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 shaggy sheep 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 Chronicles
Geyser in the Creek
Stamp in the Creek