The novel Wetland is a sequel to Mr King’s first published work, A Vintage Death.

The new mystery revolves around the unsolved murder of a Melbourne couple, a one-million-dollar reward and a man who wishes to stay anonymous but knows too much.

Mr King said it was always his intent to write a murder mystery series based on the protagonist Detective Sergeant Rory James in regional Victoria.

“For most of my reading life, murder mysteries in Australia were based in Melbourne or Sydney – they never got out to the country,” he said.

“But, nowadays authors are creeping their stories into regional areas and having been raised a country boy I could relate to that. 

“It appealed to me to set mine in areas that I have lived.

“I live in Bendigo and that is were the books are set. I quite enjoyed writing about where I am from and those settings appealed to me.” 

His second piece of work was only recently published, but Mr King already has plans to set his next novel in the Grampians. 

He said the Rocklands Reservoir was where he escaped to write. 

“My publisher is keen for me to do one in the Grampians because that is where I escape to write,” he said. 

“It would be right up my alley – it was my favourite part about living in Horsham, being so close to the Grampians. 

“I write a lot over there in the winter – it’s like a second home. There wouldn’t be a couple of weeks that go past when I am not over there.

“I can’t wait to write the third book in the series.” 

Mr King said he tried to keep his writing process organic. 

“I set myself a problem – a murder – and set about solving it,” he said.  

“It takes me along the path of discovery with research and everything. That is the part I enjoy because it’s not plotted out on a whiteboard beforehand.

“When I get further into the book I can go back and plant clues so it’s an organic process for me.”