Gary Taaffe – författare

Billy’s gotta find some girls. The problem is he’s an Aborigine from the Australian bush and all he’s got to wear is a loincloth. Not a good look in the city. And what’s worse, he’s never even seen a girl before. Could life get anymore difficult? Why yes it could. Billy could fall in love …

But first he has to survive two devious older brothers and a couple of initiations to prove his manhood. Great.

“AWESOME!!!” Andrew, UK

“I was cracking up laughing. It’s really good.” Kris, Australia

“So fun guys I highly recommend it.” Nancy, USA

URBAN HUNTERS is laugh–out–loud, gut–churning, heart–wrenching storytelling at its best. Unlike anything you’ve ever read, in typical Taaffe fashion. Hilarious as usual. Always surprising. Wonderful!

The clan face a dilemma — Billy doesn’t want to go on his Walkabout yet and besides, he hasn’t even been initiated into a man. Can hardly blame him, they want to use the slice of a knife where no boy wants a knife to go. The spirit of his mother forces the issue with a violent attack by a giant Red kangaroo. She’s good like that — helpful. The old Magic Man wants to seal Billy’s horrific injuries under the coals of a fire, exactly as he would initiate an Aboriginal Warrior. He’s helpful too. Billy must decide whether to endure the pain of initiation or remain a boy.

“Though Tribal Scarring was more serious, it was really great. One of the best YA books I have read! Kudos! I recommend everyone to read it.” JB Cacdac

“Great coming of age story. Isn’t Pindaari a loveable character.” Anne, Australia

“I can’t wait to see what Billy’s next adventure is!” Jessica B, USA

Billy arrives in the city to mixed reactions: he has to fight off a mongrel old man, he makes a gruesome discovery in a barrel at the tip and wolf–whistles leave leave him confused over the appeal of his bare bum.

That’s all easy, until he meets Amber down a rat–infested alley.

“It was such a fun and entertaining adventure story. Great gross–out scenes that I loved from the first book. I loved the Aussie lingo. The humor had me laughing out loud in places.” Jessica B, USA

“This writer has done something rare — he’s come up with something so original that I can’t even compare it to other books. It stands alone. And his humour is really sensational.” Jack, Australia

“Can’t wait for the next in the series as I couldn’t put it down. They really are good value.” Ann, UK

Billy’s found a girl but what to do with her? A dinner date! Great idea, nothing like a freshly roasted rat over the coals on a starry night. Very romantic. Norm the council worker doesn’t think so though, he wants them out of his park! Until he sees what’s for breakfast. Yummo! And those loveable puppies: Larry, Curly and Moe, make a meal of a dying man, much to Amber’s relief. Life in the city, much more exciting than the bush.

“This book was just as laugh out loud funny as the first three books in the series. Billy slowly learning about girls and falling in love for the first time in his innocent way was just plain adorable. I can’t get enough of these characters and their adventures. It was AWESOME.” Jessica B, USA

“There are some hilarious scenes and some really entertaining dialogue that move this story along at a great pace. The character of Billy is so endearing he stays with you long after the story is over. Looking forward to the next book in the series.” Jack, Australia

Turns out that shoving a fishing spear into a mongrel old man’s leg has its consequences. His son wants revenge, forcing Amber to come to Billy’s rescue. A brutal battle ensues leaving Amber with blood on her hands now too. Billy tidies up the mess with a lesson in respect that will leave you gobsmacked.

“Mad writing skills you’ve got.” Jessica B, USA

“So many good characters in this book. You just have to wonder what Billy will get up to next.” Ann, UK

“Another brilliant adventure from Billy. The fight is fantastic. Loved it. Making his first phone call — hilarious! Great storytelling.” Jack, Australia

Billy and Amber go up against the dreaded dog catcher with a hot pursuit leading them into a creepy, rundown old orphanage where they find themselves under attack by a savage pack. Lives will be lost in this heart pounding edge of your seat episode.

“Way beyond wonderful. A spine–tingling experience of anticipation. Fear and terror a plenty. I think it is the best so far.” Anne, Australia

“Plenty of laughs, as usual, love it. Great dialogue. The Bullie’s antics are hilarious.” Jack, Australia

“Great ending.” Hermione, Australia

Entombed and doomed to digestion down the bowels of hell itself, Billy and Amber must escape or die.

The orphans, abandoned again, must set aside their differences and put into practice what Billy has taught them. Or starve.

And is the honeymoon over already? Can the Bullies save their relationship with Mel?

“WOW! Hauntingly hypnotic. Good enough to set to music. A wickedly graphic conclusion. Loved it.” Anne, Australia

“It’s really clever. Very exciting. I love the way you’ve ended it.” Jack, Australia

“One minute his chilling descriptions are giving me the shivers and the next, I’m laughing out loud!” Ethan, USA

Final Straw takes a step back in time to reveal what led to Amber seeking shelter in a cardboard box down a rat–infested alley wearing nothing more than a bloodied pair of pink pyjamas.

Her idyllic life is turned on its head in a horrible twist of fate. She comes face to face with a cruel murderer in the bush forcing her to decide — kill him now or later? And should she fight for a life of her own or remain a victim at the hands of her mother.

“I would read ANYTHING this man wrote.” NEW YORK BOOK REVIEW, W.D LaRue

“Masterpiece. A must read.” Ann Cook, UK

“Real and frightening. Great build-up.” Marie, UK

“Gripping!” Ethan, USA

“Surprising climax. Great ending!” Anne, Australia

Every orphan needs a dad, so why not use Billy’s? He’s in the bush somewhere, so Billy leads his new friends into the never–never to find him: nine young shoeless orphans, ten if you include Amber, plus four dogs and a baby kangaroo.

What could possibly go wrong? How about a kidnapping? A spear–pointed stand–off with the police? Or what about a run–in with a dangerous gang?

You might need oxygen for this one because it’s going to leave you breathless.

“Oh–my–word, Gary. This is ABSOLUTELY brilliant.” Dorothy, Africa

“This is a HILARIOUS scene!!! Never in my reading years.” Heather, Australia

“Mayhem and well deserved revenge. Loved it.” Anne, Australia