Champagne Beach

‘Book 1 in the series was Shortlisted for 2024 Ned Kelly Awards, Best Debut Crime Fiction’

In the serene setting of Vanuatu’s Santo Island, tranquillity shatters when the lifeless body of a French farmer, Guy Simeon, is discovered on the pristine white sands of Champagne Beach. As they delve deeper, a labyrinth of secrets, coercion, and lies emerges. Simeon’s missing wife and strained relationship with his son paint a complex picture of his troubled life. Moreover, his financial woes and grievous interactions with locals only deepen the pool of suspects.

From the bustling port town of Luganville to the idyllic beaches and azure waters of Santo, George and Jayline tirelessly pursue leads, but find themselves entangled in a web of confusion with no clear motive, weapon, or suspect in sight.

Praise for the series ... a tour de force both in its vivid descriptions of warts-and-all Vanuatu and its ability to suck the reader into the frustrating investigation of its likeable detective. A thoroughly enjoyable read. - Colin Cotterill, best-selling crime fiction author.

About the Author

Matt Francis is an Australian-based academic with a love of Vanuatu and the Pacific. He has spent the last two decades researching and writing about this part of the world. Matt began his career working for an international aid agency and has undertaken development work across Asia and the Pacific. Matt’s academic research has largely focused on the Pacific, where he has written on sustainability of aid projects, national identity, religion and development action, children with disability, and humanitarian responses. He continues to work as a university professor and still undertakes field-work across the Pacific.

Matt lives in Melbourne with his wife and three children.