Darkly humorous and unapologetically raw, Glass Barbie is a gritty ride through the underbelly of small-town crime in New Zealand.
Karl ‘Cockroach’ Copley is a low-level criminal with a big mouth and even bigger problems. When he convinces his former best mate, Richie, now a senior cop, that he can help rescue their former high school crush Barbie, his plan quickly spirals out of control.
Barbie doesn’t want to be saved, and as secrets unravel, it’s clear there’s more at stake than just a kidnapping.
From Whāngarei to Kaitaia to the Bay of Islands, Karl stumbles through a world of bikers, betrayals and bad decisions, trying to piece together the truth. His misguided road trip is a vivid tale of bounty hunting, bungled rescues and broken friendships.
But is Karl really the hero in this story—or just another pawn? The motives behind each of the character’s actions are key to understanding their moral dilemmas and choices, making Glass Barbie a compelling read.
“Glass Barbie is my take on the many ‘Kiwi crime thrillers’ out there. It’s rooted in real life experiences - whether through personally witnessing, hearing about, or being one degree of separation from the risks, chaos and gritty realities of New Zealand’s underworld,” says Michael.
Michael’s authentic language instantly immersed me in Karl’s volatile and unfiltered world. His clever use of humour also helps lighten the grim realities of crime and addiction. Fans of gritty, fast-paced thrillers will be hooked from the first page!
Michael Botur is an award-winning writer who lives in Northland.
Reviewer: Andrea Molloy
Lasavia Publishing