Henry needs a gun. After all, he’s fifteen now and the man of the house now his father’s gone. Besides, all the heroes in Henry’s favourite novels have guns, riding across the Wild West. Wild Bill Hickok couldn’t have had all his amazing adventures against villains if he didn’t have a gun.

Henry’s mother wishes he’d stop reading and drawing and do his chores around their little cottage. The bank might have threatened to foreclose on it, but the fence still needs fixing and the precious but sparse vegies tended to.

When Henry learns one of his biggest writing heroes is in Nelson to deliver a lecture, he can’t wait to ride into town. American novelist Johnny Slick is surprised to see Henry at his hotel door, but gives him some of his time and advice about guns.

Suddenly Henry is in an adventure of his own, right on his doorstep. On the way to deliver some goods to a customer in town, he encounters four strangers around a campfire. One of them spooks Henry’s horse and he falls to the ground. Again he wishes he had a gun to protect himself. The men don’t hurt him, and to Henry’s surprise, the leader invites Henry to join them. He claims to be like Robin Hood, robbing the rich to give to the poor. Later, Henry entertains the idea, relishing thoughts of adventure, gun fights and bravado.

It’s not long before Henry understands exactly what these four men are planning, and it has nothing to do with honour or kindness like Robin Hood. Henry is quickly caught up in a planned bank robbery and even worse – multiple murders right there in his district.

He must summon all the bravery and courage he has read about, from inside himself, in order to save the lives of those dearest to him. Even terribly injured he must endure, just like Wild Bill, and New Zealand’s own folk hero Von Tempsky. But just like these so-called heroes, he learns that guns are not all glory and excitement. They bring pain, fear and worst of all, cold-blooded murder.

Based on true events in Nelson New Zealand in June 1866, where five murders were committed. The four men who were responsible were found spending their ill-gotten gains in town, believing new names would help hide them in plain sight.

Originally a film script, The Physician’s Gun is set in the time of this tragedy, with a fictional fifteen year old boy wanting some excitement in his life and keen to be a man. Henry is a well rounded character, loving his mother, but sick of her bossing and chores. He misses his father, and visits his grave from time to time, wishing for better times past.

He’s a keen reader and skilled artist, which comes to fruition when asked by the local newspaper for sketches of the action he is thrown right in the middle of.

Another thread to the story is a man hell-bent on revenge for the murder of his wife, which adds another riveting layer to the action and intrigue. A mysterious Māori girl trails behind him, intriguing Henry and providing a quiet love interest to the story.

Well researched, the setting of early New Zealand is well portrayed, as immigrants try and scratch a living from the cleared land around them, often with local banks breathing down their necks.

In the rear of the book are photographs of the murderers, the small town of Nelson, and the lead lawman of the town. There is also information about the author, the illustrator and the cover artist.

A riveting, fast-paced, intriguing read. True crime over a century old.

Author – John Evan Harris

Illustrator – Charles Cumming

Age – 11+

(2022, NZ, New Zealand, South Island, Nelson, Colonial NZ, True Crime, Lawman, 1866, Heroes, Hero, Based on a True Story, Murder, Guns, Doctor, Physician, Revenge, Greed, Gold, Historical, Action, Love, Writing, Stories, Penny Dreadfuls, Dime Novels, Hanging, Inspired by True Events, Intrigue, Highwaymen, Robbery, Gang)