Down Beneath The Skin: A Lost Man's Journey Kindle Edition

Down Beneath The Skin (104,500 words)Theme :Edmund Burke “All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain quiet.”Summary :Danny Isosceles Delta is a recovering drug addict who is trying to create some routine in his life to help in his remission. He has the unyielding support of his mother, Ursula, but is racked with shame and regret over criminal things he has done and lost friends he has betrayed. He has had difficulty finding any true meaning and has continually felt disassociated so believes he needs to get out of Melbourne and establish new friendships in a different environment. He eventually takes a job as a student counsellor at the Wilmaroo High School in Eastern Victoria.At the urging of one of the interviewers, Travis Mottram (Mott), he accepts cheap accommodation from local businessman Neil Johnson (Jonno) in return for agreeing to play football for Wilmaroo after a six year hiatus. He comes in contact with the coach, John Davis (Davo) and a senior player, and local policeman, Roger Burns (Pilot), both of whom he finds confronting and menacing. The behaviour of these sociopaths is endorsed by a cast of racist, ignorant and bigoted team members who make no effort to reel them in. In his role at the Wilmaroo High School Danny quickly forms a bond of mutual respect with the Principal, Syd Nye, but initially clashes with Vice Principal Jenny Best. Syd and his wife Linda meet with Danny and express their suspicion that Davo and Pilot have done something atrociously damaging to their son Ricky, who has never recovered. Davo’s treatment of his own daughter, Chelsea, has also aroused concern at the school. Danny is befriended by the netball coach, Peg Ryan, who supports him and takes him in to her confidence. She reveals her own convictions that Davo and Pilot are criminals who are responsible for multiple deaths within her family. Danny enters into a relationship with Peg’s daughter, Maggie, and through her befriends and assists Syd and Linda’s son Ricky. At a pre-season training camp Danny overhears confirmation of Ricky’s assault which heightens the tension between him and the perpetrators, Davo and Pilot. After a local boy is murdered Danny, Peg and Maggie, with the help of Detective Jim Morrow, resolve to publicly expose the culprits. As they get closer to the truth life becomes increasingly dangerous for all of them with mounting incidents of threats and intimidation. It all ends in dramatic circumstances. Read more