Neo-noirotica author Michael Forman is set to launch his third novel. His book will likely include historic monuments from the infamous St Helena Convict Settlement and its graveyard.
Forman, who is no stranger to the dark side of writing, is currently researching the details of two cemeteries located on the western side of St Helena island.
“I’ve visited St Helena several times and have many photographs of it. I’m most interested in measuring the distance between the two cemetery sites and studying the trees around them them.
What makes St Helena’s graveyard so different from many others is that it is not connected to the mainland. It requires a short boat trip to get to this isolated area.
“Graveyard locations have a mystical feel. They often have overbearing trees, vines and all manner of growth leaning into their space, closing in on any characters underneath them. For my new story, I didn’t want that. I need a scene open to the sky so my characters could have an unimpeded view of the stars above. It’s important so I’ve been going through online images, as well as those I’ve taken myself, to check if St Helena’s graveyard is right for me.”
While there is a line of trees to the west of St Helena, none are near the cemeteries, blocking a view of the sky. If acceptable, this may be Forman’s best dark fiction yet.
St Helena’s Graveyard (History)
The St Helena penal settlement opened in 1867 and closed in 1932. Approximately fifty convicts and five civilians were buried during this time.
Convict’s tombstones don’t display names. Numbers were inscribed on them. Civilian tombstones were different. They included dates and names.
St Helena’s Graveyard (Today)
Both grave sites were originally unfenced. For security reasons, they are now surrounded by white picket fences and gates. The areas are regularly mowed and cleaned for the enjoyment of day visitors and those attending the night ghost tours.
Park rangers have kept watch over the site since 1981.
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SEETHINGS II follows the return of the Storm Killer as a body on a secluded beach in Moreton Bay, igniting fear and denial. While police dismiss the link, the media doesn’t. Mitchell Felding forms a dangerous bond with a man who understands his darkest impulses. When Natasha enters his life, carrying love letters from her murdered mother, intimacy deepens, and truth closes in. Some futures are inherited. Some have escaped.
SEETHINGS (first in the series) is downloadable and free for a limited time here.
‘Forman’s writing style is artful, with the protagonist Mitchell’s warped thought processes masterfully exposed. The author has a powerful and vivid command of language and his word pictures are stark and disturbingly real.’
Linda J Bettenay, author of ‘Secrets Mothers Keep’ and ‘Wishes For Starlight’
Discover more from Michael Forman – Author of Dark Fiction & Drama
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