TIM Ayliffe award-winning Australian author is visiting the Yarrila Library in Coffs Harbour on Monday, 2 February to give a talk on his latest crime thriller “Dark Desert Road”.
Set in the NSW Riverina, the novel delves into the rise of sovereign citizen movements and extremist ideologies in regional Australia.
While the story is fictional, Ayliffe says its foundations are firmly grounded in reality.
“My guiding philosophy when writing crime is that when it comes to the plot — everything has either happened, will happen, or could happen,” he said.
Ayliffe chose the Riverina as the novel’s setting after researching the growing presence of sovereign citizen and anti-government movements in regional Australia.
He said issues around mistrust, conspiracy and radicalisation are intensified in regional areas.
“There are issues around trust and conspiracy everywhere, but they are often more acute in regional areas — whether in Australia or the United States,” he said.
Ayliffe cited recent high-profile incidents linked to sovereign citizen ideology that have brought this issue into sharp focus.
The Wieambilla shootings in Queensland in 2022, where two police officers and a civilian were killed and the fatal shooting near the regional Victorian town of Porepunkah.
While Ayliffe is careful not to suggest such activity is occurring locally, he said extremist groups are firmly on the radar of both police and Australia’s intelligence agencies.
His research for “Dark Desert Road” included extensive time spent in regional communities, speaking with locals and absorbing the social dynamics of country towns.
This research also included speaking with police to learn more about the potential for criminal activities by fundamentalist groups who are angry and have gone off the grid.
“There’s a greater sense of isolation in rural areas, with people feeling forgotten and cut off from mainstream society,” said Tim.
When it comes to book tours, Ayliffe says his most enjoyable author talks are most often in regional Australia.
“I love visiting regional areas and meeting regional people,” he said.
“You get the best turnouts at talks and the best conversations.”
While many of Ayliffe’s earlier novels were set in major cities, he says he has a deep interest in regional Australia.
Coffs Harbour Libraries Service Leader Karen Rowe-Nurse said attracting authors of Ayliffe’s calibre reflects the growing reputation of Yarrila Place as a drawcard for literary events.
“Authors love the space, and they talk to each other at festivals,” said Karen.
“Recent high-profile speakers at Yarrila – Michael Robotham and Bryan Brown – both have connections to the area and were pleased to fit us into their schedules.”
She said the library service plans to expand its author program, with upcoming events focused on the theme of “home” and a new children’s literacy pilot involving a well-known author.
Local readers and book lovers are invited to Yarrila Place library where Ayliffe will be in conversation with local journalist Michael Burge.
The event offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from Ayliffe about the real-world influences behind his work.
Ayliffe spent 25 years as a journalist in Australia and overseas, and built a career exploring espionage, extremism, politics and global power struggles.
During this time, he had a front row seat into these issues and crime in general.
“Dark Desert Road” follows police officer Kit McCarthy as she searches remote desert towns for her missing twin sister.
In her search Kit uncovers a volatile world of armed separatists, rising tensions and an escalating conflict with a violent bikie gang.
Attendees will have the opportunity to meet Tim and have their book signed on the night.
Bookings for the talk can be made via the Coffs Harbour Libraries events page.
By Leigh WATSON
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