Stories from Australia and beyond
My published works
Here is my collection of novels and short stories. Each book is a unique exploration of characters and worlds, crafted with as much ability as I can muster.
ONE PENNY.
Two boys find a penny in the dust of Scott’s Creek, a small country town in central Queensland. The public squabble over ownership of the coin causes their father, the local Blacksmith to mete out some rough punishment. In his rage, he seriously harms the eldest boy, Lindsay, starting a chain reaction of events that changes the lives of so many. It is 1899, and Australia is recruiting soldiers to fight in South Africa. Forced onto a ship and away from his family, Lindsay’s father finds that he is the only one with the knowledge of a plot to destroy many lives. He has no way to warn his fellow enlistees, and the fact that he is widely hated by most in his home town does not help him in his quest to bring down the man responsible. Follow Malachi Tanner and his sons Lindsay and Henry as the story takes them through war, survival, joy and tears over the span of almost 100 years, up to a modern investigation that still needs to know exactly what happened at the turn of the last century.
THE SHIPPING FORECAST
Things are not quite what they seem for Declan Grey, whose world has just been turned upside-down. On the street with no money and no friends, he needs to think quickly to get his life back on track and get some well earned revenge whilst he is at it. The first book in the Letter-opener trilogy, opens up the belly of London's underground where there are more interesting characters waiting to meet Mr Grey than he might expect.
ISLANDS
Part two of the Letter-opener series finds a police department scratching it's collective heads over a mysterious explosion, and a retired agent who does not want to be pulled back into a world that he thought he left behind for good. Questions that need answers and an ongoing web of nefarious schemes that all seem connected draw Declan Grey from one Island to another.
PEACE ON EARTH
In the final part of the Letter opener saga, find out what the mysterious Agency has been plotting when Declan Grey discovers he is a prisoner at their pleasure. Can he escape and save the world from more peace than it needs? Or will civilisation be consigned to a future decided by a madman?
MAX
Follow the adventures of Max, a children's book about a mighty fighting fish, as he tries to save his friends from the jaws of the evil Arowana.
About G R Parker
Hmmm, what to write here? Does it make any difference? Don't know, I guess I like to see a photo of an author on a book, (after trying to guess what they look like of course) but really, am I interested in their life in every detail? I suppose some people are.
Well then, I live on the Gold Coast in Queensland Australia, and I am trying to churn out as many novels as I can as the ideas come to me. I have been writing for about 15 years and one day hope to get it right (well, almost). I think I came fairly close with One Penny and if you are looking for a good solid book with an interesting story, I would start with this one.
Ah, yes, this is supposed to be about me, well, I was born in the UK in 1965, migrated to Australia when I was 17 with a suitcase and a couple of dollars and have managed to survive ever since. More, I am married to my lovely Jane, have two wonderful children and as of right now am pretty content.
So why write books then?
Good question, I don't know, just feel that they are in my head and need to be born, I'll stop when they do.
At this time, all books can be found and purchased here...
Just search for Gary Parker in the bookstore section
My inspiration
You might have guessed that this is a pre-generated template and I have left in these boxes to have a little fun with and maybe be a little more interesting than…I always read Shakespeare or Tolkien etc. Well, all I can say is that I bloody well read everything I can get my hands on. If I get some inspiration from that, well so be it!
The writing process
Can you imagine a dusty office with a typewriter…nah.
I sit outside in my garden with the birds and the magnificent Australian weather, can't think of a better way to do it, can you?
My vision for readers
The books are for anybody who would like to read them, If I manage to connect in some way then, great, if not, well, I tried. However, when I get a feeling whilst reading another author's work and they manage to make a connection with me, that is pretty much what I would hope for.
Connect with me
Your thoughts and feedback really do interest me, I am so small that I don't have a posh office or people to answer mail, so you are talking directly to the organ grinder here. I would love to hear anything, anyone has to say (except politics, think we can leave that one alone).
One review of the novel One Penny.
A real insight into life at the turn of the previous century and in particular of the relationship between Australians and South Africans from the Boer War. Having an intimate knowledge of the areas in Australia Parker chose to bring his characters to life in, I must say his research was impeccable which made the story all that more enjoyable for me. Parker's writing style easily takes you on the journey with his characters and I would definitely recommend it to anyone wanting to learn more about Australia and the early hardships. Loved it!
A devoted reader from Queensland
Connect with G R Parker
