Sulari Gentill

***CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FIRST CHAPTER

A Rowland Sinclair Novel

 In 1932, the RMS Aquitania embodies all that is gracious and refined, in a world gripped by crisis and doubt.

Returning home on the luxury liner after months abroad, Rowland Sinclair and his companions dine with a suffragette, a Bishop and a retired World Prophet. The Church encounters less orthodox religion in the Aquitania’s chandeliered ballroom, where men of God rub shoulders with mystics in dinner suits.

The elegant atmosphere on board is charged with tension, but civility prevails… until people start to die. Then things get a bit awkward.

And Rowland finds himself unwittingly in the centre of it all.

“I’m afraid, Sinclair has a habit of being in the wrong place every possible time. I would think twice about standing next to him.”

“God forbid, Rowland, you should return home without some sort of scandal… leading some kind of insane cult!”

  

OUT NOW! Ask for it at all good booksellers

 

**Sulari Gentill shortlisted for Commonwealth Writers' Prize for Best First Book

About the Author

Sulari Gentill studied astrophysics and then law, and later tossed in her law career to write book instead of contracts. Her first novel, A Few Right Thinking Men, was shortlisted for the Commonwealth Writers' Prize 2011 for Best First Book for our region. A Decline in Prophets is her second novel in the Rowland Sinclair series. Chasing Odysseus is her first novel in the Young Adult Hero trilogy. Sulari has also been offered a Varuna Fellowship, commended in the Fellowship of Australian Writers’ 2008 Jim Hamilton Award and long-listed for the Hachette/QLD writers Centre Australian Manuscript Development Program for fiction writers. more >

Interviews

Hear ABC Radio National's Richard Aedy interview Sulari on Life Matters

Hear ABC Radio National's The Book Show interview Sulari

Hear ABC Radio Canberra interview Sulari

What people are saying about the book

Women's Weekly:

"...An elusive killer, a charming sleuth and a historical setting, A Decline in Prophets is glossy, original and appealingly Australia."

The Age:

"Sulari Gentill's A Decline in Prophets continues the sparkling crime series that began with A Few Right Thinking Men...Gentill writes charming Australian historical crime. There's an Evelyn-Waugh-meets-Agatha-Christie feel about this series, though it perhaps bears closer comparison to the celebrated contemporary author of period crime, the Russian Boris Akunin"

Booktopia:

"The sequel to A Few Right Thinking Men: A Decline in Prophets - a heady mix of religion, murder and scandal... the inner workings of an international cult (the Theosophical Movement), luxury boats, seances and mystics and the Masons - in short, the grace, charm and contradiction of the 1930s (plus a rather alarming body count), all put together with Gentill's now trademark light-hearted irony." Click here to buy it at Booktopia

ABC Radio  National's The Book Show:

"A historical crime series featuring a wiley detective makes us think of Miss Marple or Inspector Poirot..."

ABC Radio 666 Drive Canberra:

“This is a very entertaining and lovely book… what is so lovely about it is the characters and the historical detail… People who love Kerry Greenwood’s books featuring Phryne Fisher, the very wealthy flapper in 1928 in Melbourne, well, Rowland is your equivalent and these books are very reminiscent… that same attention to the history… that same attention to the luxury and having a central character who has money and is able to go anywhere in the world as a consequence… and we’re in these extraordinary places… I was much more interested in the colour, movement, light history, the sense of Sydney in the 1930s, the sense of place… that is what I loved…” (Sue Turnbull) Click here to listen to the podcast

Books Plus (Bathurst)

"This richly detailed historical mystery, beautifully bringing 1930s society to life, is a terrific read."

Crime Space:

 

"If you've not caught up yet with Rowly Sinclair... where on earth have you been? ... great story telling. Good characters, a believable plot, both of which transport the reader to a place and a time that just feels right. A Decline in Prophets is just a fantastic book" (Karen). more review>

Bendigo Weekly:

"PICK OF THE WEEK... I zoomed through A Decline in Prophets..." more review>

Angela Savage:

"I'm inclined to describe A Decline in Prophets as ‘keen, snazzy, swell’ – an assured, engaging, highly entertaining novel from a talented and prolific author... To sum up in the language of the 1930s, Sulari is one cool broad whose juicy books will blow your wig." more review>

Fair Dinkum Crime:

"It looks like I’m set for another adventure which will bring to life some more little-known events in Australian history and combine my interests in things artistic and political. How delicious." more review >

Fair Dinkum Crime:

"... the relationships between the various members of the group are a real highlight of this book... a gripping mystery... thoughtfully drawn characters, gentle but clever humour and the obvious love Gentill has for the story she wants to tell and the time period in which it is set made this a very satisfying read for me and one I would recommend widely." more review >

What people are saying about Sulari

Marele Day, award-winning novelist:

''Witty dialogue, lively characters..."

Australian Book Review (Laurie Steed):

"It takes a talented writer to imbue history with colour and vivacity. It is all the more impressive when the author creates a compelling narrative..." more review>

Sun-Herald:

"Gentill has chosen a fascinating yet little-known period in history... Fans of classic crime fiction will also be pleased to learn that, with her amateur detective Rowland Sinclair, she has brought back the gentleman sleuth but with a difference: he's a larrikin Lord Peter Wimsey, with a penchant for living la vie de boheme." (Christine Cremen)

Booktopia.com.au:

"Get used to her name. We are going to be hearing a lot more of it."  more review>

Lindfield Bookshop, Sydney (Scott Whitmont):

"A new Rowly Sinclair novel is planned for 2011. Bring it on!" more>

Angela Savage (author):

"Sulari does a great job of weaving fact and fiction together..."  

Central Coast Advocate (Alesha Evans):

"... Gentill has created a cast of unique and likeable characters who drive the novel with their humorous and witty dialogue...  Gentill ensures the reader feels at home in 1930s Australia. For those who have an interest in the dark side of Australian politics and history, or even those who just love a good murder mystery to solve"

Crime Space (Karen from Auscrime):

“The characters are wonderfully drawn. Rowland and friends are eccentric, but not overly so, they fit within that period of history well... ”

Ozzie Book Reviews:

"Sulari captures the heart of Australia, highlighting a mad period of her history in a fictional story that is intriguing and entertaining. Her characters appeal to the reader while instructing the uninformed about the past... even if you have no interest in history, the story itself is wonderful. A murder mystery in the style of Agatha Christie, a mystery without the blood and horror of most modern authors. I will be watching with interest to see what further adventures Mr Rowland Sinclair is involved in and I look forward to reading more of Ms Gentill's works."

Bibliolathas:

"...I loved all the characters and am thoroughly looking forward to the sequel where Gentill can push forward with their development."

Reactions to Reading (Bernadette)

"... interesting historical details and warm, lively characters. It’s a delicious treat of a book." Click Here > to read her updated review and congratulations to Sulari