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Novel set in Tasmania (and the Snotty Trevally)

16th January 2013

Bay of Fires by Poppy Gee, novel set in Tasmania, Australia

075538783X.01.ZTZZZZZZWe now have several novels on our database set in Tasmania – not bad for a small island. This is our latest addition and one that really brings The Bay of Fires, an idyll on the North East Coast of the island, to life.

This book is richly peppered with life on the island, the flora, fauna and fish – from the red watarahs and flexing kangaroo tails to the flame trees. As the reader you are really looking in on this small community, idyllically nestled amongst the dunes, looking out to sea.

Two women have disappeared, Chloe Crawford some months ago and just recently the body of Anja Traugott washes up onto the beach. Hall Flynn, roving reporter and Sarah Avery, visiting with her family, start to unravel the threads that may or may not link the two deaths.

Sarah has tried to leave her demons behind, but they soon come knocking on her door. But as the erstwhile supervisor of a Barramundi farm, she brings to the reader her knowledge of fish and fishing. Going fishing is also her escape and the reader will inevitably come away knowing more about fish and island life. If you discover a blue ringed octopus, for example, stay well clear; its bite is fatal and its venom will kill an adult human being in 3 minutes, there is no antidote. And as for the Snotty Trevally, it’s a fish (How on earth did it get its name one wonders?). And apparently the people from the Tasmanian east coast were the only Aboriginal people in Australia who swam.

This is a novel with a languorous storyline that builds up gradually, set on a beautifully scenic island. The plot can overall, however, feel a bit on the slow side – and if you aren’t into fish, then there is probably information overload.

Tina for the TripFiction Team

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Comments

  1. User: Daiana

    Posted on: 22/02/2016 at 7:41 am

    Amazing pics Magda, makes me want to go back! When you return there is an aziamng bakery in Hobart called Jackman & McRoss if you feel like something naughty but very nice!

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