Writing a novel is not for the faint-hearted. It involves a great deal of hard work, frustration, research, and tolerance from a wife, husband or partner. The job is never easy, nor finished quickly. There is always an improvement that can be made to the grammar used, be it for descriptive purposes or simply for clarity and conciseness. And the best writers today use simple, clear and concise language not cloaked in ornate or quaint sentences. Nor should those sentences be long and cumbersome lest the reader is obliged to do a double take simply in order to understand the meaning within those many lines. Yet another important consideration for an author is to ensure he has an interesting plot and a credible one too. I believe I have met the above criteria.
I commenced The Benefactor’s Son in late 2019 after completing Almost Persuaded which I self-published. I wanted both a local New Zealand and an international flavour to the story for Benefactor. I have achieved that. In my mind too, were voices telling me to use some recent or current events upon which to build a plot. Readers would easily relate to the Hong Kong riots, China’s aggressive stance, and tales of what may have happened to those involved in any form of insurrection, both on the streets and behind the scenes. My fascination with stories of spies and the networks built around their existence, the distrust of inferiors and superiors within the same organisation, and the cold-war mentality that exists today between the West, and China and Russia, spurred me to begin my latest book. It is now complete and in the process of editing, cover design and publication.
China, Arms Trading, Human Trafficking–a brief synopsis of The Benefactor’s Son.
The genre of The Benefactor’s Son would fall somewhere between mystery and suspense.
The opening chapter sets the scene in Hong Kong during the demonstrations against China’s decision to ignore the agreement with Britain to retain the one country, two systems policy. Harry Trimble is questioned by police as to the reason for his visit. His father the benefactor, had visited the colony many times prior to his recent death and had met with David White, father of Sue, Harry’s love interest whom he had dated while both were at Canterbury University. David White too, had died recently.
The story moves to Christchurch, London, Zurich, Beirut, Berlin, and Paris with a multitude of unpleasant events, always with China in the background.
There is a chilling discovery at the end of the story just prior to a planned wedding between Sue and Harry in Christchurch.
I will announce publication date soon.
Lighthouse Lines 