The Deniliquin‑raised author says the project has been a long time in the making, taking six months to write before landing a two‑book contract.
“I began writing it in May 2024, and it took six months to write,” said Mr Summers, who is balancing writing with his ‘day job’ of running a busy job site with 50 homes under construction in western Melbourne.
However, he says writing wasn’t the time consuming part.
“The process of actually signing the deal took much longer.
“I was picked up by A4 Literary and got an agent, Tom Gilliatt, who sold the manuscript around.
“There was a small bidding war over it, and Pan Macmillan ultimately signed me to a two‑book deal for this series.”
Mr Summers describes his relationship with Pan Macmillan as a career highlight.
“It’s been amazing,” he said.
“My editor and proofreading team are the same team who brought all of Jane Harper’s books to life, and it’s honestly a real ‘pinch me’ moment to be associated with such esteemed authors and be a part of Australia’s biggest book publisher.”
Red Lake introduces Sergeant Harper Quinn, who returns to her home town of Koorinda - a fictional town loosely based on Deniliquin.
The reopening of a long‑abandoned water park dredges up the disappearance of her brother 30 years earlier.
When a body is found at the site, Sgt Quinn is pulled back into a family tragedy she’s determined to finally unravel.
He said the new series differs from his Nick Vada novels, but still carries familiar threads.
“Harper’s story is one of immense pain and guilt from the loss of her brother in the past,” he said.
“Compared to Nick, she is a much more stable and capable operator, but ultimately they both still manage to get the job done.
“Just have different ways of going about it!”
As always, Deniliquin remains at the heart of Mr Summers’ storytelling.
“Koorinda, like Milford in my Nick Vada novels, is roughly based on Deni,” he said.
“Instead of a river, I wrote the town having a lake on the outskirts.
“Water is a part of all of my stories and my characters, drawn from my own childhood on the river and in Deniliquin.
“Complex family relationships that come out of the close proximity with your friends and neighbours in a small town really help in crime stories.
“Everyone knows everyone, but do you trust them all?”
If you’re interested in picking up a copy of Red Lake, the book is available at Deniliquin Nextra Newsagency.
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