This is another skeleton in the closet from the Australian High Country. A tale preserved in grainy century-old newspapers is brought to life by ardent local historian, Janice Newnham. The book is firmly reflective of the true story but reimagined into a colourful and intriguing novel. It is a tale of a marginalised, fragile young man pushed too far.

The setting is in Walwa and Jingellic, two picturesque rural villages on opposite sides of the of the upper reaches of the Murray River. It is 1924 and the community finds itself at a pinch point; the local gold and tin mines are failing; rabbits and drought are crippling farmers and a global economic depression in concert with the dark echoes from a terrible war fuel social upheaval and anxiety. Against this background, a misunderstood and socially challenged young man is broken by a series of misfortunes, gossip, manipulation and maybe, a poison he invented.

A blood-stained picnic rug heralds the descent into madness of Claude Batson and The Last Bushranger of the Riverina is unleashed. A manhunt for the fugitive is triggered and scores of police from multiple districts, black trackers and hordes of armed civilians scour the hills.

Buy directly from the author or ask your local bookshop to order a copy in.