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A Murder Mystery unfolds as Cyclone Tracy destroys Darwin
Mercinaries, misfits and criminals on the run thrived in the chaos that followed Cyclone tracy in 1974. The perfect environment to turn a mixed up teenager into an outlaw.
Mercinaries, misfits and criminals on the run thrived in the chaos that followed Cyclone tracy in 1974. The perfect environment to turn a mixed up teenager into an outlaw.
As Aedan struggles with adolescence and school, a cyclone destroys his city and any resemblance of normal life disappears. He leaves home, buys a motorbike and is thrust violently into adulthood, in a wild, lawless environment. Then he meets Eva, the woman of his dreams and a gifted lady who attempts to guide him through the obstacles.
But Darwin is full of very dangerous people and as an impressionable youth, Aedan keeps bad company and is led into violent crime. When their local dealer is murdered, Eva becomes involved, putting both her and Aedan squarely in the crosshairs of a vicious killer, who now has them on his list.
Buy Darwin and unlock this mystery with a true Australian flavour.200 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 6, 2019
12 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Mike Barker
2 books5 followersMy personal Outlaw journey started at the age of 17, when I restored the motorcycle his best friend had been killed on; then rode, fought and rampaged through Australia with outlaw bikie gangs.
During the dry season, I used to work as a professional hunter, shooting and catching wild buffalo in Australia’s northern Territory.
After years of relative obscurity, I started writing about my experiences, writing the stories as fiction, loosely based on real events and the characters based on real people. By treating the stories this way, I’ve been able to throw characters to the wolves and let them react.
Sometimes conflict brings out the best in people, sometimes the worst, and the simplest of situations can quickly become treacherous.
During the dry season, I used to work as a professional hunter, shooting and catching wild buffalo in Australia’s northern Territory.
After years of relative obscurity, I started writing about my experiences, writing the stories as fiction, loosely based on real events and the characters based on real people. By treating the stories this way, I’ve been able to throw characters to the wolves and let them react.
Sometimes conflict brings out the best in people, sometimes the worst, and the simplest of situations can quickly become treacherous.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 22, 2021
This is a dangerous book: if you start reading, it will gradually get its hooks in and you'll find yourself addicted!
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Except for the "American" style of quotation marks, this book is pure Aussie (Fortunately author Barker makes clear the expressions and idioms, so the story does not suffer.)
The action is somewhat amateurish–which might actually aid because the main protagonist is a teenager–and sadly, some of the narrative constructs are… well, not very professional. Barker also occasionally brings characters into the narrative without previously disclosing or introducing them, and several scenarios are presented out of context—eg., playing with Christmas presents without any foundational narrative, and occasionally having problems associating plurals properly.
Nevertheless, the story is well-plotted and very engaging. Barker takes us through many challenges and narrow escapes, and sows much cheer and goodwill along the way. Frankly, partway through the yarn I had to upgrade my initial assessment from 2 stars to 3stars: no linhger a book to be skipped unless your shelves are empty, this is a book that would be found on all but the most persnickety bookshelves.
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Except for the "American" style of quotation marks, this book is pure Aussie (Fortunately author Barker makes clear the expressions and idioms, so the story does not suffer.)
The action is somewhat amateurish–which might actually aid because the main protagonist is a teenager–and sadly, some of the narrative constructs are… well, not very professional. Barker also occasionally brings characters into the narrative without previously disclosing or introducing them, and several scenarios are presented out of context—eg., playing with Christmas presents without any foundational narrative, and occasionally having problems associating plurals properly.
Nevertheless, the story is well-plotted and very engaging. Barker takes us through many challenges and narrow escapes, and sows much cheer and goodwill along the way. Frankly, partway through the yarn I had to upgrade my initial assessment from 2 stars to 3stars: no linhger a book to be skipped unless your shelves are empty, this is a book that would be found on all but the most persnickety bookshelves.
February 12, 2021
Set in the Northern Territory in Darwin in the mid 70s around the time of Cyclone Tracy. It’s the story of Aeden an unhappy teenager who leaves home and befriends some good and not so good people.
The imagery of the cyclone and its destruction left behind was well written. I could visualise this quite easily.
I felt as though Darwin was only a small town rather than a city. Having never been there I didn’t really get a feel for the place.
I also got the impression they are no honest hard-working Australians living in Darwin although I know in truth this is not to the case.
The book was an easy read but failed to deliver any thought-provoking material.
I received a complimentary copy from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
The imagery of the cyclone and its destruction left behind was well written. I could visualise this quite easily.
I felt as though Darwin was only a small town rather than a city. Having never been there I didn’t really get a feel for the place.
I also got the impression they are no honest hard-working Australians living in Darwin although I know in truth this is not to the case.
The book was an easy read but failed to deliver any thought-provoking material.
I received a complimentary copy from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
December 9, 2019
A gripping coming of age tale
I enjoyed this story of Aedan’s descent into the life of an outlaw and how Eva came to be such an important part of his life. The best action comes at the end of the story, which became addictive. I would have liked to know more about what happened at the end, but hopefully will find out in the next book. This is a quick, engaging read for fans of outback thrillers
I enjoyed this story of Aedan’s descent into the life of an outlaw and how Eva came to be such an important part of his life. The best action comes at the end of the story, which became addictive. I would have liked to know more about what happened at the end, but hopefully will find out in the next book. This is a quick, engaging read for fans of outback thrillers
December 30, 2019
A story of poor choices and their consequences following a monster cyclone
Newly homeless Aedan rides out Cyclone Tracy at a friend’s house. The utter devastation to the city of Darwin in the wake of the storm sets the stage for Aedan’s descent into criminal activity. His redeeming light is Eva who helps him make some better choices. It is the story of a boy adrift without a moral compass.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Newly homeless Aedan rides out Cyclone Tracy at a friend’s house. The utter devastation to the city of Darwin in the wake of the storm sets the stage for Aedan’s descent into criminal activity. His redeeming light is Eva who helps him make some better choices. It is the story of a boy adrift without a moral compass.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 22, 2020
Aedan meaning "little fire" sets a blazing trail thru Darwin. He and his friends rob a bank which starts the ball rolling, leading him from one adventure after another. He falls in love with Eva, his psychic girlfriend, who gives him the love he never had growing up. Along with good friends, they live through a cyclone that sends them out of Darwin and into a life on the run. Read what happens next. It is quite an experience.
July 19, 2020
Aedan meets a mysterious young lady named Eve. Then Cyclone Tracy comes alone and wipes out the majority of Darwin which makes it hard for him to find Eve. He is unaware that she does not live where he met her. Aedan meets a crazy man that convinces him and two other guys to plan a robbery. Aedan's adventures are more than he bargains for.
I enjoyed this book and feel that the author has a way of bringing his books alive.
I enjoyed this book and feel that the author has a way of bringing his books alive.
December 27, 2019
I love this outback thriller with an awesome story and great characters. Aedan and Eve are a great pair and Darwin is a pretty scary place to be young and impressionable. Great thriller! I am finishing up the next book and it is awesome too.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 13, 2020
Thank you for the opportunity to read your book
Set against the backdrop of the Northern Territory and Darwin in the mid seventies this story follows Aedan as he leaves home as an unhappy teenager and navigates his way through the challenges both good and bad that life brings in the wake of Cyclone Tracey.
A story that rolls along. I read this in one sitting
Set against the backdrop of the Northern Territory and Darwin in the mid seventies this story follows Aedan as he leaves home as an unhappy teenager and navigates his way through the challenges both good and bad that life brings in the wake of Cyclone Tracey.
A story that rolls along. I read this in one sitting
June 3, 2020
I thought this story was very good! Interesting characters, great plot, just like jumping into the 1970's Australia! I will look for more by this writer & do recommend his work!
December 11, 2021
Good read but I don't like Friday cliffhangers. It's like buying 3/4ths of a book. Great characters and realistic dialogue. There's no plot that I can see, just an adventure one day at a time.
February 9, 2020
This was a fast-paced cliff-hanger of a thriller!
I read Insignia first and then read this one. I don't think it matters which you read first, but obviously, they should be read in order.
Darwin is a coming of age story all about loss, choices, drugs, bikers and a mysterious and captivating woman. A quick read! I will read more from this author.
I received a free review copy of the book from the author and I am thrilled to be able to give you my honest review.
I read Insignia first and then read this one. I don't think it matters which you read first, but obviously, they should be read in order.
Darwin is a coming of age story all about loss, choices, drugs, bikers and a mysterious and captivating woman. A quick read! I will read more from this author.
I received a free review copy of the book from the author and I am thrilled to be able to give you my honest review.
July 20, 2022
I liked it. It's an interesting story in Australia after a cyclone has wreaked a lot of damage. The main character Aedan is in his teens, and he goes on a long journey and experiences very different people, bikers and outlaws, hippies, and people just trying to resume life amidst the rubble.
Aedan meets a young woman, a foreigner living with the hippies, and finds her fascinating. She has psychic powers, which she uses when she joins Aedan on his journey around Australia. They end up connecting with the native people and begin to understand an entirely different culture from Aedan's upbringing.
This is a story of growing and experiencing life, falling in love, mysteries of different beliefs and ways of knowledge that is not found in books and schools. This book is the first of a series, and I will definitely look for the rest to read them..
Aedan meets a young woman, a foreigner living with the hippies, and finds her fascinating. She has psychic powers, which she uses when she joins Aedan on his journey around Australia. They end up connecting with the native people and begin to understand an entirely different culture from Aedan's upbringing.
This is a story of growing and experiencing life, falling in love, mysteries of different beliefs and ways of knowledge that is not found in books and schools. This book is the first of a series, and I will definitely look for the rest to read them..
July 1, 2020
This is a great start to this exciting series! I really enjoyed it! Like the ideas, characters & story line! Super interesting to read about Australia in the 70's & a fast paced plot! Kept me guessing what was going to happen just to the end! I do recommend this & will look for more by this writer!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews