THE BACKGAMMON SYNDROME
by
Roger Weston

Everyone, it seems, wants to write a novel. Very few ever succeed and those that do usually never see their work on commercial book shelves.

In our pursuit of interesting cafes Paula and I discovered a New Zealand writer who, at the time, owned the Flying Pig in Duntroon. We really enjoyed the muffins. I understand now he has sold the place and moved to Dunedin perhaps to write us another psychological thriller such as his first one: The Backgammon Syndrome.

Roger Weston is the writer who has used, as his setting, the town of Oamaru specifically the harbour and the historic district.  Now who could pass up  a story  written  around a small New Zealand town in our South Island.

Roger's background includes writing published poetry and short stories for  over thirty years and novels for the past six while owning several cafes, been a farmer, and teacher.

The novel reverberates around a man and a woman from different upbringings that become entangled with drug trafficking, security intelligence and murder but reflects itself with a romantic twist.

He is working on the sequel:  Snakes and Ladders that  carries the concept of Backgammon  to another level. 
he is also working on "The Last Summer Storm".

We all like a good read and when it is by a local  Kiwi  writer and when part of  the plot is on  New Zealand soil  it adds  an extra dimension to  our enjoyment.

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The following is on the back cover of The Backgammon Syndrome:

"An action thriller that immerses the reader from page one and carries them on  roller coaster story with more twists and turns than a mountain track. A good read."
Phil Marsh

"A fast-paced, compulsive read, with intrigue, suspense and double-dealing, set in memorable landscapes, both in New Zealand and internationally. Wait till you meet Jocasta!"
Bernard  Thornton

The Backgammon Syndrome is a contemporary psychological thriller. It is a story of two people - one from a repressive religious family, the other from a wealthy business background - who become caught in the manipulative intrigue of drug trafficking, security intelligence and murder.
cameron and Jocasta's journey begins when  they meet as teenagers, but their paths diverge, only to cross over again many years later. They find themselves battling against the legacy of their own past backgrounds, as well as the dangers of their present knife-edge existence. They often don't quite know who is on their side, or what exactly they are supposed to be doing. And who, in the last analysis, is pulling the strings. Things are seldom what they seem..........

Copies of The Backgammon Syndrome are available by contacting
Roger at: roger.weston@xtra.co.nz

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