Snake Island

Vernon and his son, Caleb, live a quiet life running a motel in a small town on Australia's southeast coast. Their peace is disrupted when Vernon's brother, a recently released ex-convict, arrives seeking shelter and bringing trouble to their door. As threats mount against Vernon's family, he must confront both external dangers and his own painful past. The story moves between rural townships and urban fringes as Vernon tries to protect what matters most to him. The plot follows multiple characters whose paths intersect through violence, loyalty, and revenge. At its core lies the question of how far a person will go to defend their family. This Australian crime thriller explores themes of masculine identity, intergenerational trauma, and the complex bonds between fathers and sons. Through its rural noir setting, the novel examines how violence can echo through families and communities.

Readers describe Snake Island as a tense rural noir focused on family violence and revenge. Many compare it to works by Cormac McCarthy due to its stark prose and moral themes. Positive comments focus on: - Fast-paced, gripping plot that builds momentum - Raw, authentic depiction of rural Australian life - Complex father-son relationships - Clean, direct writing style Common criticisms: - Excessive violence puts off some readers - Character motivations feel unclear at times - Middle section drags for some - Some found the ending unsatisfying Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (200+ ratings) Amazon AU: 4.2/5 (50+ ratings) Sample reader comments: "Brutally honest look at cycles of violence" - Goodreads "The tension never lets up" - Amazon reviewer "Too much gratuitous violence for my taste" - Goodreads "Characters needed more development" - Amazon reviewer

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🦘 Ben Hobson, an Australian author and high school teacher, wrote Snake Island while working full-time in education, often crafting the story during his lunch breaks. 🏝️ Snake Island is not set on an actual island, but rather takes its name from a metaphorical "island" created by violence and revenge that isolates its characters. 🦈 The novel draws inspiration from classic Western revenge tales while being set in contemporary coastal Australia, creating a unique blend of genres. 👮 The author conducted extensive research into rural Australian police procedures and prison systems to create authentic details for the story's law enforcement storylines. 📚 The book explores themes of masculinity and violence that Hobson developed from his experiences teaching teenage boys in Queensland schools.