MALENY readers are in for a literary treat when bestselling author Chris Hammer (pictured) visits next month to discuss his latest thriller, ‘Legacy’.
Hammer is best known for his ‘bush noir’ novels, a category that might almost have been invented to describe his work. His stories unfold in remote corners of Australia: the opal fields of Lightning Ridge, the dry expanses of northwestern Victoria, and other marginal country. They have struck a chord with readers worldwide, selling several million copies, with two adapted for television as Scrublands.
But Hammer’s path to fiction began in journalism. An award-winning political reporter, he covered the intrigues of Canberra before walking away to travel the Murray–Darling from the Paroo to Adelaide. The result was The River, a much-praised exploration of Australia’s most important waterway. More than that, it gave him the insight into people and landscapes that now defines his fiction.
Although his plots hinge on crimes investigated by recurring characters such as detective Nell Buchanan or reporter Martin Scarsden, the real strength of his novels lies in the richness of the places and communities they portray. Hammer avoids stereotypes, offering authentic portraits of regional life.
His new novel, Legacy, brings Scarsden back into focus. This time he isn’t chasing wrongdoing but running for his life. Pursued into the desert, he must survive while uncovering who wants him dead.
Chris Hammer will be in conversation with Steven Lang for Outspoken on Tuesday, October 7, at Maleny Community Centre, 6 for 6.30pm.
Tickets: $27.50/$19.20 at www.outspokenmaleny.com. Upcoming guests include Heather Rose, Bob Brown and Hugh Mackay.