The Bluff is a nuanced exploration of contemporary Australian rural life.

 

The judges agreed it is an outstanding winner chosen from a group of impressive novels. The judges were impressed how the author shapes the individual reactions to the murder of a well-liked and supposedly respected man. The Bluff is a deftly crafted novel, filled with sensory writing and an authentic rural setting. The writing is brave without being moralising. Themes of racism, class, coercion, poverty and generational rural wealth are handled with a light yet poignant touch. And the thread that holds the story together is love and belonging. 

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The judges were intrigued by the diverse array of characters and their social positioning. No matter how minor, the characters are complex, flawed, and compelling. Through these characters, a wide range of world views and social issues are explored. The judges were captivated by the complex plot, and the gradual unearthing of intimate secrets and uncomfortable truths.

 

One of the most powerful elements of the novel is the surprising and apt solution to a no-win problem.