By Jed Lanyon
Healesville author Ray Smithies will be signing copies of his new award-winning crime thriller novel Rama’s Bridge at Verso Books on Saturday 10 August at 2pm.
Rama’s Bridge is Mr Smithies second published book and it recently won him the Jim Hamilton ‘Highly Commended’ Award by the Fellowship of Australian Writers.
Mr Smithies said that he had never anticipated winning the award when he started writing.
“It’s like a reward for all the hard work. A lot for research went into this particular book,” he said.
Rama’s Bridge follows Michael Fontana, the heir-apparent to the Sicilian mob who learns of an age-old secret of Rama’s Bridge and an ancient relic in Sri Lanka.
“It encompasses not only the excitement of a treasure hunt, but the strategy employed to keep one step ahead of the enemy.
“After my first book I thought, what am I going to write about this time? And I thought I’ve got to stick with crime, fiction and suspense.
“It’s for people who like a bit of excitement in a book.
“I saw writing as a challenge… I think it takes courage. For quite a few years I didn’t have the courage or belief within myself and even when my previous book was accepted by a publisher, I think I nearly fell out of my chair.
“I think this book is written much better… Like a lot of things in life, you improve as you go along.”
Mr Smithies is a qualified sports therapist and has a strong interest in sports medicine.
For more information about Rama’s Bridge, visit: https://bit.ly/32YrJqy
