I've heard some great news from the publicists at Random House New Zealand; bestselling international crime writer Lee Child will be touring New Zealand for several days in April, with public appearances in five New Zealand cities - giving crime and thriller fiction fans throughout the country a brilliant opportunity to meet him.
Lee Child is of course absolutely massive - worldwide one of his Jack Reacher novels is reputedly sold every second, and total sales have topped 16 million, and have been translated into 29 different languages. He was born in the United Kingdom, but moved to the United States after being made redundant from his television job. It was there that he began writing American thrillers, starring maverick hero Jack Reacher.
Child's newest novel, 61 HOURS, is released in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK on 18 or 19 March 2010 (so Kiwis keen to meet him will have a good chance to read it before his visit the following month). The publisher's blurb for 61 HOURS states:
"Winter in South Dakota. Blowing snow, icy roads, a tired driver. A bus skids and crashes and is stranded in a gathering storm. There's a small town twenty miles away, where a vulnerable witness is guarded around the clock. There's a strange stone building five miles further on, all alone on the prairie. There's a ruthless man who controls everything from the warmth of Mexico. Jack Reacher hitched a ride in the back of the bus. A life without baggage has many advantages. And crucial disadvantages too, when it means facing the arctic cold without a coat. But he's equipped for the rest of his task. He doesn't want to put the world to rights. He just doesn't like people who put it to wrongs."
Specific venues and times for the Lee Child author tour in New Zealand haven't been announced yet, but the following is a basic itinerary of which cities he will be visiting, and on which days:
Child's newest novel, 61 HOURS, is released in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK on 18 or 19 March 2010 (so Kiwis keen to meet him will have a good chance to read it before his visit the following month). The publisher's blurb for 61 HOURS states:"Winter in South Dakota. Blowing snow, icy roads, a tired driver. A bus skids and crashes and is stranded in a gathering storm. There's a small town twenty miles away, where a vulnerable witness is guarded around the clock. There's a strange stone building five miles further on, all alone on the prairie. There's a ruthless man who controls everything from the warmth of Mexico. Jack Reacher hitched a ride in the back of the bus. A life without baggage has many advantages. And crucial disadvantages too, when it means facing the arctic cold without a coat. But he's equipped for the rest of his task. He doesn't want to put the world to rights. He just doesn't like people who put it to wrongs."
Specific venues and times for the Lee Child author tour in New Zealand haven't been announced yet, but the following is a basic itinerary of which cities he will be visiting, and on which days:
- Auckland on 11-13 April;
- Wellington on 13-14 April;
- Nelson on 14 April;
- Christchurch on 15 April; and
- Dunedin on 16 April.
What do you think of Lee Child's books? Are you a Jack Reacher fan? If you're a Kiwi resident, will you be heading along to meet him in April? Thoughts and comments welcome.
Yay, an international star is actually coming to Dunedin! We usually get left off the list (because of our proximity to Antarctica, I imagine)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely I'll be there! When do we find out this is definitely happening and where, because there is no mention of it on his site?
ReplyDeleteI have four Lee Child books in my bookcase. Haven't had the chance to read any of them yet..... Now that he's coming to town though, it might be the driving force for me to get them read....
ReplyDeleteI am a HUGE Lee Child fan, I have read all of his books including his latest "61 Hours". You certainly won't be disappointed with it, classic Lee Child and left with something hanging at the end.
ReplyDeleteI'm from Australia so won't get to see him :(
Great blog by the way, found it through Beattie's blog, will be adding it to mine :)
Thanks Mandy. Lee Child is actually touring Australia prior to coming to New Zealand. I've put a comment on your blog with the dates etc.
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