Herb Turgent of Dunlop Crescent in a suburb close to Melbourne’s CBD has opinions. He writes letters to the editor of the local newspaper and phones Julian Spence in the Morning, a radio talkback program. Gordon Berenger is Herb’s best friend and neighbour.

Herb tells Gordon that a Maori family from Pakistan or ‘somewhere in the Middle East’ has moved into number 14. He’s sure they are terrorists and they’ve come to Australia via New Zealand to avoid suspicion. Herb has heard it on good authority (Leo from the pub, who was told it by Ponch from the estate agents) that the Maori family are about to turn their house to face Mecca. Herb wants Gordon’s help to stop this from happening.

Another of Gordon’s friends, Jonah Cretardo, also lives in Dunlop Crescent. He has a problem with a DVD he recently bought and contacts the store to complain. Jonah is not happy with the response from management and gives the impression that his friends in al-Qaeda will be round to sort them all out.

Without warning, Jonah’s front door is bashed off its hinges by a battering ram, a foul white gas from three canisters hisses around his ankles and he’s arrested.

It’s not long before Julian Spence of morning radio fame gets to hear about the two incidents. Julian’s ratings soar. Herb Turgent and Jonah Cretardo become infamous.

Comedian Tony Martin has written a very funny satirical novel inspired by actual letters to an editor of a suburban newspaper. The misunderstandings, unforgettable characters and cynical media figures generate a host of laugh-out-loud moments.

Reviewed by Clive Hodges