Plots and Prayers

Malcolm Turnbull’s demise and Scott Morrison’s ascension

Niki Savva author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Scribe Publications

Published:10th Oct '19

£16.99

Available to order, but very limited on stock - if we have issues obtaining a copy, we will let you know.

Plots and Prayers cover

In an enthralling sequel to her bestselling The Road to Ruin, Niki Savva reveals the inside story of a bungled coup that overthrew the Liberal prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, and installed a surprise successor, Scott Morrison, who went on to take the party to a miraculous electoral victory.

On 21 August 2018, 35 Liberal MPs cast their vote against Malcolm Turnbull, effectively signalling the end of his leadership. Three days later, the deed was done, and Scott Morrison was anointed prime minister.

Tony Abbott’s relentless campaign of destabilisation, helped along by his acolytes in the parliament and by his powerful media mates, the betrayals of colleagues, and the rise of the religious right — climaxing in Peter Dutton’s challenge — all played a part in Turnbull’s downfall.

But so did Turnbull’s own poor political judgement. He was a good prime minister and a terrible politician. The good bits of Malcolm were not enough to make up for the bad Malcolm.

Nevertheless, the sheer brutality of his removal left many Liberals aghast. MPs were traumatised or humiliated by eight days of madness. Men and women cried from sheer anguish. They went through hell, and feared when it was over that they would not make it back — and nor would the Liberal Party. As it turned out, redemption came with Morrison’s unexpected single-handed 2019 election victory.

Turnbull’s road ended in ruins, as it was always bound to and as he always knew it would, as he predicted to Niki Savva less than three years before it happened.

But when his end was imminent, he could not bear to let go. And when it was over, he was defiant, fragile — and, yes — vengeful.

This is the inside story of what happened — and what happened next.

‘The result is a forensically researched and brutally revealing chronicle of the days and weeks before and after the August coup — one told with the precision of an investigative journalist but in the elegant narrative style that always makes Savva a great read.’

-- Paul Williams * Australian Book Review *

‘How good is this book! So much intrigue. So many revelations. Such a brilliant read.’

* Laurie Oakes *

‘A forensic and gripping account of Turnbull’s departure and Scott Morrison’s arrival ... Savva has written an account that moves at the velocity of an express train without brakes.’

-- Stephen Loosely * Weekend Australian *

‘Explosive.’

-- Aidan Wondracz * Daily Mail Australia *

‘Books about politicians are not for everyone. Nor are horror stories. This absorbing and very well-researched book is both.’

-- Erich Mayer * ArtsHub *

‘Plots and Prayers provides a detailed and fascinating look at one of the craziest weeks in Australian politics. It’s part documentary, part thriller. You’ll not want to put it down, but also throw it across the room because of frustrations with the central characters ... this book is a must read.’

-- Tobi Lotus * Chronicle *

‘Canberra insider Niki Savva’s new book burrows deep inside the ousting of former PM Malcolm Turnbull ... accurate and an important historical record.’

-- Ellen Whinnett * The Observer *

‘Niki Savva’s Plots and Prayers is heroin for political junkies. It is a fast-paced, funny and detailed chronicle of the events that led to the ousting of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and the rise of Scott Morrison as Australia’s latest prime minister.’

* Neos Kosmos *

Praise for The Road to Ruin:

‘This is what you have to remember about Savva’s controversial book, The Road to Ruin: she was onto this story early and she ran with it in her weekly column … her account of the coup is both suspenseful and full of fascinating, granular detail.’

* Sydney Morning Herald *

Praise for The Road to Ruin:

‘Savva's inside knowledge and contacts within the Liberal Party (especially the party's moderate centre) means the planning leading up to the spill is a fascinating real-life political thriller … a cracking political read.’

* Adelaide Review *

Praise for So Greek:

‘Intelligent, well-written and incredibly knowledgeable.’

* West Australi

ISBN: 9781912854646

Dimensions: 234mm x 153mm x 29mm

Weight: unknown

408 pages