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Grand Deceptions
Grand Deceptions is a historical novel centred predominantly around Melbourne and Ballarat in Victoria Australia. England, Scotland and San Marino also play a part of this captivating story.
The timeline begins in the 1850s and ends in the 1960s. Three well to do young men immigrate to Victoria; their reasons are all different but their ambitions are the same - make their fortune in the antipodes.
The circumstances that drove their futures were deception. Two of the three men became victims of fraud and lost their fortunes. They hatched a plan to recover their newly developed wealth by becoming bushrangers. They disguised themselves in women's clothing, calling themselves "The Banshees".
Grand Deceptions follows the lives of the three men all of whom experience exciting and sometimes dangerous lives.
I found this book a great read, I was impressed by the author's knowledge of early Victorian history and his introduction of characters from English settlers of the day. Given the ending, one would guess there might be a sequel in the wind! - Bill Simpson
I think this is Garry's best book so far. I would have no hesitation in recommending this read to anybody who loves history, thrilling storylines and a book you can't put down. - Ian Jones
I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into. What I got was a page turning great read. I won't spoil the ending for those of you yet to read Grand Deceptions, I will just say be sure to put aside a few hours as you won't want to put it down until you see how it ends. - Kim Krarup
Garry has outdone himself with this story. He has blended a great mix of fact and fiction and I found myself enthralled. I read Grand Deceptions in an afternoon which I very rarely manage to do with a book. I cannot recommend this book highly enough - do yourself a favour and get a copy, I guarantee you will not be disappointed - Tony Pittard
As with Garry Willmott's Serendipity - A Gallipoli Love Story, which I read a while ago, Grand Deceptions is a fascinating blend of fact and fiction. I enjoyed the deft way the author weaves the men's stories, bringing in other characters and sometimes bringing the reader up to date on what happened to someone I assumed had been forgotten. For example, Anna's friend Jane was mentioned in passing... and then her story is revealed later in the book.
Grand Deceptions is a fine historical tapestry giving a picture of a hundred years of turbulent history as a backdrop for the stories of some remarkable people. - Sally Odgers, author/editor
The timeline begins in the 1850s and ends in the 1960s. Three well to do young men immigrate to Victoria; their reasons are all different but their ambitions are the same - make their fortune in the antipodes.
The circumstances that drove their futures were deception. Two of the three men became victims of fraud and lost their fortunes. They hatched a plan to recover their newly developed wealth by becoming bushrangers. They disguised themselves in women's clothing, calling themselves "The Banshees".
Grand Deceptions follows the lives of the three men all of whom experience exciting and sometimes dangerous lives.
I found this book a great read, I was impressed by the author's knowledge of early Victorian history and his introduction of characters from English settlers of the day. Given the ending, one would guess there might be a sequel in the wind! - Bill Simpson
I think this is Garry's best book so far. I would have no hesitation in recommending this read to anybody who loves history, thrilling storylines and a book you can't put down. - Ian Jones
I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into. What I got was a page turning great read. I won't spoil the ending for those of you yet to read Grand Deceptions, I will just say be sure to put aside a few hours as you won't want to put it down until you see how it ends. - Kim Krarup
Garry has outdone himself with this story. He has blended a great mix of fact and fiction and I found myself enthralled. I read Grand Deceptions in an afternoon which I very rarely manage to do with a book. I cannot recommend this book highly enough - do yourself a favour and get a copy, I guarantee you will not be disappointed - Tony Pittard
As with Garry Willmott's Serendipity - A Gallipoli Love Story, which I read a while ago, Grand Deceptions is a fascinating blend of fact and fiction. I enjoyed the deft way the author weaves the men's stories, bringing in other characters and sometimes bringing the reader up to date on what happened to someone I assumed had been forgotten. For example, Anna's friend Jane was mentioned in passing... and then her story is revealed later in the book.
Grand Deceptions is a fine historical tapestry giving a picture of a hundred years of turbulent history as a backdrop for the stories of some remarkable people. - Sally Odgers, author/editor
552 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2018
1 person want to read
About the author
Garry Willmott
19 books7 followersGarry has written eighteen historically based novels, “The Other Side of the Trench -The Spirit of War” ,“Brothers in Arms” and “Red Lights on the Somme”, “Survival” “Small Farm Warriors”, “ Boys Own War”and “Colour Blind”. Global Warming - A Weapon of Mass Destruction, The Fab 60's,The Last Pirate Hanged, 1000 Yard StareGrand Deceptions.
He has also written a non fiction book called "Escape" about true accounts of POW escapes.
His ninth novel “You Forgot the Sauce “ based around Alzheimer’s has just been published.(see review) The Other Side of the Trench has been published as an ebook and paperback. Brothers in Arms is available in Hardback, Paperback and as an ebook.
Escape is available in both ebook and paperback it has been expanded with several new escapes. Red Lights on the Somme is available in both ebook and paperback formats.
Garry was invited to write an article for "The Punch" a News LTD publication regarding the “MISSING” on the Western Front. Published in 2011 it was very well received with over sixty comments.
Garry has been married to Anna for twenty years and has two adult daughters, Emma and Sophie from a previous marriage.
Garry and Anna live in an 1840 homestead in the Huon Valley Tasmania.
He had thirty-five years in the IT industry and had several articles published in industry magazines.
Born in Melbourne he has lived in five states and travelled extensively for both business and pleasure.
The reason for writing The Other Side of the Trench was brought about when he established “Let Them RIP” to pressure the Australian Government to introduce procedures to ensure the remains of fallen diggers were reported and buried with dignity.
After contacting over thirty politicians and many senior business people apathy was the only reaction he received. He contacted Andrew Wilkie who agreed to ask "the question" of Julia Gillard in Parliament. Her answer was predictable.
He decided the only way he could get the appropriate people to listen was write a book, become famous as a best selling author and be invited to speak on television and radio.
So he did.
He has been interviewed on radio a number of times and Ian McPhedran a well known journalist had an article published across the News Limited papers espousing his cause.
He remains committed to the cause although frustrated with the response. It seems not many care.
He has also written a non fiction book called "Escape" about true accounts of POW escapes.
His ninth novel “You Forgot the Sauce “ based around Alzheimer’s has just been published.(see review) The Other Side of the Trench has been published as an ebook and paperback. Brothers in Arms is available in Hardback, Paperback and as an ebook.
Escape is available in both ebook and paperback it has been expanded with several new escapes. Red Lights on the Somme is available in both ebook and paperback formats.
Garry was invited to write an article for "The Punch" a News LTD publication regarding the “MISSING” on the Western Front. Published in 2011 it was very well received with over sixty comments.
Garry has been married to Anna for twenty years and has two adult daughters, Emma and Sophie from a previous marriage.
Garry and Anna live in an 1840 homestead in the Huon Valley Tasmania.
He had thirty-five years in the IT industry and had several articles published in industry magazines.
Born in Melbourne he has lived in five states and travelled extensively for both business and pleasure.
The reason for writing The Other Side of the Trench was brought about when he established “Let Them RIP” to pressure the Australian Government to introduce procedures to ensure the remains of fallen diggers were reported and buried with dignity.
After contacting over thirty politicians and many senior business people apathy was the only reaction he received. He contacted Andrew Wilkie who agreed to ask "the question" of Julia Gillard in Parliament. Her answer was predictable.
He decided the only way he could get the appropriate people to listen was write a book, become famous as a best selling author and be invited to speak on television and radio.
So he did.
He has been interviewed on radio a number of times and Ian McPhedran a well known journalist had an article published across the News Limited papers espousing his cause.
He remains committed to the cause although frustrated with the response. It seems not many care.
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