It’s 1964 and only weeks since the last man hanged in Western Australia but there are already demons stepping up to cast their shadows in the state’s port city. Billy (Bam) McCallum becomes a target for one of these predators after a gut-wrenching encounter that stirs his summer and of those closest to him in his tight community. He soon learns that staying alive is all about staying alert.

About the Author

Born in Fremantle, Brendan Murray has taught Secondary English in WA as well as other parts of the world including Tonga, Singapore and Christmas Island.
Jail Road Shadows is his third fiction novel. His previous titles Tev (short-listed, WA Premier’s Book Awards 2002) and Tev on Home Turf (2004) were published by Fremantle Press. His non-fiction work has included several feature articles for National newspapers and magazines. He currently lives on WA’s south coast.

Book Reviews

READING TIME, March 19, 2018, Reviewed by Mem Capp

A background in education and author of a number of fiction and non-fiction works Brendan Murray’s carefully crafted, evenly paced prose beautiful captures an Australia of the past; a slower, trusting and more innocence time. A time when TV had just arrived and the influence of American popular culture was taking its hold on a generation. A time of the Beatles, the Flintstones and children playing marbles in the school grounds. But like any era, it had its shadowy elements.  Murray cleverly juxtaposes society’s darker underbelly with the innocence of the times to explore something of a more universal nature.  A terrific read for middle to upper primary. Highly recommended.

http://readingtime.com.au/jail-road-shadows/

KALMINER January 26th, 2018

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