Read some extracts

Action:

Nash, Barron and Hernando were transfixed as they watched the developing drama from the launch. Nash saw it momentarily as a still-frame from a feature film. Linda, sobbing again, with her back turned to the benefactor who had taught her to be womanly and capable; now the ruthless leader of Yusuf's Men, suddenly mute after an hour of incessant babbling. Then, as if the film director had called 'Action', a small figure emerged from his hiding place behind an upturned dinghy. It was James Savage, releasing years of fury, avenging his wife and fighting for his daughter. Carlos turned to face him. He was sluggish, switching from one problem to another. Savage, pistol in hand, confronted him almost chest-to-chest.

Description:

He circled a passage in the pamphlet that described the Kimberley coast they could see from their windows: 'Along this coast of islands, experience overlaps experience. Ancient red rocks, towering headlands, whirlpools, sweeping tides and incredibly blue sea are only part of it. You can tease a sailfish into flashing its rainbow colours, pluck an oyster from a reef and eat it with your feet still in the water, watch seabirds until your eyes begin to smart, follow the path of a green turtle up a beach, hunt successfully for rare shells, listen for crocodiles that go 'humph, humph' in the night, and collect fascinating driftwood crafted by wind and waves into nature's reminders of an incredible journey'.

Romance:

He carried her to the bedroom and, solicitously and without passion, undressed her. She reached under her pillow for a nightgown so filmy that he had trouble finding back and front. Finally he had it right way around and pulled it over her head. She jumped into bed and he soon joined her under the blankets, feeing gawky and bony in his boxer shorts. Olive dimmed the lights from the bedhead and said: “Thank you for marrying me. Put your arms around me but please don't make love to me. Tonight we should just comfort each other, not with passion but with tenderness. It's important that we start our married life this way, thoughtfully and gently. Perhaps in the morning. . .'

Meet the author

Athol Thomas is an award-winning journalist who has had books published nationally and internationally, mainly in travel and history. His bestseller was “Bulls and Boabs”, which ran into nine editions including one in Braille. His experience as a journalist means his prose is taut and colourful and his familiarity with the Kimberley brings this renowned 'last frontier' to life.