(As well as being available as both a paperback or a Kindle on the various Amazon sites, Barnes & Noble, etc, the book and e-book can also be ordered directly from my publisher, BookLocker, on: https://booklocker.com/books/8664.html. You can also read the beginning of the novel on either website.)

This was my first novel and was originally published in 2002. It was one of the happiest days in my life, seeing a book of mine in print for the first time. My publisher arranged a local launch when I had to read out the opening chapter to the gathered populace, several friends came along who I hadn’t in many cases seen for years, and then we all went to have a meal at a Chinese restaurant.

The book is a political thriller set in Jakarta just after the riots which led to the downfall of Soeharto and the beginning of reformasi, the first steps towards Indonesia becoming a democracy. It got some good reviews and the small publisher marketed it well, and it sold most of its copies, I think, to American libraries after a starred review in Booklist.

Sadly, the publishing company was taken over by a larger one and became an imprint of the main company. I guess this is a reality in the modern world, and it was obvious that the imprint wouldn’t survive long. So when the imprint was officially shelved, I re-published the book in 2016 with a self-publishing company in America, BookLocker, who did an excellent job, and who have published all of my books since. Marketing a book is a nightmare, though, and isn’t one of my talents.

Below are some of the reviews I got in 2002.

Reviews

‘… a lush, captivating thriller … most of this novel’s potential North American readers won’t have set foot in Indonesia, but through Brayne’s precise, evocative descriptions and lively characters, they will feel as though they’ve just spent several weeks there. A wonderful debut from a writer who deserves a large audience.’ Booklist (Starred Review)


‘There are echoes of Graham Greene in this stylish, thought-provoking thriller that reeks of the damp heat, violence, and corruption of Indonesia.’ Bookseller


‘… a stimulating and highly atmospheric thriller, reminiscent of both Ambler and Greene.’ TangledWeb UK website


‘The atmospherics are skillfully created. I almost expected Peter Lorre and Sidney Greenstreet to put in an appearance.’ Culture Wars


‘Stylish and atmospheric, soaked in steamy tropical heat, this novel will give you a better insight into what goes on under the surface in Indonesia than any guidebook. ‘aguide2indonesia.com

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