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The Terror of Living by Urban Waite – Book review

Posted on January 11, 2011
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Urban Waite is a relatively unknown 30 year old author from Seattle but one thing is certain – he won’t remain a secret for very much longer – “The Terror of Living” is an astonishingly taut thriller for a debut novelist and one of my tips for 2011. Check out my interview with Urban Waite here (no spoilers)

As I settled down to read the thriller, one factor became fairly evident to me, certainly within the initial twenty pages or so – the narrative is intense and powerful. Waite has an assured style of writing, a wordsmith of the highest order – I’d go so far to say that his prose is beautifully evoking, hypnotic and mesmerizing.

Already dubbed the literary thriller of 2011, “The Terror of Living” is without doubt about to set the literary world alight!

As I was nearing the end of the book I stopped to gather my thoughts and wondered when I’d last read a book where I liked each and every one of the characters – I don’t think that has ever happened to me before.

There are three distinct themes running throughout the book namely the good, the bad and the bad bordering on good! – A guy who, for all intents and purposes, wants to do the right thing but is caught up in the fight for everyday survival and finds himself on the wrong side of the law.

Noticing an abandoned car in a remote area north of Silver Lake, Deputy Bobby Drake makes a decision that will change countless lives over the course of a few days. He runs the plate but it comes back clean – yet his experience tells him something is going down.

Available to buy from Amazon (UK) & Amazon (US).…

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Schapelle Corby appeals for Clemency

Posted on July 30, 2010
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Schapelle Corby has appealed for clemency from the Indonesian President. This has led to a huge surge in interest online with people looking for the latest news on Australian Schapelle Corby who was arrested and convicted of drug smuggling in Bali. Facing 20 years in Kerobokan Prison for a crime she has refused to admit to, Corby is having a tough time of it in Indonesia.

16 months ago I wrote a short blog asking the question “Has Schapelle Corby been forgotten“. For the most part I think she has but maybe these fresh appeals will bring a positive outcome and keep her plight in the limelight.

On the 8th of October 2004, Schapelle Corby was apprehended by Indonesian customs officers on her arrival in Bali from Australia. Amongst her possessions was an unlocked boogie board and upon searching the officers claimed to find 9.3 lbs (or 4.2 kg) of cannabis. Corby to this day has claimed the drugs were not hers and she had no knowledge of the narcotics.

Her defence centred on the theory that she had become an unwitting drug courier for what was supposed to have been an interstate shipment of drugs between Brisbane and Sydney in Australia.

No More Tomorrows Book, the true story.

At the defence’s last address to the court, on 29 April 2005, Corby said to the three judges:

“I cannot admit to a crime I did not commit. And to the judges, my life at the moment is in your hands, but I would prefer if my life was in your hearts….And your Honour, I ask of you to show compassion, to find me innocent, to send me home. Saya tidak bersalah (I am not guilty)”

She was convicted and sentenced on May 27th 2005 and …

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Fresh campaigns for Schapelle Corby Clemency

Posted on July 7, 2010
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SOUTH-WEST Aboriginal identity Len Clarke has written to Prime Minister Julia Gillard urging her to make a fresh approach to Indonesia to send convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby home from the Balinese prison where she has been languishing for six years. Original Article by Ken Collins

He is also prepared to write to the Indonesian Government pleading for clemency.

Mr Clarke, who heads the Framlingham – based Kikkabush Aboriginal Community, wrote to former Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono after the Australian woman’s arrest in October 2004, believing she has been treated unfairly.

“I would have been one of the first Australian citizens to write to Indonesia on the Corby case,” Mr Clarke told The Standard yesterday.

“My letter then was referred to the Australian embassy and I was told she would be dealt with by Indonesian law.

“Now I believe it is time again for the community to join a campaign to press for her release from the Bali prison.

“Reports show she is not well and I have a gut feeling she could die within six months if nothing is done for her.

“I feel she has been hard done-by.

“Give her a fair go and bring her back home to Australia.”

Mr Clarke said many people in the Aboriginal community were concerned about Ms Corby and how she had been treated.

In his letter to Ms Gillard he said “we wish you to note our ongoing support for Ms Corby”.

When The Standard contacted the prime minster’s office yesterday it was told the matter was being handled by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

A spokesman for the department said the government would support any application for clemency, but “the decision on whether to grant clemency or not is for the President of Indonesia”.

“For the Government …

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