Okiwi Brown

The Burke and Hare 'anatomy murders' of 1828 cast a long shadow over Edinburgh, leaving the populace terrified until the notorious Burke is hanged and Hare mysteriously disappears.

Over a decade later, during the formative years of New Zealand's colonial settlement, a ragged whaler is found washed ashore on the rugged eastern beaches of Port Nicholson. He assumes the name Okiwi Brown, and with audacious resolve, opens a pub noted for its unsavoury reputation. His only companion is a woman he claims as his own, found abandoned and destitute on the very shore he washed up on. Nearby, the local children whisper sinister nursery rhymes that hint at echoes of violence and dark secrets.

On an ordinary afternoon, Okiwi Brown receives an unexpected visit from a peculiar group: two ex-soldiers, an irate bo'sun seeking a brawl, and itinerant worker William Leckie accompanied by his young daughter, Mary. The seemingly chance gathering turns ominous when a body is discovered lifeless on the beach. The death could be dismissed as a misfortune of drunken folly, yet beneath the surface, those present harbour secrets and suspicions that suggest foul play.

Christina Sanders crafts a deeply atmospheric and gripping narrative in Okiwi Brown, weaving historical intrigue with the haunting beauty of New Zealand's early settlement days. This riveting tale delves into themes of survival, guilt, and the haunting legacies of past deeds, drawing readers into a world where every character's true nature is slowly unravelled.

With its richly detailed setting and enigmatic characters, Okiwi Brown offers a spellbinding journey into a past filled with mystery, danger, and the enduring human spirit.