Debut novel for Rhys Gard

July 2023 marks the date former Narrabri resident Rhys Gard is launching his debut novel, a long-awaited crime story titled Four Dogs Missing.

The son of Michael and Christine Gard and brother to Brooke Hayne, Rhys has loved writing since his primary school days, but discovered that he wanted to be a professional writer and full-time novelist as he was approaching the end of high school.

Working in cafés and restaurants before enrolling in an arts degree at the University of New South Wales, graduating with a double major in English and Film Studies, Rhys quenched his creative thirst writing theatre, film and food reviews for various blogs and mastheads.

During this time Rhys curated content for brands like Qantas, Dan Murphy’s and Australian First Families of Wine.

We interviewed Rhys to find out how his career as an established author began.

“I’ve been writing novels since my university days.

“Most of them have only been read by me and that’s the way it will stay!” says Rhys.

“About a decade ago I tried to get some work published but realised that I still wasn’t quite good enough.

“After struggling with another manuscript, I turned my hand to crime fiction.

“At the time it was the beginning of the first lockdown.

“I had been working as a chef, so I suddenly had some rare time to write.

“Then once I started, I realised that I had to finish.

“Four Dogs Missing is a crime thriller, which is one of my favourite genres to read.

“I once saw a sign with those words sprayed on it, and my imagination began whirring.

“In the novel, the main character has named his winery Four Dogs Missing.

“Crime is my favourite genre because not only are crime novels intricately plotted, but they also have complex characters and become a great vehicle to discuss moral issues and concerns.”

With Rhys currently residing in Mudgee, an interview evening is planned on July 12 with Narrabri Shire Council manager of tourism and cultural services Scott Pollock, where Rhys will be launching his book back on home turf.

“I’m very excited to be speaking at the book launch.

“I know that Scott is a champion for the arts in Narrabri and I am looking forward to discussing the novel with him, and of course to see familiar faces and meet some new ones.

“I really wanted to write the kind of novel that I like to read.

“I often peruse bookshops and can’t quite decide what to buy, but I know if there’s a certain book that appeals, I’ll pick it up and begin reading straight away.

“So, I set out to write the book that I would gravitate to immediately.

“While it won’t be this way for every reader, I hope that some find the premise intriguing.

“It’s also wise to ‘write what you know’, and now that I live in wine country, Mudgee, and love a glass of vino, it made sense to make the protagonist a winemaker.

“The book is your typical crime thriller in many respects, in terms of style, pace and length.

“However, I wanted it to differ from the predictable with my characters and setting.

“There has been a wonderful resurgence of ‘bush noir’ recently — that is, books set in the Aussie outback, with a particular kind of gruff detective.

“While these stories are often well done, they are also a dime a dozen,” he said.

“I wanted to set the novel in wine country, and to cast the detective as a winemaker.

“I don’t know another crime novel like it.”

When asked what he has learned from his foray into a published author, Rhys said: “I learned that writing a book is hard!

“Not only does it take a long time in the first instance, but you also have to do multiple drafts – and I’m talking more than 20.”

And when prompted as to what has surprised him on the journey during the past three years, Rhys added: “I’m surprised at how supportive everyone is.

“From my publishing team to booksellers, from readers to libraries, from journalists to bloggers; so many people have supported the book and are helping to put it into the hands of readers.”