Episode 1 – Deceit
The last thing Gordon needs this week is an abuse of political power.
One man’s fight against political corruption.
Will he win or will politics and power threaten democracy?
After 40 years’ service, the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Gordon O’Brien, hopes to enjoy his final week before silently disappearing to go fly-fishing.
A tragic plane crash changes everything.
Gordon is forced to defend the integrity of the parliament against a corrupt prime minister hell bent on getting his way.
Prime Minister Gerrard is forcing through parliament legislation for offshore immigration centres. The legislation includes a generous secret commission negotiated with the Indonesian president. He needs the money to fund his wife’s dream of retiring to Paris.
Gordon detects a fraud after discovering mysterious changes to the funding legislation. He must convince others of the fraud so they can stop the prime minister. He convinces an investigative journalist to research the legislation and covertly uses the opposition party to stymie its progress.
An enraged Gerrard insists on enacting the legislation within the week. He turns the tables against Gordon leveraging the Speaker to ignore any parliamentary challenges from the Clerk or the opposition party.
Will a reluctant Gordon expose himself to end the deceit by pushing parliament to act against Gerrard and the Speaker? Or will the prime minister escape to a new life in Paris?
DECEIT is a gripping political thriller featuring compelling characters, a page-turning story, and an ‘everyman’ hero facing adversity.
If you like fast paced, crime thrillers with a touch of political mystery then Richard Evans’ book will not disappoint you.
Grab this story from the former MP to learn how parliament can be manipulated and how decent people doing everyday jobs protect our democracy. Is this story of political corruption fact or fiction?
Buy DECEIT today to learn what really happens in parliament.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
DECEIT was long-listed by the Queensland Writers Centre and Screen Queensland for the 2019 Adaptable program for film or television adaptation.
Episode 2 – Duplicity
Political journalist Anita Devlin uncovers a secret plot to overthrow the Gerrard government and becomes the whistleblower. By doing so threatens her future.
Jonathan Wolff, a ruthless political operative, gets results for those who wish to influence government and pay his excessive fee. He will stop at nothing to win, even taking extreme steps where no one is safe from the line of fire.
The Mercantiles, a long-established, clandestine group of high-taxpaying business owners have grown frustrated by Prime Minister Andrew Gerrard’s failure to meet promises, and decide the nation needs a change of government at the upcoming election. They call upon Wolff to organise the defeat of the prime minister.
Anita uncovers the nefarious Wolff strategically manipulating the campaign, and endeavours to expose his influence and manipulation.
Realising he cannot win the election his way, Wolff initiates an explosive campaign designed to remove the prime minister by defeating him in his own electorate. He recruits and then exploits an independent candidate by tapping into the communities’ latent anxiety over immigration policy. The community is subjected to violent demonstrations, triggering increased racist attacks on the streets. Ironically, the candidate Wolff supports — and manipulates to drive the campaign against the prime minister — is Indian immigrant and university professor, Jaya Rukhmani.
With Anita Devlin hot on his trail and unwavering to expose the corruption, Wolff confronts her warning of dire consequences if she progresses with her investigation to expose him.
As election day draws near it becomes obvious the result will be on a knife’s edge and Wolff forces more anarchy on the streets. The Mercantiles get nervous and withdraw their support, but Wolff threatens them to deliver his money and continues his campaign.
Anita remains determined to be the whistle-blower, but does she have the courage it takes to expose Wolff and the Mercantiles? Or will political power overcome the truth in this gripping thriller.
DUPLICITY takes you behind the scenes of an election campaign exposing the manipulation of perceptions so essential to obtaining political power. It’s not corruption, it’s just the way things get done.
Grab this second episode of the Democracy Trilogy by former federal MP, Richard Evans, and speculate who really runs the country. It’s a gripping, page turning thriller with compelling characters that will hold you until the very last page.
Buy DUPLICITY today and follow our politicians in their ruthless push to win power.
Episode 3 – Doomed
She will do whatever it takes; her ambition will be deadly.
Cassandra Rogers wants a promised promotion, and she will do whatever it takes to get it, even bringing down a prime minister. No one can stop her as she battles to reach her goal.
The Democracy trilogy concludes with a choice between the environment and the economy. Which one will flourish, and which one is doomed?
Three years after the change of government, the nation is facing huge social, policy, and environmental disasters yet the Australian government seems paralysed on how to proceed. Two senior ministers resolve that a change of prime minister is essential for Australia’s future and begin to lay the foundations for his dismissal.
The race to change government intensifies with an old face causing chaos by threatening Meredith Bruce, the charismatic leader of the opposition. Cassandra, a prominent journalist, publishes articles and delivers nightly television news that shocks the government and drives change. She wants political scalps to ensure her ambition is achieved and will wreck careers to do so, even her boss.
DOOMED takes us behind the scenes of a parliament unaware of how ambitions and political manipulations affect voters. When the environment and economy are brought into the mix, which will be the one to flourish, and which one is doomed?
Buy DOOMED today and follow our politicians in their ruthless rush to power.
SUPPORTING MND
In 2021, the author donated the naming right for DOOMED’s Union Representative character at a Victorian Motor Neurone Disease (MND) fundraising event and auction.
Reviews
This novel has such a fascinating concept at its heart, and you brought the characters to life brilliantly. – Cass dB. Sydney
Richard Evans’ first book, Deceit, is a five-star thriller that brings the Australian political process to life. – GOODREADS
I absolutely loved it, couldn’t put it down. I would love to see your book become a movie. – IAN S., MELBOURNE
Richard Evans’ first book in the Democracy trilogy was compelling. – GOODREADS.
Rich in ideas and provokes much thought about our parliamentary process, abuses of power, corruption, and the need, at times, for ordinary people to step up and take a stand in the name of honour and professional integrity. – NADINE D., EDITOR
This is an outstanding debut from Evans, and this terrific read comes highly recommended.’ – GOODREADS
From former Federal MP Richard Evans comes this exceptional political thriller debut, which serves as the first part of his Democracy trilogy. – CANBERRA WEEKLY
I adored Gordon O’Brien. Straight as an arrow amongst those who are only in things for themselves, I couldn’t help but cheer him on as he was like a dog with a bone, searching out the truth’ BJ’S BOOK BLOG
Just finished reading Deceit and it was gripping; I could not put it down. It was brilliant. I just loved the book and can’t wait to read Duplicity.’
FORMER CLERK OF VICTORIAN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and did not want to put the book down, but neither did I want the story to end! Congratulations! – TRINITY MARKETING
Evans’ writing style allows the reader to glide through the book’s chapters whilst being familiarised with the plot and major protagonists. Go on, have a read. – Amazon review.
‘From former Federal MP Richard Evans comes this exceptional political thriller …’ – CANBERRA WEEKLY
The Democracy trilogy concludes with a choice between the environment and the economy. Which one will flourish, and which one is DOOMED ? Three years after the change of government, the nation is facing huge social, policy, and environmental disasters yet the Australian government seems paralyzed on how to proceed. Two senior ministers resolve that a change of prime minister is essential for Australia’s future and begin to lay the foundations for his dismissal. The race to change government intensifies with an old face causing chaos by threatening Meredith Bruce, the charismatic leader of the opposition. Cassandra, a prominent journalist, publishes articles and delivers nightly television news that shocks the government and drives change. She wants political scalps to ensure her ambition is achieved and will wreck careers to do so, even her boss. DOOMED takes us behind the scenes of a parliament unaware of how ambitions and political manipulations affect voters. When the environment and economy are brought into the mix, which will be the one to flourish, and which one is doomed? – Goodreads
Great finish. Couldn’t wait to read this, the finish of the Trilogy. Not disappointed a great read , my favourite characters back and also thought provoking. You must read to the very last page. – Booktopia
I have just finished reading Doomed and wanted to say how much I loved it. It was a terrific read and to parliamentary nerds like me I couldn’t get enough of the procedural bits in the Chamber. Congratulations on the Democracy Trilogy. I just loved every minute of it. I certainly look forward to reading more Richard Evans! – Reader
