November 21, 2015
Hivesville author Graham Braddock unveiled his first novel at a special launch at the Wondai Art Gallery on Friday night.
Graham has published previous books, mostly commissioned historical or technical works, but this is his first fiction tale.
“Operation Gravelrash” is the first in a planned series of “Superintendent Lawrence Parry” mysteries.
It’s set in Queensland during Cyclone Oswald and involves a stalled search for a murderer as well as mysterious shipments which could affect Australia’s national security.
Graham said it was a “whodunnit” in the English style of mystery writing, and his hero detective was a younger “Inspector Foyle” type, although he had only realised this after the book had been sent off to the printers and he was relaxing watching TV.
“It’s my first novel but it’s been 40 years in the making,” he joked.
“When I finally sat down and started writing it took less than three months.”
Graham said the enjoyment of writing for him came from sitting down and looking at a blank screen.
“And then you start banging on the keys and it just happens. After quarter of an hour, I look up at the screen and I am absolutely amazed at what is there. It is a brain dump,” he said.
Graham’s second book in the series, “Operation Highflyer” – based around the MH-17 airliner disaster – is well on its way and should be released in mid-2016.
He has also drafted out a storyline for a third mystery, tentatively titled “Operation Touchdown”, which should be completed by 2017.
Cr Kathy Duff officially launched the book, and read a review of the novel written by her father, Mick – who also attended the launch – who concluded “I recommend it as a very good read”.
Wondai Gallery curator Elaine Madill said “Operation Gravelrash” was the third book to be launched at the gallery within a few months and she hoped to host more.
“It’s a great opportunity to bring more people to our gallery who may not be coming to our opening nights,” she said.
“And it’s wonderful that we have so many writers in our midst.”
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