Media Release
"From CEO to Secret Action Thriller Author: Brisbane Mum Helps her Dad Launch Third Action Thriller by Surprise Novelist AJ Wilton
“"Dad's novel revelation left me stunned. He's always been so focused on his business, so discovering his secret creative side was like finding a diamond in the rough.”
Brisbane Mum Courtney Wilton was taken by surprise when her Dad, AJ Wilton, revealed he had written an entire fictional action thriller in secret. That was in 2020. Now he has written another two in the same series, with more to come.
Ms Wilton, a psychologist in her 30s with an active five-year-old daughter, said she had no idea her Dad, a successful CEO in the vehicle hire industry, who worked seven days a week and hardly read at all, had written an entire novel in just a few months.
“I was very surprised - I knew Dad liked to read the odd book but I never knew he had a secret desire to write one. He kept it a secret from everyone, even my Mum. I think for him it was an outlet during Covid when his main business had slowed down a little and perhaps to keep his mind off things.”
AJ Wilton understands his daughter, and other family members and friends would have been surprised, but he said he had actually thought up the story and various character and location details many years ago.
“It took just nine months from the day I wrote the first word until publishing to complete this novel of over 350 pages,” he said.
The first book is about fictional characters Mort, a retired elite serviceman, and his friend from the same division in the Australian Army, Pig, as they unwittingly face industrial espionage and corruption, while trying to find out how Mort’s late wife was killed.
Despite balancing her own work and home life, Ms Wilton got involved by reading and editing the manuscript. Then in January 2022, she submitted it to three different Australian publishers on his behalf, and was surprised to receive not only one, but two offers to publish.
While Ms Wilton was meeting with publishers, AJ Wilton continued to run his two business, consisting of both 600 project specific trucks, and tools and supplies.
When “You Killed My Wife” set in the city of Brisbane was published last year, AJ Wilton celebrated. However, unbeknown to most of his family and friends, he had also already finished writing the second book, “Mortice: Justice Mort Style.”
Ms Wilton was starting to get used to the idea of her practical, business-oriented father as an action-thriller author, showcasing many recognisable Brisbane and Gold Coast venues, and local events in the narratives.
“Dad has always been a hard worker and how he balances his heavy workload as well as being a hands-on parent is beyond me. Obviously, we all grew up years ago but he always makes time for us and his grandchildren,” Ms Wilton said.
AJ Wilton’s most recent book is called Mortice in America where protagonists Mort and his counterpart Pig come face to face with a deadly cartel. Together with love interest Suzie, the trio need to use their lethal skills to stay alive.
“I decided to take the story to North America to increase the readership – my thinking being having the story in their home countries would help this,” AJ Wilton said.
“But it also allowed me to highlight some of my favourite destinations in the world, Vancouver, Lake Louise and so on, so it was a bit of a whimsical journey for me.”
According to AJ Wilton, another Mort book is on its way: Mortice: Hammer Down which is based back in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Tasmania.
All three books can be purchased:
For further information:
Kerry McDuling, PR Consultant
tel: + 61 410 578 194
Awards nominations
Mortice: Justice Mort style has been nominated for two awards:
Winners for both are announced in August.