the portal

Outside the sun was shining and Scotch was in a flurry of preparation for the next day’s Family Day activities. Inside, the Senior Library was abuzz with talk of ‘rendition’, ‘erroneous rendition’ investigative journalists, CIA operatives, terrorist attacks and government overthrows. Just another busy lunchtime you might say? Well yes, but with the added excitement of local author James Phelan at Scotch’s launch of his latest blockbuster, Blood Oil.
Around 60 students and staff gathered in the reading area as Year 12 student Rob Marsh eloquently introduced James to his eager audience. James then read a passage from Blood Oil, his third book to feature investigative journalist Lachlan Fox working for GSR, Global Syndicate of Reporters. In this instalment, Fox is assigned to cover a terrorist attack on an oil refinery, which then leads to him uncovering a plot to overthrow the Nigerian government! Just another day at the office for Lachlan Fox!!
Year 8 student Michael Holloway scored a copy of Patriot Act and Staff member Ms. Joanne Fisher was most excited to win a copy of Blood Oil by answering James’s trivia questions. A Q & A session followed, with people keen to find out when a movie version of Lachlan Fox’s adventures would be made, as well as how Phelan chose the names for all his characters.
Book sales and signings followed with most of the audience taking up the opportunity to purchase one of James’ novels from the bookstall and have the author personally dedicate it. All too soon the bell rang and the launch was officially over, with sales of Blood Oil sure to soar as a result of a most successful Scotch launch.

Ms Morris