New Zealand Author Geoff Parkes to Discuss Latest Novel at Swan Hill Library

Parkes' gripping mystery set in 1990s rural New Zealand explores themes of community and hidden secrets.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 3:47am

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The community is invited to the Swan Hill Library on Wednesday, February 25th at 7pm for an evening with New Zealand-born writer Geoff Parkes, who will discuss his latest novel, "The First Law of the Bush." Set in the rugged King Country of 1990s New Zealand, the book follows a gripping mystery as the widow Carol searches for answers about her husband Bill Dickerson's shocking death.

Why it matters

Parkes' novels draw on his own experiences growing up in a small town, exploring themes of interconnectedness and the hidden secrets that can lurk beneath the surface of close-knit communities. The event offers local readers a chance to connect directly with a compelling contemporary author.

The details

In "The First Law of the Bush," tension builds as Carol's search gradually uncovers long-buried secrets, keeping readers guessing until the very last page. Libraries Manager Camille Cullinan noted that Parkes' vivid descriptions of the unrelenting bush, bitterly cold mornings, and endless farmland create an authentic sense of the 1990s King Country setting.

  • The event will take place on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 7pm.

The players

Geoff Parkes

A New Zealand-born writer who has written a weekly opinion column for The Roar, Australia's leading online sports website, for more than 12 years. He is also the author of "When the Deep, Dark Bush Swallows You Whole," which introduced readers to lawyer Ryan Bradley.

Camille Cullinan

The Libraries Manager who is thrilled to welcome Geoff Parkes to Swan Hill Library, noting that his novels draw on his own experiences growing up in a small town similar to Nashville.

Bill Dickerson

The husband of Carol Dickerson, whose shocking death is the central mystery at the heart of Parkes' novel "The First Law of the Bush."

Carol Dickerson

The widow of Bill Dickerson, who searches for answers about her husband's death in Parkes' novel "The First Law of the Bush."

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What they’re saying

“We're thrilled to welcome Geoff Parkes to Swan Hill Library.”

— Camille Cullinan, Libraries Manager

“Growing up in a small town similar to Nashville, Geoff writes from his own experience in close-knit communities where, much like here, everybody knows everybody.”

— Camille Cullinan, Libraries Manager

“He brings that interconnectedness to his characters, and his descriptions of the unrelenting bush, bitterly cold mornings, and endless farmland create a vivid, authentic sense of the King Country in the 1990s - a world where it's easy to imagine how quietly someone could disappear.”

— Camille Cullinan, Libraries Manager

What’s next

Books will be available for purchase and signing at the event, courtesy of Collins Booksellers Swan Hill. Bookings are preferred and can be made by contacting Swan Hill Library.

The takeaway

Geoff Parkes' novels offer a compelling exploration of the interconnectedness and hidden secrets within close-knit rural communities, drawing on his own experiences growing up in a small town. The upcoming event at Swan Hill Library provides a unique opportunity for local readers to engage directly with this contemporary New Zealand author.