Kotuku Creek Chronicles

Geyser in the Creek, the second chronicle a generation later opens with an earthquake creating a massive geyser in the creek. This inspires a tourist invasion and exploitation by Bob Rogers and government agencies, opposed by local Maori protecting their land, but Jack Cavanagh just wants to find his missing grandson Jason and friend the ex-stationmaster Rangi Rangihau. A mistreated, pie-pilfering Great Dane is Jack's best hope, if he can entice it out of hiding.The Listener identified 'a veritable Milkwoodful of characters', in 'a shaggysheep tale' that is 'a bit of a dag'. Daily Telegraph: 'Colourful characters and dialogue add plenty of indigenous flavour to this cleverly crafted tale.' Marlborough Express: 'Smart pace many twists and turns.'The Kotuku ChroniclesGold in the CreekGeyser in the CreekStamp in the Creek

Stamp in the Creek, the final chronicle set in 1949 has fortune hunters looking for a missing and very valuable Kotuku stamp, including the young Bob Rogers and other unscrupulous criminals employing dynamite, arson, intimidation and the kidnapping of postmaster Jack Cavanagh's son in pursuit of the stamp. The chronicles depict villagers defending their peaceful lifestyle against threats from outside exploiters.The Listener identified 'a veritable Milkwoodful of characters', in 'a shaggysheep tale' that is 'a bit of a dag'. Daily Telegraph: 'Colourful characters and dialogue add plenty of indigenous flavour to this cleverly crafted tale.' Marlborough Express: 'Smart pace many twists and turns.'The Kotuku Creek ChroniclesGold in the CreekGeyser in the CreekStamp in the Creek

Gold in the Creek, the first chronicle of the declining coastal village of Kotuku has ex-postmaster Jack Cavanagh at the bowling club AGM fighting to stop its sale when word comes of a gold strike in the local creek. Everybody rushes to the creek, including the posh retirement folk and local clergy. The good news for drug entrepreneur Bob Rogers is the increased traffic, the bad news is his cash crop is nearby. Storekeeper Ron Atkinson sells out of digging implements, his wife cranks up the pie-making, pub owner Ruby Brough instructs husband Bert to order more beer while she dives into the creek. Gold-seeking riffraff swarm in and create mayhem. Bob Rogers does brisk business while protecting his assets with arson and dynamite. He goes too far, trying to ransom Cavanagh's daughter. Jack is now fighting for her life.The Listener identified 'a veritable Milkwoodful of characters', in 'a shaggysheep tale' that is 'a bit of a dag'. Daily Telegraph: 'Colourful characters and dialogue add plenty of indigenous flavour to this cleverly crafted tale.' Marlborough Express: 'Smart pace many twists and turns.'The Kotuhu Creek ChroniclesGold in the CreekGeyser in the CreekStamp in the Creek