My new book First Born Son begins in 1968 as Dr Philippe Duval, husband to Julia, father to Pippa, returns to America after an absence of a decade. 1968 was a year of social and political upheaval in America but that is not the background for my story.

The pivotal setting for this book is Duval’s birthplace, Long Island, NY, 

I visited Long Island in 2003 and had previously chosen Sag Harbor as the birthplace for my character who was born illegitimately and raised by a single impoverished mother.

Why Long Island? My husband and I spent a few days there in September 2003. It was an interesting place but there is an obvious divide between the haves and the have nots. Lots of workers providing services to the big houses. Between them and their employers, the divide was obvious. 

A number of the places we visited get a mention like Shinnecock Hills Golf Club (four recent US Opens have been held there) and Montauk where the famous lighthouse stands.

I hope I have evoked the feel of Long Island in my writing. I’d really love to visit again one day.

And then there are the cars. I have a passing interest in classic cars – I bought a great encyclopaedia of classic cars at a recent charity book sale. Wonderful book. Cost me $6.

But it was Google that provided the details of the red 1968 Chevy Camaro I thought my rich young American character Walter William Cox IV was likely to drive. I thought it had to be a muscle car. Philippe, however, always opts for a Mercedes-Benz. His sensibilities and tastes are more European than American, except that he drinks bourbon. Or wine. Never beer. 

And a subscription to what I regard as the world’s best newspaper The New York Times provided research through its digitised archive of newspapers, including the 1960s. A contemporary newspaper of this quality holds a mirror up to the society of the day. But it told me so much more too. Small snippets find their way into this book.

And in Sydney? The harbour of course is a focal point. I’ll write more about the Sydney settings in a future post.

And how would I describe the story of First Born Son?

It’s a story of one man’s personal journey from poverty to success. And the fork in the road that changes the course of his life in ways he could never have imagined. With consequences he could never have foreseen. 

Read the free chapter here to get you started.

But be warned. There is more than one book. Book 2 in this series Price to Pay will be published next year.

I wanted to give you an insight into how my fictional characters live out their lives against a background that is real. Real places. Real events. I want readers to be able to immerse themselves in the lives of my characters as if they were real people.

I think that’s what most novelists seek – to have their readers immerse themselves in the story.

So, whatever you are currently reading — fiction or non fiction — remember the writer has put their heart and soul into the book. They have written it for a variety of reasons – but most of all, for the love of writing. 

Until next time. Feel free to comment. What is it about a book that attracts you?