B.M. Allsopp's Blog

The next Fiji Islands Mystery!

I'm thrilled to tell you my next book is coming up. I've finished the first draft, revised it and will send it to my editor next week.

I'll let you know the title very soon. For now, I can say #6 in my Fiji Islands Mysteries presents a disturbing case which provokes DI Joe Horseman to make profound choices aoubt his future.
I promise more details soon. In the meantime,

Happy reading!

Bernadette

B.M. Allsopp
https://www.bmallsopp.com/

Humans in Fiji: strangers in paradise 2

What were Fiji's glorious islands like 3,500 years ago? We now know the large, mountainous islands were covered by lush rainforest. The western parts of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu are now...

May 13th is Rotuma Day: but where is Rotuma?

May 13th is Rotuma Day, celebrated with gusto in not only on Rotuma Island, but in Suva, Lautoka, Samoa, Tonga, Australia and New Zealand. So, where is Rotuma?

Iguanas: Fiji's first settlers?

A few weeks ago, Fiji again made headlines in the world scientific media, when the mystery of Fiji's iguanas was solved.

Kava or yaqona: Fiji's iconic ceremonial brew

Inexplicably, until now I've not blogged about kava (yaqona in Fijian), Fiji's iconic ceremonial brew. In pre-colonial times it was a drink

Fiji's national flower: tagimaucia

Not many Fijians have seen a tagimaucia, beloved as the national flower of their island nation. This is not surprising as the tagimaucia (Medinilla waterhousei) is a creeper that races to the top of the rainforest canopy on mountain tops in Taveuni, Fiji's third largest island. It's a shame that the the plant stubbornly refuses cultivation, for the scarlet branches, bracts and delicate white flowers would surely beautify gardens everywhere.

 Both Fijians and visitors are much more familiar wi...

Update: will the tsunami of organised crime destroy Fiji?

Seven months ago I presented evidence here of how the low-crime Fiji I knew twenty years ago has transformed. The glorious Fiji islands are now the Pacific hub for the transit, manufacture and supply of drugs to the Australian and New Zealand markets.

Some allege that during 16 years in power, the Bainimarama government ignored the rapid invasion by criminal drug cartels originating in Asia and Central/South America. However, several events since Sitiveni Rabuka won government, culminating in...

Banking on Fiji

Fiji banks make the headlines

Over the last year, the unexciting topic of banking services in Fiji has made headlines with increasing frequency. Here's a chronological selection:

"Westpac to maintain Pacific presence, cancels sale of PNG, Fiji banks" (Financial Review, Oct 4, 2023)

"Australia-US forum aims to solve Pacific banking crisis" (Financial Review, July 7, 2024)

"Why are Australian banks getting out of the Pacific?" (ABC News, Aug 4, 2024))

"Bank of China set to open first bran...

Matthew Flinders - hero home from the sea

I couldn't believe my eyes when I read recent reports of the remains of Captain Matthew Flinders being reburied in the village church in his birth place, Donington in England. Hang on! Hadn't I posted about this in 2022? Yes! Here! After hours of trying to track down the source of my error, I can only conclude that I assumed the plan to rebury the great navigator had already been carried out. I broke the cardinal rule of research: never assume anything.

For those who haven't a clue what I'm goi...

My favourite Fiji dish: kokoda

Readers of Fiji Islands Mysteries often tell me they enjoy hearing about Fijian food in my books. Recently, I received an email asking me about my favourite Fijian dish. I posted this recipe years ago, since when the number of Fiji Fan Club members has grown by a factor of ten. So it's definitely time to share the recipe for kokoda (pronounced ko-kon-da) again.

Kokoda recipe

This is a super-easy recipe you all can try. Kokoda (pronounced ko-kon-da) is a marinated fish dish like ceviche from...