How extraordinary – we have only just confirmed the cover design of the new book – Tongariro Skulduggery – with the printers, and yet orders keep on arriving. Even from West Island and USA. I suspect some may imagine they are ordering a book about trout fishing on the Tongariro River? Hence this explanation… TRM have advised we cannot take any orders until we have books to post out, which should be sometime later in September. In the meantime, if only to explain and tempt you, the following is an abbreviated ‘Introduction’ as a warning of what to expect:
This intriguing story about the Tongariro River is to explore many other fishy issues which were welded into a fictitious plot, starting on a memorable trout fishing trip. Warning – Like most fishing tales, some of it may be slightly exaggerated.
This is the first (and last!) book by a novice author who was initially hesitant after being told the story would be too provocative and controversial for a publisher, so he published it himself. It is likely the only book based on Turangi, while the Tongariro River is mentioned in every trout fishing book.
The “mockumentary” style relates in the form of a documentary in order to satirize the establishment. It is all true, except when I lied.
If you wish to order this as another comprehensive Tongariro River trout fishing guide then you may be disappointed but I can’t apologise. It is far more interesting and much more fun than just another trout fishy story.
It is a brief history of a delightful little fishing village that could have but never did. But if this story was true, now it can.
Several special important people who agreed to be included deserve a huge vote of gratitude, for having the uncanny vision to recognise a great work of fiction. Many others who have helped guide or censor the author’s imagination also deserve a mention. Thank you to all the TRM inmates and staff and friends and neighbours and other anglers who may have unwittingly contributed to the drama. In particular, many thanks to Flo and SWMBO and Sonny Jim (not their real names) who all contributed by allowing their involvement and patiently discovering every new twist and turn in their life stories, which they were previously unaware of.
Welcome to the quirky world of TRM where fact and fiction get confused every day when anglers return empty handed to convince us about the big one that got away. Anglers know the trout always grow much larger after they break off. Of course the inmates are always right.
Tongariro Skulduggery will not be available in bookshops or libraries. All profits (?) will be directed to a conservation trust set up to protect and improve local trout rivers. TRM will advise further when it is available – only at reception. Please hold off booking your copy until then. Thanking you in anticipation…
