Butcherbirds Cry at Midnight

A family running a vineyard in the post–World War II era are in crisis. But why, when the prosperous winery is world-renowned for its award-winning wine?

The Algie family are held in high esteem within the small Murray Valley town, Howard and Elizabeth being pillars of society.

Yet all is not what it seems. Mother and daughter have a strained relationship; father and one of the sons are antagonistic to each other, to the point of murderous intent; and the youngest child is introverted. What dark family secret lurks beneath the happy facade that is so carefully nurtured by Howard and Elizabeth? A secret so soul-destroying that hatred threatens to turn to murder—and madness.

It is a story that lurks in many towns and cities, mostly hidden from prying eyes. It is a tale of truth, denial, and shame, one where exposure affects every member of the family, shattered lives that only time might mend.

It is a story of power and loss, of stubborn disbelief at the expense of broken loyalties that leave victims without hope or trust, at the edge of sanity.

The author's stage-play drama of the story was so confrontational that sections of audiences remained seated at the end to compose themselves.