Shane Maloney and Murray Whelan are both dear to my heart. Too close to reality for comfort. Hilarious portrayal of leftie politics, union agitators and standover tactics. Probably enhances the reading experience if you hail from Melbourne and your idealistic political hopes are already somewhat bruised. However, I am certain these political currents are universal so any reader will appreciate the humour. I have all the Murray Whelan novels and treasure every one.Love the disclaimer:"The author of this book, its setting and its characters are entirely fictitious. There is no such place as Melbourne. The Australian Labor Party exists only in the imagination of its memebrs"