Me and Rory Macbeath

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Description

Adelaide, 1977. The year Elvis died. And the year twelve-year-old Jake Taylor meets Rory Macbeath. Until then, Jake's world was small, revolving around his street, his school, and the courthouse where his mum, Harry, was a barrister. His best friend lives only a few houses away. For them daylight is for spinning a cricket ball, riding bikes around the neighbourhood and swimming at the pool until their skin is wrinkled and the zinc on their noses has washed away. But then Rory Macbeath moves into the red-brick house at the end of Rose Avenue and everything changes. At first Jake has his doubts about Rory. But after long days and nights of swimming, fishing and daring each other into trouble, Jake discovers Rory has talents and courage beyond anyone he's ever known. Then, early one evening, Rory disappears. And everyone on Rose Avenue is about to discover why. For Jake and Rory, nothing will ever be the same.

Reviews

Despite its difficult subject matter, this is a majestic, high-ceilinged cathedral of a novel. - The Australian a sobering portrait of sacrifice and lost innocence, a look at the cost of standing up to those who abuse their power - Sydney Morning Herald I fell instantly in love with this book - bitethebook.tumblr.com Richard Beasley has written one of the best accounts of a trial I have ever read, and the fact it is a trial for murder provoked by domestic violence, seen through the eyes of a teenage boy, makes it both heart-wrenching and unforgettable. - Anne Summers

Author Bio

Richard Beasley lives in Sydney, and is the author of two previous novels: HELL HAS HARBOUR VIEWS, which was adapted for ABC Television in 2005, and THE AMBULANCE CHASER. He is also a barrister, and was admitted to the NSW Bar in 1997. He was appointed Silk in 2011.