Buy Me Love – Greg Brook (Tolcarne Press, $27.99)
Reviewed by Louise Ward, Wardini Books
What would happen if, in a small South Island village, each resident inherited $4 million? It sounds like a card drawn from a philosophical discussion game, ripe for robust conversation. It's also the premise of this novel.
Mark travels from Auckland to see his parents for a few days. His marriage is rocky and he needs a bit of space. Not one to pay much attention to family matters, he doesn't realise that his parents are going to be away. His first encounter with local law enforcement is when he tries to break into his old family home.
Mark catches up with his old mate Andy, now a vicar, while home in Bridgetown. It turns out that Angela is also back in town - she's the girl they both still carry a torch for. Meanwhile, an elderly American watches the town's comings and goings closely from his retreat on the hill.