Author hopeful his South West story could break out in Hollywood

A South West author has his sights set on turning his third novel into a screenplay with the story following a detective tracking down a Fenian arms-smuggler. Peter Murphy launched his third novel Fenian Hunter on Sunday, with hopes it could become a movie starring Cillian Murphy. Born in Ireland, but calling the South West home for more than 40 years, Murphy said the history, landscape and culture had inspired his writing. The new book is a fictional take on the story of John Boyle O’Reilly and the Fenians. Set in mid-19th Century Australia, it follows the journey of Detective Sergeant Thomas Holmes who is in pursuit of a man known as the Captain — a Fenian arms-smuggler on a mission to rescue his comrades from Fremantle Prison. “It’s aimed at those readers who are interested in Australia’s colonial history, but also those who like a little bit of an adventure and a few thrills, spills and mystery - it’s all in there,” Murphy said. “It encapsulates the South West during a period when murder happened on a whim, and it was tough times for the early settlers and also the Aboriginal people. “So, it’s all intertwined, all these characters, and it gets down and it gets pretty dirty.” Mr Murphy said the book offers an exciting story — with a love story twist — and addresses social issues of the time, which are still relevant today.