They say you cannot tell a book by its cover, and this is true if the title and cover picture do not give a potential reader any indication of the delights or otherwise that lie within.
My original cover design indicated a deep, dark mystery, with a road to who knew where. Nothing in the title or any description, enlightened the browsing customer. This has now been addressed with a bright new format together with a brief hint about the subject. A reprint is underway.
The subject matter in Almost Persuaded is equally as relevant today, as it was in 2016 when I began to research drugs, about which I knew little, and gang involvement about which I knew only a little more. News media is renowned for headlining those issues sure to attract reader or viewer attention, and local New Zealand gangs are continuing to feature as purveyors of deadly and addictive substances with no regard for the health and wellbeing of their customers. From time to time, a gang member will leave his former life and repent, be it simply coming to the realisation he can, with his background of gaol terms and living an unclean, unlawful and downright un-Christian lifestyle; now act as an adviser to those who may benefit from his knowledge. But gang membership has been on the increase in recent years, and not only that, global connections are also being set up for the supply of drugs. Some gangs relocate themselves to areas more advantageous to their lifestyle and customer bases, arriving unwelcome in smaller towns. The 501 gang deportees from Australia, though not large in number, have added to the problem.
No doubt the New Zealand election issues for the October 2023 elections will be dominated by law and order, including the much-publicised ram raids by young offenders. So the debate will include the question marks that hang over these young offenders; the penalties that can be applied and the home life they lead; the reasons for the offending, including drilling back to parental control or lack of it. In other words, the root causes need to be addressed. Sadly, these are so numerous, making the necessary changes far-reaching and difficult. Thus, possible action on many fronts becomes a huge social debate in itself. The political parties in opposition will make a meal out of the figures and point accusing fingers at the ruling party; all political posturing that will add nothing to assist in arriving at a solution.
The narrative in Almost Persuaded will remain relative for some time to come.
Lighthouse Lines 