and the straight-talking, no-bullshit female policewoman Kavanagh, from the Gold Stealing Detection Unit, is a great match for the unlucky engineer.
This is a rollicking read and I am really looking forward to finding out what Ford gets up to in Marble Bar. Would highly recommend.
I met Robert last year when Heist was launched and he was recently in my town Broome for the Corrugated Lines literary festival. I was lucky enough to attend the discussion on his newly launched novel Marble Bar – a sequel to Heist. I thought I’d better start at the beginning in Kalgoorlie and meet Robert’s characters before moving on to Marble Bar.
I didn’t ask Robert if the work was slightly autobiographical. Seemed a bit rude when the main protagonist Gareth Ford has been shot at, stitched up by his work colleagues and is on the run from the police, mercenaries and bikers, all in the first chapter. But I like Gareth’s sharp tongue and down-on-his-luck-cynicism with a slight glint of hope, which has to come from Robert being English and all.
The story begins with a gold bullion robbery and given Robert’s working background in the industry, it seemed an authentic heist. We’re not talking James Bond here, just a well-planned crime on a day when most of the people in a 1000 km radius are at the big Kalgoorlie race day.
At the heart of this story is Ford’s concern that his daughter and wife are under threat — from who exactly he isn't sure — when he is unable to reach them at home in Perth by phone. His desperation to get to them sets off one of the most unusual road trips I have ever read — totally entertaining and with enough twists, turns and corrugated bumps to keep me on the seat of my pants and turning the pages faster than biker Banjo could drive his old ute through the thick scrub.
Robert has created some wonderful secondary characters and the straight-talking, no-bullshit female policewoman Kavanagh, from the Gold Stealing Detection Unit, is a great match for the unlucky engineer.
This is a rollicking read and I am really looking forward to finding out what Ford gets up to in Marble Bar. Would highly recommend.
February 5, 2015
I found the book dragged on a bit, but it wasn't short of action and bullets flew at regular intervals.
A bit too much drinking and drug taking for my liking. One has to keep in mind that no regular liver could cope with such an onslaught. I wish authors would do more research into what the body can take. IN general pain meds will not be processed by the liver till alcohol has been deal with. As such many people who use alcohol and pain meds at the same time end up overdosing and killing their liver due to unprocessed pain killers.
A bit too much drinking and drug taking for my liking. One has to keep in mind that no regular liver could cope with such an onslaught. I wish authors would do more research into what the body can take. IN general pain meds will not be processed by the liver till alcohol has been deal with. As such many people who use alcohol and pain meds at the same time end up overdosing and killing their liver due to unprocessed pain killers.
July 17, 2013
Heist is beautifully written, the plot is a lot of fun and the characters engaging. The first thing that struck me was how the language is clever and evocative without being high brow. The reader will find Gareth Ford, the anti-hero, a sympathetic character, and to feel his love and fear for his daughter as their own. I think those familiar, will find the Australiana, especially of the Perth, mining and engineering form, accurate and endearing.
October 1, 2014
What a fantastic debut. Featuring a gambling, half-alcoholic mining engineer who gets swept up in gold mine robbery and has to trek across half of Australia to rescue his young daughter with an unlikely crew of sidekicks including a bitter Ducati riding gold squad detective (female), a Vietnam vet motorcycle gang president, and one of his ex-members.
Some great turns of phrase, barreling action
Some great turns of phrase, barreling action
October 5, 2016
Really enjoyable well written entertaining crime novel.
was he the dupe or the duped Mr Ford. is a wonderful character,,and interspersed with Australian outback was a bloody good read.
The main characters were interesting and entertaining. Moved along at a steady pace and keep name enthralled from the first page.
was he the dupe or the duped Mr Ford. is a wonderful character,,and interspersed with Australian outback was a bloody good read.
The main characters were interesting and entertaining. Moved along at a steady pace and keep name enthralled from the first page.
July 13, 2013
This was a very quick read, but still keeps you guessing to the end about who is really involved in setting up Ford. Ford is the flawed central character that continues to fight no matter what is thrown at him, who comes out at the end with a sliver of hope.
October 27, 2013
This book was quite good. Not really my type of read. But really cool to read a story with my town in it...I knew all the places
July 4, 2014
More like - did not read - very first sentence - the vulgar F word - REALLY???? Why do authors not know how to write without using that absolutely abhorrent word??????????????????????????
April 26, 2015
The body count was high and how did he stay upright with all those injuries.
October 28, 2015
Liked the Australian accents; the reader did a great job.
But the protagonist got beaten up way to much ... and we don't find out who or why for a long time.
But the protagonist got beaten up way to much ... and we don't find out who or why for a long time.
June 29, 2016
Really exciting Aussie action story set in the outback with a mining background. Lots of twists and thrills.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews