A Murder Unmentioned (48 page)

Colonel Eric Campbell unsuccessfully contested the 1935 State Election in the seat of Lane Cove for the Centre Party. The party failed to win a single seat.

After a plebiscite in August 1934, the dual role of Chancellor and Leader of Germany was confirmed upon Adolf Hitler, with an overwhelming majority. Hitler formally became the dictator of Germany.

Rowland Sinclair joined the Movement Against War and Fascism as a fellow traveller, quietly putting his resources behind bringing Egon Kisch to Australia for the Anti-War Congress of 1934.

With his brother’s blessing, Rowland Sinclair invested in Hugh D. McIntosh’s milk bar venture which, initially at least, made the fortunes McIntosh predicted.

The Hon. Robert Gordon Menzies, KC, made the move to federal politics, successfully contesting the seat of Kooyong in September 1934. By October he’d been appointed the Minister for Industry and Attorney-General in the Lyons government. As Attorney-General he played a significant part in the attempt to deny entry to Egon Kisch—the Communist journalist in exile from Germany—who arrived on Australian shores in November of that year. In that respect he and Rowland Sinclair found themselves opposed.

In the absence of any reliable evidence, Henry Sinclair’s murder remained unsolved, and amongst his sons, unmentioned.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

For six books now, Rowland Sinclair has been my constant companion. But we have not been unchaperoned. I’d like to acknowledge here those real people whose company along the way has been entirely proper and deeply valued, and whose contributions to this work, and the sanity of its writer, must not go unmentioned.

My husband Michael, collaborator, counsel and enabler, against whom so many ideas have been bounced that he’s beginning to dent.

My Dad, who read this manuscript whilst undergoing chemotherapy, who allows nothing to shake his belief in my work, and who never misses an opportunity to pass on my books (as several nurses and the odd doctor will attest).

My sister, Devini, who is my role model for sibling loyalty and support.

My sons, Edmund and Atticus, just because they’re awesome.

Leith and Jason Henry, who have always had my back, who are involved in my books as friends, as readers and as inspiration.

Sarah Kynaston and Lesley Bocquet with whom I’ve discussed the unfolding plot of
A Murder Unmentioned
over numerous cups of coffee, and for whom, I have therefore spoiled this book. Sorry. Cheryl Bousfield, whose enthusiasm for my books has been a constant from the very first.

Scorners of the ground, David Tennant, Steve Eather and Kristen Alexander, who made sure Rowland’s Gipsy Moth did not crash—unless it was supposed to. Fellow traveller, Nigel E. S. Irvine, who directed me to the appropriate gaol. Malcolm Stradwick who allowed me to give him the third degree when necessary.

My extraordinary friends in the writing community, who have made me welcome among them. The solitary nature of writing is
countered by the wonderful solidarity of writers. I remain buoyed by your compassion, your generosity and your idealism.

Deonie Fiford, my editor. This would be so much more terrifying a venture without the confidence instilled by the knowledge that Deonie won’t let me slip. My cover designer, Luke Causby, who has given all the Rowland Sinclair books a ‘face’ upon which the world can look. Desanka Vukelich, who proofreads my manuscripts into something worthy of print.

All those readers, reviewers and bloggers who have allowed me the privilege of their attention, and who have given Rowland Sinclair an existence that is independent of me. You are truly appreciated.

The people of Batlow and its surrounds, many of whom have lent their names to this novel. There is nothing as fortifying as hometown support.

The Greens, Ali, John, Jenny and Marty, and the talented team at Pantera Press. You have given me a writer’s life, and for the rest of that life, I will be grateful.

If you enjoyed

A Murder Unmentioned

then look out for the next book in the Rowland Sinclair Mystery Series (For Release 2015)

for more information, please visit:

www.PanteraPress.com

SULARI GENTILL

Award-winning author Sulari Gentill 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 a farm in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains of NSW, which she shares with her young family and several animals.

Sulari is the author of the award-winning Rowland Sinclair Mysteries, a series of historical crime novels set in the 1930s about Rowland Sinclair, the gentleman artist-cum-amateur-detective.

The first in the series,
A Few Right Thinking Men
, was shortlisted for the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize Best First Book.
A Decline in Prophets
, the second in the series, won the Davitt Award for Best Adult Crime Fiction.
Miles Off Course
was released in early 2012,
Paving the New Road
was released in late 2012 and was shortlisted for the Davitt Award for Best Crime Fiction 2013.
Gentlemen Formerly Dressed
was released in November 2013.
A Murder Unmentioned
is the sixth book in the series.

Under the name S.D. Gentill, Sulari also writes fantasy adventure, including The Hero Trilogy. All three books in the trilogy,
Chasing Odysseus
,
Trying War
and
The Blood of Wolves
, are out now, and available in paperback, in a trilogy pack, and as an eBook.

Novels in the award-winning Rowland Sinclair series

A Few Right Thinking Men

A Decline in Prophets

Miles off Course

Paving the New Road

Gentlemen Formerly Dressed

A Murder Unmentioned