Mark Brandi, Eden

 

- Well-known and highly regarded literary thriller author Mark Brandi has written a seemingly simple but deep and penetrating story about crimes, their origins, and their long term repercussions.

- The back cover blurb summarises the story well:

Cities are tough when you’ve grown up as a country kid. They’re even tougher after nine years inside. Tom Blackburn is fresh out of jail and not sure where his future lies. He knows what he wants but he’s pretty sure she doesn’t want him.

Tom‘s left his old life and his old name behind but his options aren’t great. He knows sleeping on the streets is the quickest way back to a cell. And then his luck turns around. A chance encounter leads to a job and somewhere to stay. A place in the dead centre of Melbourne. Eden, his new boss calls it.

Honest physical work. A bit of gardening, bit of gravedigging, bit of whatever he’s told to do. Fresh air, currawongs, a bed and some peace and quiet. It’s the perfect place to save some money and make some plans. A place to keep his head down and stay out of trouble.

But trouble finds him. Serious trouble. He’s missed the signs, again. Going back to jail might be the safest option. Unless he can figure some way out of the danger he’s in.

- We can't help but sympathise with Tom, and the work relationships he has to make in the cemetery in order to earn some money, get some accomodation, and move on with his life. But that proves to be very difficult. There are secrets there, and it's worth of lot of money to keep quiet about them. 

- A very satisfying read.