It's 1933, and the political landscape of Europe is darkening.
Eric Campbell, the man who would be Australia's Führer, is on a fascist tour of the Continent, meeting dictators over cocktails and seeking allegiances in a common cause. Yet the Australian way of life is not undefended. Old enemies have united to undermine Campbell's ambitions. The clandestine armies of the Establishment have once again mobilised to thwart any friendship with the Third Reich.
But when their man in Munich is killed, desperate measures are necessary.
Now Rowland Sinclair must travel to Germany to defend Australian democracy from the relentless march of Fascism. Amidst the goosestepping euphoria of a rising Nazi movement, Rowland encounters those who will change the course of history. In a world of spies, murderers and despotic madmen, he can trust no one but an artist, a poet and a brazen sculptress.
Plots thicken, loyalties are tested and bedfellows become strange indeed...
PRESS REVIEWS FOR Paving the New Road
'Filled with fascinating facts and blended with believable fiction.'
- Brenda, Goodreads
Rowland Sinclair and his friends, Milton, Clyde and Edna accompanied Kingsford Smith in the hop across the continents in their first plane ride as they headed for Munich where Rowland was to perform his duty as a spy. It was 1933 and Australian, Eric Campbell was planning on meeting Hitler and bringing the Fuhrer's dictatorship to Australia. Rowly's task was to stop Campbell from attending any important meetings.The dangers were immense, and for awhile the four friends thought it was all a bit of a lark. Until it no longer was. Under the guise of artists, with papers attesting to their positions, they met up with murderers, despots and madmen - but still Rowly persisted. He was determined to do the job he was tasked with. Would they succeed? And would they escape with their lives in such a volatile landscape?
Paving the New Road is the 4th in the Rowland Sinclair series by Aussie author Sulari Gentill, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, as I have the first three. It was filled with fascinating facts and blended with believable fiction. Along the way, Rowly and his friends met up with Albert Goering, (brother to Hermann Goering who was known as the good brother who helped Jews and dissidents survive in Germany in WW2); William Somerset Maugham, (British playwright, novelist and short story writer); Nancy Wake, (the White Mouse who was a secret agent during WW2) among others. An intriguing, well-written and researched episode, I'm very much looking forward to #5, Gentlemen Formerly Dressed.
Highly recommended.
Brenda, Goodreads
'I am enthralled by Rowland Sinclair and his friends.'
- Ashleigh, Goodreads
I am enthralled by Rowland Sinclair and his friends. Paving the New Road hurtles him even more towards having political opinions as he enters Nazi Germany and makes his attempt to stop the spread of Nazism to Australia in 1933, 5 years before the Anschluss and Kristallnacht, and six years before the beginning of World War Two - I am curious to see how Sulari will handle these events or if she does, in later books and their impact on Rowly's world.Paving the New Road, like the previous three books, brings Rowly into contact with historical figures in a believable and unique way. Their interactions make the book, especially his encounters with the SA and Nancy Wake in Munich. It was an intriguing read, one that kept me turning the pages and not wanting to put it down until I had uncovered what was going on and knew Rowly's fate when he was caught in one of his dangerous situations. I am looking forward to reading the next books in the series.
Ashleigh, Goodreads
'This title has sat in my TBR shelves for far too long'
- Kerrie , Goodreads
This title has sat in my TBR shelves for far too long. In it the author cleverly reminds of what is happening in the world in 1933: Germany rapidly heading into fascism; that there are those who would like to see Australia heading the same way. When Rowland Sinclair agrees to go to Germany instead of his brother Wilfred, Rowland's bohemian friends decide to accompany him. And how else to get there quickly other than in Kingsford-Smith's Southern Cross?I loved the way some now famous names came to life in this story including Kingsford-Smith, Eva Braun, Hermann Goering and Nancy Wake, just to name a few.Although the action of the story really is improbable, it makes a captivating tale, and excellent reading.
Kerrie , Goodreads
