Wilfred Sinclair used his considerable influence to secure a place for his brother in the flying school of Charles Kingsford Smith. An airstrip was built at Oaklea and a hangar purchased at Mascot. It seemed Wilfred Sinclair had plans that involved both Rowland and the Gipsy Moth.
The citizens of Sydney went about their business, coping as best they could in the difficult economic times with its massive unemployment, barely noticing the vacancies that remained for the position of World Prophet.
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A Few Right Thinking Men
A Decline in Prophets
Miles Off Course
Paving the New Road
Gentlemen Formerly Dressed
A Murder Unmentioned
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Acknowledgements
It has been said that there is no person more excruciatingly grateful than the debut author, who, consequently, should be forgiven for feeling the need to formally acknowledge every person she has ever met. I am no longer a debut author, but I am no less grateful than I was when A Few Right Thinking Men was published. Indeed, if anything, I’m more appreciative of the time, energy and good will it takes to support those of us who refuse to do anything but tell stories. So I beg your indulgence as I make this public acknowledgement of a sincere and personal gratitude to:
My husband, Michael, who is so familiar and comfortable with the 1930s that one suspects he’s a lot older than he’s willing to admit, who is my partner in this and all things… except crime… he draws the line at crime.
My boys, Edmund and Atticus, who are still convinced I could improve this series with a few werewolves and the odd vampire. I have agreed to think about it.
My father, who not only encouraged me to follow my dreams but demanded that I do so.
My sisters, Devini and Nilukshi, who have never rolled their eyes in my presence… about my books anyway.
My childhood co-conspirator, Leith Henry (nee Baird) who lent me her support, her advice and her family name, and without whom I might long ago have collapsed in a heap of self-doubt. The indomitable J.C. Henry, whose name I also appropriated for the purposes of this novel, and who is now demanding his own series.
Dick Thompson who helped me assess murder methods to ensure they would in fact result in a corpse. For the record, nobody was actually killed in the process.
Alison and John Green and the team at Pantera Press, who are excellent in every sense, and who have provided my writing with a true home. I will always be grateful and humbled by their belief in my work. I will always feel lucky that I found my way to Pantera Press.
Luke Causby who once again designed a cover that clothes my writing like an impeccably tailored, three-piece suit.
Deonie Fiford who edited this book with insight, wisdom and warmth, who left encouraging notes in the margin that made the task of re-writing a joy.
Trudy Johnston, to whom fell the task of telling the world of my books, and who did so with grace and dignity.
The Marshalls, the Wainwrights, the Kynastons, the O’Briens, Wallace Fernandes, Alastair Blanshard, Laurie Keenan, Stanley Sparkes, Cheryl Bousfield, Lesley Bouquet and Rebecca Crandell, all of whom I have prevailed upon, from time to time, to provide me and the characters of this book, with opinions, inspiration, and personal idiosyncrasies. In the last case, I didn’t always ask.
The people of Batlow, Tumbarumba, Adelong and Tumut, whose extraordinary support for a local writer is deeply valued.
The greater community of reviewers, bloggers, booksellers and readers who have read, spotlighted and promoted the Rowland Sinclair series. I am in awe of your power and truly, truly grateful.
Harper Collins Publishers Australia, who are the publishers of Norman Lindsay’s iconic work, The Magic Pudding, and who kindly gave their permission for extracts of that text to be reproduced in A Decline in Prophets. Thank you for your generosity.
And finally, to be safe, everybody I’ve ever met.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT THE ROWLAND SINCLAIR SERIES
‘’Witty dialogue, lively characters, and a shrewd political awareness of the times.”—MARELE DAY, AWARD-WINNING NOVELIST
“A Few Right Thinking Men is a richly drawn and involving Australian historical crime novel… it’s a cut above much Australian crime. It’s well researched and atmospheric, with a brisk pace, colourful characters and charming period dialogue.”
—THE AGE, PICK OF THE WEEK
“It takes a talented writer to imbue history with colour and vivacity. It is all the more impressive when the author creates a compelling narrative… Gentill shows great understanding of both craft and structure…. The novel deserves to be both read and remembered…”
—AUSTRALIAN BOOK REVIEW (LAURIE STEED)
“Gentill has chosen a fascinating yet little-known period in history… fans of classic crime fiction will also be pleased to learn that, with her amateur detective Rowland Sinclair, she has brought back the gentleman sleuth but with a difference: he’s a larrikin Lord Peter Wimsey, with a penchant for living la vie de boheme.”
—SUN-HERALD (CHRISTINE CREMEN)
“… an historical crime novel with a difference… Gentill has created a cast of unique and likeable characters who drive the novel with their humorous
and witty dialogue… such an enjoyable and informative read…”
—CENTRAL COAST ADVOCATE (ALESHA EVANS)
“… historically correct, gripping, no-holds-barred… an enjoyable read for young and old.”—BOOKSELLER + PUBLISHER MAGAZINE
ABOUT SULARI GENTILL
Sulari set out to study astrophysics, ended up graduating in law, and later abandoned her legal career to write books instead of contracts. When the mood takes her, she paints, although she maintains that she does so only well enough to know that she should write. She grows French Black Truffles on her farm in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains of NSW, which she shares with her young family and several animals (the farm not the truffles). Sulari was shortlisted for Best First Book in South East Asia and Pacific for the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize 2011. She was recently offered a Varuna Fellowship. She was commended in the Fellowship of Australian Writers’ 2008 Jim Hamilton Award, long-listed for the Hachette/Queensland Writers’ Centre Australian Manuscript Development Program for fiction writers’ and shortlisted for the 2008 New Holland Publishers and NSW Writers’ Centre Genre Fiction Award. Sulari is the author of A Few Right Thinking Men (the first book in the Rowland Sinclair Series). She also writes Young Adult fiction. Chasing Odysseus, the first book in the HERO trilogy, was released in early 2011.
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