Today’s post features author Fleur McDonald, discussing her latest novel Where The River Runs. Where The River Runs is published by Allen & Unwin, RRP $29.99.

Detective Burrows has been a recurring character in some of your previous novels. Can you tell us a bit about his character?

Dave Burrows is a detective who is tenacious, has great integrity and loves his work. The modern day (2018) he’s married to Kim and lives in Barker, South Australia. In the Dave Burrows series, which is set back in the early 2000s, he’s married to Melinda and is a new Dad to Bec. He’s driven and rarely lets anything stop him from achieving the result needed to solve the crime.

What were some of the challenges in the writing process when writing this book?

I had spinal surgery in January and the due date for this book was the 1st of March. It was really difficult to write while I was on heavy pain relief which tended to addle my brain! I spent a lot of time writing while lying on my bed, with the electric blanket on my back and the fan blowing on me. It was a challenging time, but between the amazing people at Allen and Unwin and I, we got the novel finished! And now, here it is!

What is your favourite quote in your book?

‘The healing rain didn’t seem like it was about to let up for the night and for that she was grateful. She pulled up a chair and sat with her legs tucked up underneath her, enjoying the sounds of nature’s music.’

Can you tell us something about your book that is not already revealed in the synopsis?

Dave’s brother is critically injured in a farming accident and he has to work out whether he wants to go back and see Dean or stay in Barker.

Describe your perfect book heroine/hero?

Harry Bosch from Michael Connelly’s books. I’ve been a little in love with him for many, many years!

What can readers expect next from your writing endeavours?

A young Dave Burrows novel, which is lot more hard core, than previous ones. In fact in the words of my editor: “Without A Doubt is tougher and more hard-bitten than your other Dave Burrows novels and I think that suits the pair of you! The storytelling feels strong and assured and we see Dave at his most rugged and his most vulnerable.”

I loved writing this novel and hope to write many more like this.

About Where The River Runs

Ten years ago, thirty-year-old Chelsea Taylor left the small country town of Barker and her family’s property to rise to the top as a concert pianist. With talent, ambition and a determination to show them all at home, Chelsea thought she had it made.

Yet here she was, back in Barker, with her four-year-old daughter, Aria, readying herself to face her father, Tom. The father who’d shouted down the phone ten years ago never to come home again.

With an uneasy truce developing, Chelsea and Aria settle into the rhythm of life on the land with Tom and Cal, the farmhand, who seems already to have judged Chelsea badly. Until a shocking discovery is made on the riverbed and Detective Dave Burrows, the local copper, has to tear back generations of family stories to reveal the secrets of the past.

Chelsea just wants a relationship with her dad but will he ever want that too? Or will his memory lapses mean they’ll never get that opportunity?

Purchase Links

Allen & Unwin  *  Booktopia  *  Google Play  *  Amazon Australia

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