Author of celebrated novel ‘The Suspect’ visits town

A special afternoon

Jamie Jansen

Journalist

Email Jamie
Last updated:
Award winning author Michael Robotham visited Whileaway Bookshop and Cafe last Saturday to talk about his latest book. Image: supplied

Visitors were hanging on his lip last Saturday when award-winning author Michael Robotham paid a special visit to Whileaway Bookshop and Cafe to talk about his latest book ‘Lying Beside You’.

Not just any name walked into the popular Port Douglas bookshop this weekend.

Mr Robotham is two-times Gold Dagger winner (2015 and 2020), twice Edgar best novel finalist (2016 and 2020) and winner of the Ian Fleming Steel Dagger (2021).

The author was born in Australia in November 1960 and grew up in a small country town. He escaped to become a cadet journalist at an afternoon newspaper in Sydney and worked for newspapers and magazines in Australia, Europe, Africa and America.

In 1993 he quit journalism to become a ghostwriter and his first novel 'The Suspect', a psychological thriller, was published in 2004.

Since then,Mr Robotham’s psychological thrillers have been translated into twenty-five languages and his Joe O'Loughlin series have been developed into a tv series on ITV.

A six-part TV series based upon his standalone novel ‘The Secrets She Keeps’ was aired on BBC1 in 2020, and a second season has just been released.

It turned out the writer himself had a great day too and would like to come back. Image: supplied

A great storyteller

Owner of Whileaway, Devra King, told Newsport there was a great turnout of serious Robotham fans and curious readers, around 45 people attended.

“Everyone loved it. Michael is a really great storyteller, a very experienced and entertaining public speaker and fantastic at responding to questions,” she said.

“He talked about his latest book, his career as a crime reporter here and in the UK and explained how he got into crime fiction. We then got into a very lively Q&A and finished with Michael signing his books.

“I'm personally a big fan of his books, especially this latest book. It is the third book in a series. The main characters are incredibly interesting and the plot is very believable. I highly recommend his award winning books to everyone who likes an intelligent and entertaining thriller.”

Busy schedule

It turned out the writer himself had a great day too when he asked Ms King to keep in touch with his publisher press contacts as he had a really good time.

“He was very impressed with the turnout and would like to do another event next time he's in the area, which he absolutely loves,” Ms King said.

Booklovers can indulge themselves over the coming weeks with several other authors visiting for signings.

“On Saturday August 20th we will be welcoming Steve Hile, author of Young Griffo, a biography about a young Australian street fighter who became the World Featherweight boxing champion from 1890 to 1892.

“Then we have children's author Charlie Archbold coming in to sign her new book ‘The Sugarcane Kids’, set in Far North Queensland, on Sunday August 28th. All details will be forthcoming.”

Thank you!

Newsport thanks its advertising partners for their support in the delivery of daily community news to the Douglas Shire. Public interest journalism is a fundamental part of every community.

Got a news tip? Let us know! Send your news tips or submit a letter to the editor here.

* Comments are the opinions of readers and do not represent the views of Newsport, its staff or affiliates. Reader comments on Newsport are moderated before publication to promote valuable, civil, and healthy community debate. Visit our comment guidelines if your comment has not been approved for publication.