Description
Riley’s life is falling apart. He’s on the brink of losing his business and marriage. Everyone wants a piece of him. Overwhelmed, he escapes to a childhood haven.
But when he isolates himself in a run-down shack on the far side of the creek, the cheerful occupants of the sleepy seaside village grow suspicious of him. His odd behaviour, coupled with the disappearance of an employee, has tongues wagging with intrigue and speculation as to what he is doing over there.
Even Riley doubts his decision when unwanted intruders come knocking. Paradise is not so welcoming any more, yet he digs in, determined to prove them all wrong.
Travis James (verified owner) –
See what people have to say on Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/182109074
Ashley Johnson (verified owner) –
ESCAPE pulled me in from the start and didn’t let go. Riley’s emotional breakdown and retreat to his childhood sanctuary is both heartbreaking and compelling. The small-town suspicion, the eerie disappearance, and the tension between isolation and intrusion kept me turning pages late into the night.
A beautifully written, character-driven story that explores judgment, redemption, and the fragile edge of sanity. Absolutely unforgettable.
Madison Carter (verified owner) –
Escape to Patonga is a beautifully written story about breaking down and finding your way back. Travis James captures emotion, tension, and small-town suspicion perfectly. The seaside setting feels alive, and Riley’s journey is raw, real, and unforgettable. A powerful mix of mystery and heart — I couldn’t put it down!
Charlotte (verified owner) –
ESCAPE To Patonga pulls me into Riley’s unraveling world with a mix of mystery and raw emotion. What begins as a simple escape turns into a gripping reflection on guilt, isolation, and the price of starting over. The seaside setting feels hauntingly alive, and Riley’s struggle to find peace kept me hooked until the very end.
James Timothy (verified owner) –
The way you built tension without shouting was masterful. The slow-burn paranoia. The way Riley’s isolation bled into the village’s judgment. It wasn’t just about what happened — it was about how it felt to be trapped, scrutinized, and misunderstood. You didn’t over-explain. You let the silence speak. And that’s what made it so unnerving and unforgettable. The transformation of Patonga — from peaceful escape to pressure cooker — was subtle, eerie, and real. It’s been a while since I got that can’t-put-this-book-down feeling. The depth, the emotion, the rhythm of the story… it was all so vivid. Thank you!!!
Tracy Stanley (verified owner) –
Escape to Patonga provides the opportunity to visit a coastal town on the mid north coast of New South Wales, with Riley, while he attempts to sort out the mess he’s made of his marriage and job. There’s drug smuggling, a kidnapping and an amorous woman to contend with.
Has the feels of the fictional town of Pearl Bay in the Australian TV series Seachange, with flawed characters in a small community, but a bit darker.
Howard Peter-Burrel Moul (verified owner) –
The writing style of Travis James does indeed draw you in at times. By no means is this book without promise. Travis falls into the same traps as many other new authors do, including myself. I know from experience since I myself am a dyslexic author myself. I know the trials of writing and the sweet rewards of success. Travis is a hard working author and does deserve our support for the work that he laid he for us.
Amandine Llwyd (verified owner) –
Escape to Patonga is a mystery-thriller that believably details the story of Riley Pitman, a taciturn introvert who is struggling in his marriage, while also juggling a successful import business, with the added danger of agreeing to smuggle in illicit substances at the behest of a drinking buddy. When he can’t handle the pressure anymore, he goes to a village where he used to vacation as a child, and because of his reticent and icy nature, he is gossiped about by the locals, who potentially get the completely wrong idea about him.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was a lot of fun, and it definitely kept me guessing as to what had actually happened at a couple of points. And the plot twist definitely took me by surprise! I enjoyed being able to read about a real place, that was lovingly described, where you felt like you could smell the salty sea air, and you could feel the sand between your toes. And I hope Travis James publishes the next book, because I want to know what happens next! If you enjoy mystery thrillers from Down Under, give Escape To Patonga a go! It’ll be a lot of fun, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy the ride!
Amanda Elliott (verified owner) –
Escape to Patonga is a mystery-thriller that believably details the story of Riley Pitman, a taciturn introvert who is struggling in his marriage, while also juggling a successful import business, with the added danger of agreeing to smuggle in illicit substances at the behest of a drinking buddy. When he can’t handle the pressure anymore, he goes to a village where he used to vacation as a child, and because of his reticent and icy nature, he is gossiped about by the locals, who potentially get the completely wrong idea about him.
Stephanie Deane – Primary School Teacher (verified owner) –
Escape to Patonga has the capacity to draw the reader into its storyline through creating a strong connection to the lives and personality traits of each character. An exciting read with lots of intrigue and plot twists along the way. Tourism in Patonga is destined to escalate after reading this novel!
Dr John Brown PhD Clinical Psychologist (verified owner) –
From the opening handshake, Escape to Patonga instantly transported me into the world of the characters and held me there through the twists and turns of the plot until the very end! I’m now keen to return to Patonga to reacquaint myself with Riley’s haven! A great read!