Author Fiona Tarr, whose latest book is set in Cooktown, says the “dark, apprehensive edge” of remote places like Cape York makes the perfect setting for a crime thriller. Photo: Supplied.
A bestselling author will return to the scene of the crime when she promotes her latest Cape York-flavoured book in Cooktown next month.
Fiona Tarr will be at the Cooktown Library from 10:30am on 30 July to talk to literary lovers about her latest release, Grave Mistake, which is the third book in her Australian crime series set in the south-eastern Cape York township.
A self-confessed people watcher, Ms Tarr loves to interpret body language and social cues, and said she believed Cooktown and its characters were the ideal fuel for creative inspiration.
“My first hit series, Opal Fields, was set in central South Australia in Coober Pedy, and I was looking for another location that would offer a similar small, rural town setting, but different enough that readers of my existing books would find something unique about it,” she explained.
“Since I’ve visited Cooktown annually for a few years now, it seemed ideal to base the new series there.
“For me, remote Australia has that dark, apprehensive edge to it that provides the perfect setting for a crime novel; but small, remote towns are often strong, close-knit communities, and that aspect is perfect for creating genuine, authentic characters that pull together in tough times and care for one another like city dwellers can’t or don’t; add in the climate, natural disasters, deadly creatures and, dare I say, the people who are drawn to the remoteness to avoid being noticed, and you have all the ingredients to fill the pages of bestselling novels.”
In her latest offering, Detective Dawn Grave has returned to Cooktown after 20 years after having left everything behind to escape the tragedy of her youth, including her brother’s unsolved murder.
New bodies soon begin to pile up, the book’s protagonist takes the lead in the investigation to find the killer before they strike again.
The author said she was looking forward to swapping winter in the southern part of the state for Cooktown’s dry season, adding she believed the town’s rich history were a “springboard for the social issues” that appeared on the pages of her books.
“The tropical humidity along with the quirky characters I’ve met in the region ignited my imagination and, because I’ve been there, I’m able to put myself into each scene and bring an authenticity to each book in the series,” Ms Tarr said.
“Cooktown is steeped in Australian culture, both Indigenous and colonial, and these are a springboard for the social issues that often are found in the background of all my books.
“I’m very much looking forward to returning to Cooktown this winter; I was there around the same time last year and enjoyed a few days kitesurfing out at Archer Point.”
And could Cape York make another appearance in one of Ms Tarr’s upcoming books?
“After Cooktown, we’ll be venturing to the tip (Pajinka) and that’s going to be a fantastic chance to find even more inspiration for future novels,” she said.
