Author’s Novel Mirrors Real-Life Dairy Sale in Eltham

Eltham-born author Max Whitehead experienced a striking coincidence as he wrapped up his debut novel, a suspense thriller titled Cheese & Silence. The story, set in his hometown, revolves around a fictional dairy corporation poised to sell to an international buyer, mirroring real events when Fonterra announced the sale of its global consumer businesses, including its cheese division in Eltham.

“The timing is amazing. I’d heard there was a possibility of a sale,” Whitehead remarked. “The next thing I heard, Fonterra is selling their cheese business in Eltham to an international conglomerate.” This unexpected overlap between fiction and reality has added an intriguing layer to his novel.

The plot of Cheese & Silence unfolds with a young girl found dead at the cheese factory, initially ruled a suicide. Her father, unconvinced, seeks help from Jack, an old friend, who returns from Auckland to uncover hidden secrets. Whitehead aimed to create a gripping narrative that keeps readers engaged. “You have to bait the reader to turn the page. You’ve got to lure them with, ‘Oh my gosh, what’s happening to Jack now?’”

Although he left Eltham in 1977, Whitehead maintains strong ties to Taranaki. “I’m proud of coming from a rural town. I could relate to it. There is so much happening behind the scenes,” he said. Now residing in Auckland, he is an employment relations practitioner with over 30 years of experience, having worked with various organizations including the Ports of Auckland and the Auckland District Health Board.

After transitioning into semi-retirement, Whitehead rediscovered writing, spurred on by his daughter’s encouragement to read more for pleasure. “Once I start, I get so carried away it just flows,” he explained, noting that his writing process often drew him away from his business responsibilities.

His background in employment law has influenced his creative approach. “Having to deal with facts and envision the other side’s perspective is where the creativity comes in. I’ve always been fascinated with people and their characters.” He added, “Law taught me about power; fiction lets me explore what it does to people.”

Readers have responded positively to Cheese & Silence, which Whitehead describes as an easy read and an ideal gift for the holiday season. Priced at $40 per copy, interested readers can contact him via email at [email protected].

This unexpected intersection of Whitehead’s fiction with real-world events highlights the dynamic nature of storytelling, where art can indeed reflect life in surprising ways.