ADF intrigue in a pacific setting
The result of a life in the ADF and the media

Shooting Script

By Phil Smith, Ninderry Press, 281 pages. $16.95

Reviewer :: Pte Simone Heyer and Cpl Mark Eaton

If you’re fond of a modern-day warrie, especially one set in our part of the world, Shooting Script is sure to appeal.

It has been described as Air Force’s answer to Tom Clancy – something you should determine for yourself. It is however, fast-paced and no-nonsense with an interesting format of date/location heading up straight text – very X-Files, interspersed with broadcast journalism-type breakouts. For the uninitiated this may require a double take, but I think it adds to the feel of the novel.

Shooting Script brings together the quite different interests of journalism and the Defence Force – what better voice to do this than an insider from both worlds, Phil Smith, ABC radio man and Air Force reserve flight lieutenant.

Phil is one of those Defence people who thought that writing a book would be a good idea – then actually did it. All the way through soldiers, sailors and air people alike will be able to identify with the kit, the locations and the lingo. It really is a book catered for our type of people.

Set in Noumea and Bougainville, Shooting Script pits an Australian television news crew and their mysterious government liaison officer against French Foreign Legionnaires and Indonesian renegades bent on havoc through the Pacific.

The action takes place on the eve of an independence ballot for the war-torn island of Bougainville.

If you enjoy the book, you’ll be pleased to note, word has it that a screenplay script is being written from the novel – wait with anticipation.