Café Puccini
A madcap town and one crazy comet
Published on 4. December 2024
464 pages
978-1-923144-80-4 (ISBN)
Description
'You'll fall in love with every single character' - Hayley Mills
What happens when a quirky Australian town faces the imminent arrival of a huge fiery comet? Do the residents embrace all possibilities or run like hell?
WARNING, WARNING, WARNING
Cactus Bob, a grizzled pensioner in a red beanie, thought surviving a death-roll by a monster saltwater crocodile was tough. But now he faces an even more devastating challenge: strange messages are arriving via his clapped-out black-and-white TV, warning of a fiery comet hurtling toward his tiny cottage on the outskirts of Wellsprings.
Café Puccini, the social hub of the colourful community, is abuzz. Is the comet real or just another zany publicity stunt dreamt up by Ah Sow, the town's crafty trader? Will Angelo, the café owner, reunite with the wife he had somehow 'misplaced' thirteen years earlier? How did a lucky Zulu millionaire and his mysteriously 'top-secret' Norwegian wife become tied to all the comet chaos, and why is a crusty old Scottish boat-builder crafting a unique monument to the stars?
As the comet draws closer, secrets unravel, alliances form, and tensions rise. Join Wellsprings' oddball residents as they navigate love, cosmic calamities, and outrageous adventures.
Prepare for a wild ride filled with colourful characters, unexpected twists, and a mystery that will keep you guessing in this outlandish tale of resilience, eccentricity, and the sheer magic of the bush.
What happens when a quirky Australian town faces the imminent arrival of a huge fiery comet? Do the residents embrace all possibilities or run like hell?
WARNING, WARNING, WARNING
Cactus Bob, a grizzled pensioner in a red beanie, thought surviving a death-roll by a monster saltwater crocodile was tough. But now he faces an even more devastating challenge: strange messages are arriving via his clapped-out black-and-white TV, warning of a fiery comet hurtling toward his tiny cottage on the outskirts of Wellsprings.
Café Puccini, the social hub of the colourful community, is abuzz. Is the comet real or just another zany publicity stunt dreamt up by Ah Sow, the town's crafty trader? Will Angelo, the café owner, reunite with the wife he had somehow 'misplaced' thirteen years earlier? How did a lucky Zulu millionaire and his mysteriously 'top-secret' Norwegian wife become tied to all the comet chaos, and why is a crusty old Scottish boat-builder crafting a unique monument to the stars?
As the comet draws closer, secrets unravel, alliances form, and tensions rise. Join Wellsprings' oddball residents as they navigate love, cosmic calamities, and outrageous adventures.
Prepare for a wild ride filled with colourful characters, unexpected twists, and a mystery that will keep you guessing in this outlandish tale of resilience, eccentricity, and the sheer magic of the bush.
More details
Person
Tony Matthews is a Welsh?Australian historian and author who has devoted his career to uncovering the hidden stories of Australia's past. Since migrating in 1972, he has written nearly 40 books?including best-selling regional histories and gripping true crime anthologies?and produced more than a dozen documentaries for the ABC and Seven Network, as well as hundreds of radio programs.
Born in Swansea, Wales, and educated at Clevedon College, Tony travelled widely before settling in Australia to pursue his lifelong passion for history. His first book was published in 1986, with many titles since achieving strong sales?most notably Crosses: Australian Soldiers in the Great War, which remained on Queensland bestseller lists for 13 consecutive weeks.
Renowned for his meticulous research and accessible storytelling, Tony brings history to life through compelling narratives and unforgettable characters. His colonial true crime books have been serialised on radio and praised for their vivid, dramatic flair.
Born in Swansea, Wales, and educated at Clevedon College, Tony travelled widely before settling in Australia to pursue his lifelong passion for history. His first book was published in 1986, with many titles since achieving strong sales?most notably Crosses: Australian Soldiers in the Great War, which remained on Queensland bestseller lists for 13 consecutive weeks.
Renowned for his meticulous research and accessible storytelling, Tony brings history to life through compelling narratives and unforgettable characters. His colonial true crime books have been serialised on radio and praised for their vivid, dramatic flair.
