Almost from the very first page Gunpowder Creek sets a frenetic pace.

A frantic voicemail from Emily’s son, Zach, breaks the monotony of the spreadsheet modelling she is working on at work. Zach, 18, had moved out into his own flat. The phone call is bizarre and frightening. Zach begs for help, telling Emily they are coming for him, that he has done something stupid. Then fright turns to panic as the call abruptly ends with a gunshot.

Emily speeds to Zach’s place. She arrives to an empty flat. Empty apart from the bag of white pills on the table. Before she has time to think, two thugs turn up with Zach. The thugs are going to kill Zach and now her, because of a job that Zach has botched. To save her son Emily takes on the job. She must drive 900 kilometres into the heart of Western Australia to Gunpowder Creek and deliver whatever is in the boot of the car. It is Friday afternoon, if she does not make it by Monday Zach dies.

What should be essentially a long road trip, albeit one with deadly consequences for tardiness, turns into a deadly chase through the outback of Western Australia. There is somebody else who wants the cargo in the boot.

The narrative is broken into four days and shifts perspective between Emily, Zach and the mysterious pursuer. Fleshing out the character of the pursuer is a great idea and the switches to his perspective work well.

Gunpowder Creek is an enjoyable fast-paced debut novel that shows just how far a mother is prepared to go to protect her son.

Reviewed by Neale Lucas

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alex is a writer based in Perth, Western Australia.

His previous writing has been longlisted for the 2019 Fogarty Literary Award and Highly Commended in the 2021 Fogarty Literary Award. Among his influences are Patricia Highsmith, Garry Disher, Adrian McKinty, Mick Herron and Jane Harper.

When he’s not writing he’s usually changing nappies or making excuses to not mow the lawn.Gunpowder Creek is his first novel.

Visit his website here.