Below is a repeat of the TRM blog one year ago. The book is still selling from TRM reception but we are running out… Thank you to so many for your comments.
Warning – Most fishos start reading the book in their units during wet days when the river is too swollen to fish, and get caught up with the devious plot and have to buy a copy to find out what happens…
She dreamed about me!
This is not a coincidence as it is the second time this has happened…
Wow! Arguably the best review for TONGARIRO SKULDUGGERY so far was from another “mature” inmate who knew nothing about the book or the Tongariro River or trout fishing, but she found the book in her unit and read most of the story the night before departure. She was so excited as she booked out. She explained she had dreamed about me and the plot so she so had to buy a copy to see what happened!
I bet the local studs – Didymo Dave and Harvey Clark – cannot match that.
SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed manages everything at the motel) suggests it might have been a nightmare?
The book has sparked so much interest – indicated by so many questions over the last year. Every day we receive new requests from bewildered fascinated suspicious perceptive readers. Anglers are so seriously confused by the “mockumentary” style composition.
To help explain, some of their questions are listed below (just like the wish list of 20 requests in the “Turangi Treaty”). Naturally, we cannot answer them all without giving away the devious plot; but a taste, asking more info to determine what is fact or fiction, is below.
1 Was the skull real? (The most common question by far…)
2 Where is the skull now?
3 Do I really have historic Maori ancestry?
4 Where is the anglers access track above the Fence Pool limit?
5 Was the car accident real? (Fiction)
6 Have I really been registered on the Maori electoral roll for over 40 years? (Fact)
7 Did they really try to burn down TRM’s sign and fence? (Fact)
8 Is the evidence of pre-Maori occupation true? (Fact)
9 Did the self-portrait really sell for over eight million pounds? (Fact)
10 Following the publication, has Sonny Jim retired? (Fiction)
11 Did Taupo Council really fine TRM for signs promoting tourism? (Fact)
12 Did I receive death threats? (Fact)
13 Were the TRM dogs really poisoned?
14 Did TRM have to get legal advice before publishing?
15 Which inmates were on the TRM ladies committee?
16 Have TRM received any more threats since publication?
17 Is TRM developing a retirement village on the motel site? *
18 How much $$$ Koha was received in return for spying?
19 Was TRM’s phone bugged?
20 Will there be a sequel?
etc…….
To answer these questions and solve the plot, TONGARIRO Skulduggery can only be purchased from TRM. All profits go into special conservation projects on the Tongariro River. The first offer – to help fund tourist information panels to explain some of the rich histories of the various famous pools – was refused by Council. Now it is being directed at gaining permission to extend the existing 100 year old anglers’ access tracks up river beyond the Fence Pool. Watch this space.
re 17* above – a resource consent application has been submitted to Taupo Council for redevelopment for “cohousing” – for any anglers interested in an apartment in Turangi, this offers far better value than a 50 year old traditional house in the village. In addition to the more attractive architect (Roger Walker from Wellington) design as an anglers’ retreat, with all communal facilities, one of the main advantages commented on by prospective buyers is the enhanced security available in a managed village. This has become increasingly important these days. This is not a retirement village as there is no age barrier to join. If you are interested, more detailed plans are available in TRM reception.
