Reviewed by Rod McLary
The author of this new book – Alex Dook – describes it as ‘a simple story’ [author note] and, on its surface, it is exactly that. But when the reader begins the novel, it takes on a depth which pulls the reader into a nightmare of life and death.
Gunpowder Creek is set in the Western Australian outback full of wide-open spaces, hidden dangers – both human and non-human – and a pervasive sense of peril. Consequently it is a fine example of Australian outback noir characterised by a skilful melding of plot and landscape to create a sense of remoteness with people few and far between.
The narrative begins one Friday afternoon when eighteen-year-old Zach sends Emily his mother a chilling voicemail: Mum, please. I need your help. I’ve done something stupid … They’re coming for me followed by the sound of a gunshot. And thus begins a cat and mouse tale where Emily has a challenging task and the cost of not completing it is Zach’s death. It sounds simple enough – deliver a car with an unknown cargo to Gunpowder Creek by a certain time or Zach will die. It is a familiar trope in the crime genre: a deadline to meet or there will be dire consequences. What lifts this novel above the commonplace is the characterisation the protagonists and their backstories. These backstories are gradually disclosed through the narrative and add a depth to the novel and turns it from a plot-driven narrative to a character-driven one.
A good example is Zach, somewhat feckless and more than a little out of his depth, but he has a self-deprecatory sense of humour. He says to his fellow captive at a bad moment: ‘Let it out. I’d join you, but I’ve already screamed and cried my little heart out’ [257].
The introduction of a third person, determined that Emily and her cargo do not reach their destination, suddenly elevates the level of tension to nail-biting. The fate of Zach is of no concern to this person, a formidable opponent but one who has his own weaknesses and blind spots. This is one of the strengths of the novel – that each of the players is three-dimensional and relatable.
Another strength is the novel’s laconic and typically Australian dialogue – humorous, tongue-in-cheek and straight-to-the-point – and backed up by astute characterisation as in:
This is how Wayne lived. When something went right, when he’d gotten a score, he was king of the world. A special kind of genius. Everyone’s best mate. When things went south, he was just a clueless person standing by, shaking his head at the silliness of it all [133].
All in all, the author has crafted a fine debut novel and one which promises great things to come. Well recommended to all aficionados of crime novels and especially those of outback noir. I must add that the ending of the novel is one of the most heart-warming I have seen for some time.
Alex Dook is based in Perth and his previous writing has been longlisted for the for the 2019 Fogarty Literary Award and Highly Commended in the 2021 Fogarty Literary Award. The Award is biennial and is awarded to a Western Australian author aged between 18 and 35 for an unpublished work of fiction, narrative non-fiction or young adult fiction.
Gunpowder Creek
[2025]
by Alex Dook
Echo Publishing
ISBN: 978 1786 5856 6 0
$32.99; 314pp