#BookReview — Conflict on the Yangtze By Greg Kater #HistoricalFiction #Australia @gregkaterauthor

Conflict on the Yangtze

By Greg Kater

Beyond the end of the Second World War, after the Japanese surrender, the fighting never ceased in China …

This is the fourth historical novel in the Warramunga series by Greg Kater. The events take place during 1946 when former army officer, Jamie Munro, and educated half-aborigine, Jack “Jacko” O’Brien, who head the Commonwealth Investigation Service in Darwin, are asked by Colonel John Cook, a senior commanding officer of MI6, to go to China and assist in the investigation of a drug cartel who are believed responsible for killing one of his operatives along the Yangtze River.During the recent war, Jamie and Jacko had worked in intelligence operations with Colonel Cook during the desert campaign in North Africa, as the Afrika Corps threatened Egypt, and later in South East Asia in the aftermath of war.The pair arrive in Shanghai via Manila in the aftermath of the Japanese occupation with Harry Williams, chief of the US intelligence agency, Office of Strategic Services (OSS), in the Philippines. They had worked with Harry previously in the Philippines on a case involving child smuggling (The Warramunga’s Aftermath of War). They are met at Shanghai’s Bund Docks by Johnny and Lee Drake, a half-Chinese MI6 operative who had lived in Shanghai, posing as a tea merchant, throughout the war. Jamie and Jacko learn that the current state of affairs in China is very complicated. They not only have to contend with the drug cartel but also with gangs, warlords and corrupt personages of influence. They are told the opium produced by the drug cartel is shipped to the Philippines for treatment and from there to the USA and Australia. To reach the centre of the opium operations it is necessary to travel hundreds of miles in a motorised junk up the Yangtze River where hostile, trigger-happy gangs and groups inhabit the riverbanks.

“We’re trying to track down the people behind a major opium-smuggling operation in China…”

Opium is flooding into the USA and Australia. The only way to stop it is to find the source and put the drug cartel out of operation.

However, that is easier said than done.

MI6 agent, Commander Daniel Stafford, has been ruthlessly murdered amongst large bulbs of the poppy seed pods in a field in China. With so much money at stake, the cartel will do anything to continue its operations.

MI6 realise that they cannot thwart this operation alone. They approach the Australian Commonwealth Investigation Service (CIS). Jamie Munro and his esteemed colleague, Jack “Jacko” O’Brien from the CIS head to China to help with the investigation and to try to put an end to the cartel.

However, it soon becomes evident that the drug cartel has friends in very high places. Which begs the question, who do you trust when you can’t trust anyone?

From the poppy fields along the Yangtze River in China to the splendour of the Roper River in Australia, Conflict on the Yangtze, by Greg Kater is the truly gripping account of an opium cartel and those who are determined to stop it.

I was delighted when I discovered that there was a sequel to The Warramunga Trilogy. Having thoroughly enjoyed the first three books I could not wait to reacquaint myself with Jamie and Jacko. I was hoping for another fabulous adventure, and I am pleased to say that Kater did not disappoint. 

As with all the books in this series, Kater has an eye for what is entertaining which is then backed up by confident historical research. He has painted a dazzling portrait of not only the dangers along the Yangtze River but also the instability in China during this era. The corruption and the struggle for power are all touched upon within the pages of this remarkable book.

As before, I adored the characterisation of Jamie and Jacko. Both are worthy protagonists in this tale, and more importantly, they are especially likeable ones. They are two very different people, but they work so well together — although there was one terrible moment when I feared that the duo might have run out of luck! A special mention must also go to Jacko’s sister Sarah. Sarah is intelligent, witty and courageous. Her character really helped to drive this story forward.

There are several antagonists in this book, all of whom were fabulously portrayed. Through Kater’s compelling narrative we are offered a glimpse into both worlds — so we see first-hand what the antagonists’ plans are. Unlike the CIS, MI6, and their colleagues, the drug cartel is just as likely to turn on their own men as to plot to murder those who are trying to stop their vile deeds. I thought showing both sides of the story gives the reader a clear understanding of what Jamie and Jacko are up against. It also made this novel next to impossible to put down.

Although this is the fourth book in an incredibly gripping series, Conflict on the Yangtze works very well as a standalone. However, to get the most out of this series, I do suggest you start with book 1 — The Warramunga’s War. You won’t be disappointed.

I Highly Recommend.

Review by Mary Anne Yarde.

The Coffee Pot Book Club.

Pick up your copy of

Conflict on the Yangtze

Amazon UK • Amazon US

Greg Kater

Greg Kater is an Australian-based author. He lives in Sanctuary Cove, Gold Coast, Queensland and has recently retired from a 55-year international career in the resources industry. The Warramunga’s War is his first work of fiction. He has since written and published two more books, The Warramunga’s Aftermath of War and Skills of the Warramunga, altogether comprising a trilogy.

The principal fictional characters interact with actual historical figures and events which have been rigorously researched. The subject of the novel is partly inspired by the experiences of the author’s father during the war in the Middle East, and partly by his own experiences in northern Australia where he worked extensively throughout the Northern Territory and the Kimberley.

Connect with Greg: Website • Amazon Author Page • Facebook • Twitter • Goodreads.

#Book Review — The Warramunga's Aftermath of War, by Greg Kater #HistoricalFiction #Australia @gregkaterauthor

The Warramunga's Aftermath of War
 By Greg Kater

The Warramunga’s Aftermath of War encapsulates the investigation into the post-war activities of a major criminal organisation with tentacles to the USA, Australia and South East Asia. When a fishing boat is discovered in distress in rough seas northwest of Darwin in late 1945, former army officer, Jamie Munro, and educated half-caste Warramunga aborigine, Jack “Jacko” O’Brien, who head the CIS in Darwin, are called on to investigate child smuggling operations financed by a shadowy ring of wealthy paedophiles.

This book is the second book of a trilogy. This follows The Warramunga’s War detailing the meeting of Jamie and Jacko on the battlefield during the Second World War and their activities working together with MI6 in intelligence during the remainder of the war.

“As the sea spray lashed his face, Jamie reflected that his first Christmas in Darwin had become much more eventful than he had bargained for…”

They were in the middle of Christmas lunch when the distress call from a small boat off the north coast of Darwin was intercepted. Jamie Munro and Jack “Jacko” O’Brien from the Commonwealth Investigation Service (CIS) volunteered their services to help with the rescue. However, when they reached the boat, they saw a body of a young child floating in the water. One thing was for sure, this was no ordinary fishing boat, and these so-called fishermen were not whom they said they were. The discovery of a boy hiding under lifebelts and boat fenders in the bow of the boat only strengthen their suspicions.

Only one child survived the crossing, and it is from him that the two CIS officers had their fears confirmed. The boat had been smuggling children with the intention of selling them to wealthy paedophiles.

In their desperate bid to bring down the despicable men who were exploiting these children, Jamie and Jacko must travel to South East Asia, for that is where the children came from. However, they are faced with impossible odds, as those who have invested heavily in this smuggling operation will do absolutely anything to make sure it continues

Unbeknownst to Jamie and Jacko, the perpetrators of this disgusting crime are a great deal closer to home than either of them realised.

From the desperate plight of a young boy hiding on a boat to the vastness of the Australian outback, The Warramunga’s Aftermath of War by Greg Kater is the shocking yet gripping account of two CIS officers as they attempt to shut down a terrible paedophile ring. 

Initially, I was a little cautious about the topic of this book — I would usually avoid anything that has a plot about child exploitation. However, I was confident, after reading the first book in this series, that Kater would approach this subject with great sensitivity and care, which I am pleased to say he did. The story concentrates on Jamie and Jacko’s attempts to stop child smuggling rather than the suffering of the children themselves.

Kater wisely chose to add many lighter moments to this story, which worked very well and helped to give the book balance. However, saying that, at times the tension is almost unbearable, especially as Jamie and Jacko close in on their intended targets. It is undoubtedly a page-turning read and one I did not want to put down.

I must applaud Kater for his meticulous research. His depiction of the Philippines post-war was terrific. Kater has captured the essences of this era, and like a master bard, he has presented his readers with a believable backdrop in which to place his two wonderfully dynamic and incredibly appealing protagonists. When the story moves back to Australia, Kater once again demonstrates how good a writer he really is. To be in charge of such a large canvas, and to keep true to the historical facts of this era is no small thing. His portrait of the Blue Lagoon was a masterful triumph. But not only that, his portrayal of those who lived in this region was fabulous. Kater certainly knows how to bring his characters and the historical landscape to life.

I adored the characterisation of Jamie. He is such a brave and honourable man. A true hero. However, he is a bit of a contradiction — when faced with armed criminals he is calm, collected and confident, yet, when it comes to women, Jamie becomes a stuttering nervous wreck which makes him so very endearing. Jamie’s relationship with Carna is very sweet and tender and was one I enjoyed watching develop over the course of the story. Likewise, Jacko, and his wonderful half-sister, Sarah, continued to fascinate.

There is no doubt in my mind that The Warramunga’s Aftermath of War is a monumental work of scholarship. If you are looking for your next historical thriller, then this is the book for you.

I Highly Recommend.

Review by Mary Anne Yarde

The Coffee Pot Book Club.

Amazon UK • Amazon US

Greg Kater

Greg Kater is an Australian-based author. He lives in Sanctuary Cove, Gold Coast, Queensland and has recently retired from a 55-year international career in the resources industry. The Warramunga’s War is his first work of fiction. He has since written and published two more books, The Warramunga’s Aftermath of War and Skills of the Warramunga, altogether comprising a trilogy.

The principal fictional characters interact with actual historical figures and events which have been rigorously researched. The subject of the novel is partly inspired by the experiences of the author’s father during the war in the Middle East, and partly by his own experiences in northern Australia where he worked extensively throughout the Northern Territory and the Kimberley.

Connect with Greg: Website • Amazon Author Page • Facebook • Twitter • Goodreads.