Murder and Mayhem in Colonial NZ with Cristina Sanders

Cristina will talk about New Zealand historical fiction and her new book Ōkiwi Brown. She is the author of three previous historical novels, Jerningham set in colonial Wellington, Mrs Jewell and the Wreck of the General Grant and Displaced, set in Norsewood. Ōkiwi Brown was a real person who operated a hostelry at Rona Bay in Eastbourne which was a stopover on the way to Wairarapa.

Cristina’s novel draws the real Ōkiwi Brown into the mystery of the missing Hare of the Burke and Hare Edinburgh body snatchers and dark deeds in early colonial Wellington.

In co-operation with Wairarapa Word. Entry is by Koha but places are limited so please register to secure your seat.

About Cristina Sanders

Cristina Sanders grew up in the family’s Gateway Bookshop in Wellington and has been a keen reader ever since. An obsession with New Zealand colonial history and geography defines her novels. Mrs Jewell and the Wreck of the General Grant was a finalist for the 2023 Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction and Displaced was shortlisted for the NZ Book Awards for Children after winning the Storylines Tessa Duder Award in 2020. Jerningham was shortlisted for the 2020 NZ Heritage Awards.

Cristina lives in Hawke’s Bay and is a volunteer crew member of the youth training ship Spirit of New Zealand, where the sailing and the sailors keep her well supplied with yarns.

This event is part of Yarns in Barns: Wairarapa Festival of Reading which takes place between 12–26th October 2024. This community-led festival features cracking yarns and tall tales for all ages from some of Aotearoa's best writers and storytellers held in an eclectic range of venues across the Wairarapa. View the full festival programme at yarnsinbarns.co.nz

Presented by Hedley's Books, Fraser Books, Masterton District Library and the Wairarapa Library Service.