Local author and journalist Michael Burge will be making a stop on a national book tour in his home town on December 6, in a conversation with local writers titled Dark Deeds in the Highlands, taking place at The Makers Shed.
This is a chance to snap up a signed copy of his new book Dirt Trap, sequel to his acclaimed debut novel Tank Water, released by Adelaide’s MidnightSun Publishing.
“Since Richard and I moved our gallery to Deepwater, we’ve expanded the little bookshop inside The Makers Shed,” Michael told Glen Innes News.
“I’m very pleased to be able to present my newest work with that of other local writers, like Deepwater’s Chris McIntosh and D’Arcy Lloyd of Inverell. They both wrote a wonderful range of mystery, horror and ‘noir-ish’ short stories that High Country Books published in Diving Into Deep Water.”
According to Michael, Dirt Trap was inspired by a Tank Water reader’s question, about how the fictitious Brandt family of his first novel would have coped with the NSW Special Commission of Inquiry into LGBTIQ Hate Crimes, a world-first judicial look into one of the state’s darkest eras that he reported on for Guardian Australia from 2022 to 2024.
“It was such a great question, and I went to answer immediately,” he said, “but then I realised there was a whole novel in the answer!”
Michael’s new book has been receiving excellent reviews across the country. Fellow crime author R.W.R. McDonald described the novel as, “Crime fiction at its most vital. A fearless reckoning with queer history and institutional failure. Dirt Trap lays bare the human cost of silence within the closed ranks of a rural Australian town—and what it takes to break it.”
Rural journalist, author and commentator Gabrielle Chan said, “Michael Burge’s Dirt Trap is everything you love about classic rural noir but with diverse characters who better represent the complexity of Australian country towns. His compelling plot will have you racing to the finish and leave you wanting more. What a breath of fresh air!”
Michael, Chris and D’Arcy will be in conversation with Yolanda Sanders of Glen Innes, a writer and former police officer who works with Corrective Services NSW as a probation and parole officer.
“Our region has seen its share of crime over the years, and I expect we’ll be chatting about some pretty dark deeds in the human experience,” Michael said, “although I always think the best approach is to engage a sense of humour. I look forward to meeting local readers.”
Dark Deeds in the Highlands, Saturday December 6th, 2-4pm at The Makers Shed, New England Highway. This is a free event, including drinks and nibbles, books sales and signings. Just turn up or head to 
www.themakersshed.org for more information.
www.themakersshed.org for more information.
