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Deep Beyond The Reef: A True Story Of Madness And Murder In South Pacific
The brutal double murder of Fiji Red Cross director John Scott and his partner Greg Scrivener in 2001 shocked several nations and attracted a huge amount of media attention, partly because of John Scott's role as go-between in the hostage crisis during the George Speight-led coup in 2000. Drawn back to Fiji from his new home in England by the tragedy, Owen Scott embarks on a quest for the truth not only about the then unsolved crime and the whirlwind of rumour and innuendo it created, but also about his own life as the son of a prominent, charismatic but domineering father, and the darkness at the centre of an outwardly idyllic tropical childhood. From the fading colonial splendour of plantation life to the violent political coups and ruthless media exploitation of the modern era, this is a true and remarkable story of love, death and memory, set against the backdrop of a troubled Pacific paradise.
408 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 10, 2025
Review published in the New Zealand Herald, 12 March 2005
"Unfolding the colonial backcloth to murders saga"
Deep Beyond the Reef
Owen Scott
(Penguin Books $29.95)
Reviewed by Philippa Jamieson
Fiji came to international attention with the two coups in 1987 and 2000, and was again in the world spotlight in July 2001 after the brutal murder of John Scott and his partner Greg Scrivener in their home in Suva.
Scott was the director-general of the Fiji Red Cross, and provided humanitarian relief to the hostages during the second coup. This book is written by his brother.
The Scott and Scrivener families had to deal not only with the violent deaths of their loved ones but also with the sullying of the murdered men's reputations. Rumour and hearsay shrouded the case, and media in Fiji and New Zealand ran stories about the couple's alleged involvement with paedophilia and drugs. It turned out they were involved in neither. Owen Scott sets the record straight on these matters, by analysing media reports, comparing police statements, and ferreting out files.
Scott is obviously completely at ease with John and Greg's gay relationship, but rarely describes the slanderous statements by police and the media as homophobia. Instead, he leaves readers to draw their own conclusions. When he finally gets to the bottom of the rumours, the explanations are so ridiculously innocent it's laughable – if it weren't so serious.
On the face of things this is a man's account of the murder of his brother, and as such is overwritten – but it is so much more than that.
Rather, it is a memoir that covers Scott's upbringing and his family background in colonial Fiji, interspersed with the unfolding saga of the murders, and prefaced by a chapter about the 2000 coup.
The author's father, Sir Maurice Scott, looms large in these pages: a charming, gregarious, devilish lawyer, whose penchant for alcohol finally overcame him. Maurice comes across as controlling and impossible not to disappoint. He clearly dominated the family during his life and nearly takes over the book.
The writing is clear, precise and detailed, the research meticulous. There is a liberal sprinkling of minor personal interactions and small incidents, but some of these seemingly insignificant events provide comic relief. Others shine like unexpected gems, illustrating the author's ability to translate the mundane to the meaningful.
"Unfolding the colonial backcloth to murders saga"
Deep Beyond the Reef
Owen Scott
(Penguin Books $29.95)
Reviewed by Philippa Jamieson
Fiji came to international attention with the two coups in 1987 and 2000, and was again in the world spotlight in July 2001 after the brutal murder of John Scott and his partner Greg Scrivener in their home in Suva.
Scott was the director-general of the Fiji Red Cross, and provided humanitarian relief to the hostages during the second coup. This book is written by his brother.
The Scott and Scrivener families had to deal not only with the violent deaths of their loved ones but also with the sullying of the murdered men's reputations. Rumour and hearsay shrouded the case, and media in Fiji and New Zealand ran stories about the couple's alleged involvement with paedophilia and drugs. It turned out they were involved in neither. Owen Scott sets the record straight on these matters, by analysing media reports, comparing police statements, and ferreting out files.
Scott is obviously completely at ease with John and Greg's gay relationship, but rarely describes the slanderous statements by police and the media as homophobia. Instead, he leaves readers to draw their own conclusions. When he finally gets to the bottom of the rumours, the explanations are so ridiculously innocent it's laughable – if it weren't so serious.
On the face of things this is a man's account of the murder of his brother, and as such is overwritten – but it is so much more than that.
Rather, it is a memoir that covers Scott's upbringing and his family background in colonial Fiji, interspersed with the unfolding saga of the murders, and prefaced by a chapter about the 2000 coup.
The author's father, Sir Maurice Scott, looms large in these pages: a charming, gregarious, devilish lawyer, whose penchant for alcohol finally overcame him. Maurice comes across as controlling and impossible not to disappoint. He clearly dominated the family during his life and nearly takes over the book.
The writing is clear, precise and detailed, the research meticulous. There is a liberal sprinkling of minor personal interactions and small incidents, but some of these seemingly insignificant events provide comic relief. Others shine like unexpected gems, illustrating the author's ability to translate the mundane to the meaningful.
May 21, 2010
This story is devastating. Owen Scott captures the truth in how homosexuality is perceived in the South Seas. Gay men are treated as evil, sick and twisted. In discovering the truth about his brother's horrific murder, he may never have a full night's sleep, but I am glad for his brother's sake he has revealed the truth. A deeply tragic story,
April 9, 2008
"Appalingly written" according to Great Aunt Mary.. but due to it being about our family still found it interesting (if only for the pictures!)
May 31, 2015
Not my style. Didn't really want to hear all about the coup.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews