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Les Norton #18
Crime Scene Cessnock
All it took was a summer's day and a flat tyre on his push-bike, and Les is out on bail and on the run from a gun-happy street gang intent on a drive-by. So, with Warren's help, Les Norton defendant, becomes Len Gordon film director, safely ensconced at the ultra-swish Opal Springs Health Resort till Eddie can sort things out back in Sydney. Unfortunately, the first thing Les finds on arrival is motivational guru Alexander Holden dead at the front gate. Before he knows it, Les is up to his neck in a land of a thousand acronyms, fighting off steroid-happy body builders, sex-crazed socialites, violent greyhound owners and, worst of all, caffeine withdrawals.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
15 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
About the author
Robert G. Barrett
47 books67 followersG’day.
You’ve no doubt read a lot of things about me and my books over the years written by other people. Well, this is the truth. I grew up in Bondi in Sydney, Australia. I went to Bondi Beach Public School then on to Randwick Boys High. I left school at 14, did a few odd jobs then a trade as a butcher, mainly in the Eastern suburbs before finally working as a boner in various meatworks around the inner city with two trips to Ross River meatworks at Townsville, Queensland thrown in. I gave up boning after a hindquarter fell on me tearing the tendons in my right arm. I always liked writing letters and reading, so while I was on worker’s compensation I did three writing courses at the WEA, Worker’s Education Authority.
Robert died of cancer at his home in Terrigal, New South Wales.
You’ve no doubt read a lot of things about me and my books over the years written by other people. Well, this is the truth. I grew up in Bondi in Sydney, Australia. I went to Bondi Beach Public School then on to Randwick Boys High. I left school at 14, did a few odd jobs then a trade as a butcher, mainly in the Eastern suburbs before finally working as a boner in various meatworks around the inner city with two trips to Ross River meatworks at Townsville, Queensland thrown in. I gave up boning after a hindquarter fell on me tearing the tendons in my right arm. I always liked writing letters and reading, so while I was on worker’s compensation I did three writing courses at the WEA, Worker’s Education Authority.
Robert died of cancer at his home in Terrigal, New South Wales.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 23, 2017
What a laugh!
The story starts with Norton getting into trouble while he tries to do the right thing. Poor bloke. To hide from a bunch of thugs, he ends up pretending to be a 'fillum director' so he can stay in a health retreat near Cessnock. Norton is a pretty fit character, but he downs coffee like crazy and doesn't mind the odd drink. Needless to say, the bloke goes through some withdrawal issues!
I find Les Norton a hard bloke to pick. Sometimes I imagine him being the kind of bloke who'd help an old lady cross the street, while at other times we've seen him engage in some quite unsavoury acts. One thing is for certain: he's a shit stirrer. You can just imagine what he gets up to when he finds a dead body at the entrance to the health retreat. Yep, that's the meat of the story. Norton getting bored and stirring everyone about the alleged murder.
I've grown quite fond of Norton, and the way Barrett uses experiences through the locations to write his stories really shines through. I grew up in Singo, so know Cessy pretty well. His description of the Vincent Street was like that of a bloody tourist!
Good fun story. My favourite Les Norton so far.
The story starts with Norton getting into trouble while he tries to do the right thing. Poor bloke. To hide from a bunch of thugs, he ends up pretending to be a 'fillum director' so he can stay in a health retreat near Cessnock. Norton is a pretty fit character, but he downs coffee like crazy and doesn't mind the odd drink. Needless to say, the bloke goes through some withdrawal issues!
I find Les Norton a hard bloke to pick. Sometimes I imagine him being the kind of bloke who'd help an old lady cross the street, while at other times we've seen him engage in some quite unsavoury acts. One thing is for certain: he's a shit stirrer. You can just imagine what he gets up to when he finds a dead body at the entrance to the health retreat. Yep, that's the meat of the story. Norton getting bored and stirring everyone about the alleged murder.
I've grown quite fond of Norton, and the way Barrett uses experiences through the locations to write his stories really shines through. I grew up in Singo, so know Cessy pretty well. His description of the Vincent Street was like that of a bloody tourist!
Good fun story. My favourite Les Norton so far.
January 24, 2024
I love these books when I need something light after reading something heavy. This story is entertaining and reminds us of what life was like 20 years ago before social media and political correctness. I feel like Barrett has captured periods of time well. It’s an easy read and doesn’t leave you psychologically scarred.
I feel like we all probably know someone like Les Norton. The Aussie bloke next door.
Would be a great book to read by the pool on holidays. Just don’t take it too seriously!
I feel like we all probably know someone like Les Norton. The Aussie bloke next door.
Would be a great book to read by the pool on holidays. Just don’t take it too seriously!
April 25, 2021
Pretty monotonous thoughout,skipped pages when it became too ho-hum, a bit of a pot boiler. Starts OK then becomes repetitive in dialouge and descriptions, then usual fights, then Les drinks a lot of mineral water every day, then usual shags, then a neatly tied up ending. Not his best but if you are a fan of Les Norton then the predicaments will be entertaining.
November 18, 2021
Ripping formula and story line,
July 14, 2018
What a hoot!!! Always good to have a laugh with one of Barrett’s innuendos/novels. Old Les really gets into some binds for the betterment of the local wildlife!
January 28, 2025
Great book really end it 👍🏻
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews