Michael Brissenden Author Talk

Light refreshments will be served from 6pm.

About the book

In the wake of a devastating wildfire that ravages the town of Jasper in the Californian Sierras, a grim discovery unfolds within the charred remains of a shed.

Returning to Jasper after years of absence, Detective Alex Markov is convinced that the deceased, a family friend, fell prey to opportunistic murder amidst the chaos of the fire.

As the smoke begins to dissipate, Alex unravels a web of corruption entrenched in the town’s core. Yet, the cost of revealing this crookedness threatens to shatter not only her own life but also the lives of those she holds dear. Faced with the dilemma of turning a blind eye to the pervading corruption or confronting the truth, Alex must decide whether to risk everything for justice.

Michael Brissenden was a journalist and foreign correspondent with the ABC for thirty-five years. He was posted to Moscow, Brussels and Washington, and worked in Canberra for many years in various roles including as the political editor for ABC TV’s 7.30 and as a reporter with the ABC’s investigative television documentary program Four Corners. Through his reporting, Michael has covered bushfires both in Australia and overseas, including in California. He has published three previous books.

Tim Ayliffe’s thriller novels have been informed by his 25-year career as a journalist in Australia and around the world. He writes about espionage, extremism, politics and the global power games at play in the 21st Century. He has been the Managing Editor of Television and Video for ABC News and also Executive Producer of News Breakfast. He is the author of the ‘John Bailey’ series including the newly released novel, The Wrong Man.

Better Read Than Dead bookshop will be selling copies of Smoke on the night.