Fiction with a social conscience

The Target - A New Thriller by Riley Chance

2026

Cover of a book titled 'The Target' by Riley Chance, featuring a modern indoor scene with people, a circular target graphic, and a reflection of a calendar notice.

“A page-turning, thought-provoking read.” NZ Booklovers

2024

A paperback book titled 'Weeping Angels' by Riley Chance, featuring a cover with a car wreck on a forested mountain road.

“One of the most important New Zealand novels of the year.” ReadNZ

2023

Cover of a book titled 'The Democracy Game' by Riley Chance, featuring a man with outstretched arms standing in front of a crowd with a spotlight shining on him.

“A first-rate thriller for the thinking person!” NZ Booklovers

2022

Book titled 'Surveillance' by Riley Chance with cover image of a street scene captured through a camera viewfinder overlay.

“an unusual espionage thriller that packs a decent punch.” Ngaio Marsh International Panel

Buy from Riley Chance

The stories behind the stories
What they say about us

A collection of articles focused on society
New Zealand should have compulsory voting
New Zealand should have compulsory voting

Given the current polls, the election result is impossible to forecast, but what I can confidently predict is that over 500,000 enrolled New Zealanders will not vote…

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Changes to the PLR Scheme Fall Well Short
Changes to the PLR Scheme Fall Well Short

The changes announced are, at best, underwhelming. A reduction in the number of physical copies an author needs held and an administrative mechanism to deal with errors if the scheme makes a mistake. Whatever the review cost, it wasn’t worth it.

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The Future of AI Isn't Inevitable
The Future of AI Isn't Inevitable

The threat of AI is more about the threat of large groups of people with little stake in the future and less to lose.

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Democracy doesn't disappear overnight …
Democracy doesn't disappear overnight …

‘It is not possible for any thinking person to live in such a society as our own without wanting to change it.’ - George Orwell – June 1938

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Various stuff I've collected including behind the scenes and on-the-floor material
The motivation behind The Target
The motivation behind The Target

I have always been a firm believer in the trade union movement and its vital role in society.

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Never leave them with strangers
Never leave them with strangers

Pets have a way of burning themselves into your heart, the same way only special people can – maybe even more so. It’s that unwavering trust, friendship and attention – they’re always delighted to see you. People aren’t built like that.

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Creating an audiobook hub!
Creating an audiobook hub!

Goal: To develop a sustainable process that produces audiobooks using resources based in and around Palmerston North.

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Marla Simmons - Backstory cut from manuscript
Marla Simmons - Backstory cut from manuscript

She returned on a greyhound bus, dressed as a vagrant taking a cheap room in a cheap motel.

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Behind-the-scenes insight and uncomfortable truths

The Latest aphorism

Aphorisms are short, sharp lines that might be true - Nietzsche certainly thought so.
(I collect them all here).

“Not Voting is a vote for the Status Quo.”
— Riley Chance