AustLit

'In the Western Australian wheatbelt, refugees Anushey, Shahab and their daughter find safety in the sleepy town of Nunich. But when their daughter disappears without a trace and the town is plunged into chaos and violence, their newfound sense of security is shattered. Suspicions flare, slurs are hurled and tensions rise. Suddenly, Nunich and everyone in it find themselves caught in a storm of media frenzy, political corruption and even terrorist threats.

'Then another little girl goes missing.

'Told from the shifting perspectives of a refugee mother, the town mayor, a local journalist and a weary detective, The Missed isn’t just about the race to catch a predator, but also to save a community's soul.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Despite nearly being killed by a kangaroo and almost lynched and run out of town after his comedy was taken far too seriously, Sami Shah is very happy to be living in Australia. He has fronted his own satirical show on TV in Karachi, worked as a journalist and been a highly regarded newspaper columnist - all dangerous occupations to be involved in - when the combination of seeing the aftermaths of a devastating bomb attack and being the target of death threats convinced him to leave Pakistan. Under the terms of their Australian migration visa, Sami and his wife and young daughter were obliged to settle in a rural area, and so they moved to Northam in Western Australia.

'Now Sami is battling a crippling addiction to meat pies, but at least is no longer constantly mistaken for an escaped asylum seeker from the nearby detention centre. He has also been the star of Australian Story, the subject of an article in The New York Times, and has performed countless comedy shows to ever-growing and appreciative audiences.

'I, Migrant tells the hilarious and moving story of what it's like to leave the home you love to start a new life in another country so your child can be safe and grow up with a limitless future. Australia is lucky to have Sami Shah. Read I, Migrant, and laugh till you cry.' (Publication summary)