David Whittet is a family doctor, a multi-award-winning independent filmmaker and an avid writer.
‘Storytelling has been in my DNA since childhood. I have vivid memories of watching Sunday teatime serials on television as an impressionable youngster. A dramatisation of Oliver Twist had a profound impact on me. In its day, Dickens’ novel brought reform to the poor law. This convinced me of the potential of the written word to change the world, and I decided then that I wanted to be a writer.
‘Subsequently, the novels of A J Cronin inspired me to become a doctor, especially The Citadel, which pre-empted the foundation of the National Health Service in the UK and beyond.
‘Medicine is a constant source of inspiration for my writing. General practice, in particular, is about being interested in people’s stories—they go hand in hand. The colourful cast of characters I have met throughout my career—colleagues and patients alike—breathe life into my writing.’
‘Storytelling has been in my DNA since childhood. I have vivid memories of watching Sunday teatime serials on television as an impressionable youngster. A dramatisation of Oliver Twist had a profound impact on me. In its day, Dickens’ novel brought reform to the poor law. This convinced me of the potential of the written word to change the world, and I decided then that I wanted to be a writer.
‘Subsequently, the novels of A J Cronin inspired me to become a doctor, especially The Citadel, which pre-empted the foundation of the National Health Service in the UK and beyond.
‘Medicine is a constant source of inspiration for my writing. General practice, in particular, is about being interested in people’s stories—they go hand in hand. The colourful cast of characters I have met throughout my career—colleagues and patients alike—breathe life into my writing.’
THREEPENCE ON THE CARPET
A sudden inheritance from a long-lost uncle could be the lifeline Tommy needs … or a Pandora’s box about to implode.
As a folksinger in the UK during the swinging sixties, life was a kaleidoscope of love, truth, and ambition for Tommy Trevelian—until an act of bitter betrayal destroyed everything. Now he’s back in his homeland of New Zealand, middle-aged, disillusioned, and destitute. The burnt-out musician still wants to save the world with his music, if he could only get his fellow Kiwis to turn off the rugby and listen.
Over in the UK, ten-year-old Ollie could use a lucky break. His mother is sick, his aunt is awful, and life just kinda … sucks. Until the day he goes to the beach with threepence in his pocket and stumbles upon a sight that might just alter his destiny forever—and Tommy’s, too.
David Whittet takes readers on an unforgettable journey that will delight readers who relish epic stories of love, courage and redemption.
Join Tommy and Ollie on their extraordinary adventures as they journey through the twists and turns of their connected lives. Together, they face challenges, share experiences, and create unforgettable memories. Dive in and experience their story!
Order your signed copy of Threepence on the Carpet today!
David’s latest book is an exhilarating adventure that spans three continents—from the electric pulse of London in the swinging sixties at the height of the peace movement to puppet shows on the beach and the breathtaking landscapes of present-day New Zealand.
Join Tommy and Ollie on their extraordinary adventures as they journey through the twists and turns of their connected lives. Together, they face challenges, share experiences, and create unforgettable memories. Dive in and experience their story!
Order your signed copy of Threepence on the Carpet today!
Join Tommy and Ollie on their extraordinary adventures as they journey through the twists and turns of their connected lives. Together, they face challenges, share experiences, and create unforgettable memories. Dive in and experience their story!
Order your signed copy of Threepence on the Carpet today!
THE ROAD TO MADHAPUR
Theo Malone, an idealistic New Zealand doctor, heads to the remote township of Madhapur, with high hopes of making a difference. Elisha, a rebellious Australian missionary’s daughter, is also bound for Madhapur. Unlike Theo, Elisha is angry and deeply resentful that her parents have uprooted her from her friends and her life in Australia.
Theo and Elisha’s worlds collide in a violent political uprising and tragedy propels their lives on an inescapable trajectory.
‘While The Road to Madhapur is a work of fiction, many critical events in the story are based on true-life incidents that occurred during my time in India. A leper colony plays a vital role in the story. For many, like Elisha in my novel, it was a place of overwhelming sorrow, despair and heartbreak. To Theo, it proved a near-impossible challenge that almost ended his career.
‘That leprosy mission was among the happiest places I have seen in my life. Beyond the immense suffering, I found love and fulfilment. Writing The Road to Madhapur has brought back many vivid memories. I will never forget the leper children’s faces. Despite a lifetime of suffering, they always had a smile for everyone. I hope I can capture something of their indomitable spirit in my writing and share their joy of life with my readers.’
Theo and Elisha’s worlds collide in a violent political uprising and tragedy propels their lives on an inescapable trajectory.
‘While The Road to Madhapur is a work of fiction, many critical events in the story are based on true-life incidents that occurred during my time in India. A leper colony plays a vital role in the story. For many, like Elisha in my novel, it was a place of overwhelming sorrow, despair and heartbreak. To Theo, it proved a near-impossible challenge that almost ended his career.
‘That leprosy mission was among the happiest places I have seen in my life. Beyond the immense suffering, I found love and fulfilment. Writing The Road to Madhapur has brought back many vivid memories. I will never forget the leper children’s faces. Despite a lifetime of suffering, they always had a smile for everyone. I hope I can capture something of their indomitable spirit in my writing and share their joy of life with my readers.’
From rural New Zealand to the plains of India, The Road to Madhapur takes readers on an unforgettable journey through love and grief to redemption and fulfilment.
Order your signed copy of The Road to Madhapur today.
Written by a family doctor, David Whittet’s heart-wrenching story will captivate lovers of true-to-life medical dramas.
Order you signed copy of The Road to Madhapur today.
Order you signed copy of The Road to Madhapur today.
GANG GIRL
The Gang stole her childhood.
She won’t let them claim the rest of her life.
She won’t let them claim the rest of her life.
Born into the Gang, Alicia is the daughter of a notorious mob leader. Trapped by an arranged marriage to her cousin, she longs to escape the misery of her childhood. A chance meeting with a business executive promises her a new life away from the Gang—but can her dream survive retaliation from the mob? Or will the ensuing blood feud destroy all hope of freedom?
David Whittet’s gripping story of love, betrayal and redemption is set on New Zealand’s spectacular West Coast. Gang Girl will capture the hearts of readers who love books featuring strong women determined to take charge of their own destiny.
The inspiration for David’s debut novel Gang Girl, the story of a young woman’s struggle to escape from the Gang, came to him during the twenty years he has spent as a family doctor in rural New Zealand communities.
Born into the Gang, Alicia is the daughter of a notorious mob leader. Trapped by an arranged marriage to her cousin, she longs to escape the misery of her childhood. A chance meeting with a business executive promises her a new life away from the Gang—but can her dream survive retaliation from the mob? Or will the ensuing blood feud destroy all hope of freedom?
David Whittet’s gripping story of love, betrayal and redemption is set on New Zealand’s spectacular West Coast. Gang Girl will capture the hearts of readers who love books featuring strong women determined to take charge of their own destiny.
Born into the Gang, Alicia is the daughter of a notorious mob leader. Trapped by an arranged marriage to her cousin, she longs to escape the misery of her childhood. A chance meeting with a business executive promises her a new life away from the Gang—but can her dream survive retaliation from the mob? Or will the ensuing blood feud destroy all hope of freedom?
David Whittet’s gripping story of love, betrayal and redemption is set on New Zealand’s spectacular West Coast. Gang Girl will capture the hearts of readers who love books featuring strong women determined to take charge of their own destiny.
GOLIATH AND THE GANG
Book Two in the Gang Girl series
Twenty-three years later, he’s the CEO of an industry-leading power company and still fighting the Godzone Gorillas—the Gang that kidnapped his mother.
Goliath and the Gang is the next heart wrenching novel in the Gang Girl series.
Aaron was just five years old when they took his mother away …
Twenty-three years later, he’s the CEO of an industry-leading power company and still fighting the Godzone Gorillas—the Gang that kidnapped his mother.
Goliath and the Gang is the next heart wrenching novel in the Gang Girl series.
Twenty-three years later, he’s the CEO of an industry-leading power company and still fighting the Godzone Gorillas—the Gang that kidnapped his mother.
Goliath and the Gang is the next heart wrenching novel in the Gang Girl series.
FUTURE PROJECTS
See what David has lined up for 2026 and beyond
Will this be the year that David's new film Hīkoi finally goes into production? Hīkoi is a passion project for David and was about to go into production when the Covid-19 pandemic struck. Despite the unwelcome delay, Hīkoi will remain as relevant as ever in a post Covid world.
David is currently working on three new books. Next up is The Road to Mumbai, which follows the journey of two beloved characters from The Road to Madhapur and they embark on a new chapter of their lives in Mumbai.
The long awaited final book in the Gang Girl series is taking shape and should be in bookshops in early 2027.
David is beyond excited to announce that he's working on a new thriller series, The Doctor with Knew Too Much. Inspired by completing a course on writing thrillers by Lee Child, he conceived the idea of an ex-army doctor whose life is constantly under threat and he’s perpetually on the run—the Jack Reacher of the medical world.
So, how did a humble GP in a remote, rural practice end up on a notorious gangster’s hit list? Find out when the first book, No Time to Heal, reaches bookshops tin late 2026!
David is currently working on three new books. Next up is The Road to Mumbai, which follows the journey of two beloved characters from The Road to Madhapur and they embark on a new chapter of their lives in Mumbai.
The long awaited final book in the Gang Girl series is taking shape and should be in bookshops in early 2027.
David is beyond excited to announce that he's working on a new thriller series, The Doctor with Knew Too Much. Inspired by completing a course on writing thrillers by Lee Child, he conceived the idea of an ex-army doctor whose life is constantly under threat and he’s perpetually on the run—the Jack Reacher of the medical world.
So, how did a humble GP in a remote, rural practice end up on a notorious gangster’s hit list? Find out when the first book, No Time to Heal, reaches bookshops tin late 2026!
HĪKOI
David's Next Film Project
After the success of Amiri & Aroha on the international film festival circuit, David is excited to be working on a new filmmaking project that is close to his heart.
Hīkoi is a hard-hitting drama dealing with child poverty. A burnt-out social worker takes risks to help a single mother escape from loan sharks. The inspiration for the film came from the hīkoi against child poverty in Auckland in September 2014, one of several real-life events incorporated into the story.
Child poverty remains a crucial issue in New Zealand. Hīkoi culminates with a recreation of the presentation of a petition with fifteen thousand signatures to the government, which took place outside parliament in Wellington on 20 May 2015.
David’s screenplay has received glowing reviews at the Emerging Screenwriters and the Table Read My Screenplay festivals. Armed with this feedback, David is currently negotiating with leading New Zealand production companies to bring the story to the screen. An enthusiastic producer described Hīkoi as ‘a Cathy Come Home for our times.’
Hīkoi is a hard-hitting drama dealing with child poverty. A burnt-out social worker takes risks to help a single mother escape from loan sharks. The inspiration for the film came from the hīkoi against child poverty in Auckland in September 2014, one of several real-life events incorporated into the story.
Child poverty remains a crucial issue in New Zealand. Hīkoi culminates with a recreation of the presentation of a petition with fifteen thousand signatures to the government, which took place outside parliament in Wellington on 20 May 2015.
David’s screenplay has received glowing reviews at the Emerging Screenwriters and the Table Read My Screenplay festivals. Armed with this feedback, David is currently negotiating with leading New Zealand production companies to bring the story to the screen. An enthusiastic producer described Hīkoi as ‘a Cathy Come Home for our times.’
THE DOCTOR WHO KNEW TOO MUCH
Medical school didn’t teach Dr Dominic Dreyfus how to deal with gang lords, nor did his time as an army doctor in the New Zealand Defence Force prepare him for the violent threats that forced him to flee his homeland …
Visit the Audacious Ink website to learn more about this exiting new series!
And don't miss the first book, No Time to Heal, when it hits bookshops in late 2026!
David has established a new publishing imprint, Audacious Ink, which will be the new home for The Doctor Who Knew To Much.
Visit the Audacious Ink website to learn more about this exiting new series!
And don't miss the first book, No Time to Heal, when it hits bookshops in late 2026!
Visit the Audacious Ink website to learn more about this exiting new series!
And don't miss the first book, No Time to Heal, when it hits bookshops in late 2026!
GODZONE AND THE GORILLAS
Many readers of Gang Girl took Alicia’s struggles to their hearts and were sorry to lose her so early in Goliath and the Gang.
David promises that Alicia will be back in Godzone and the Gorillas, the final novel in the trilogy, where her struggle to escape the Godzone Gorillas will reach a dramatic conclusion.
Mickey’s many admirers will be pleased to know that he also returns in Godzone and the Gorillas. While demoralised following his brutal de-patching from the Godzone Gorillas, his spirit remains alive. His mischievousness is still there, and Mickey plays a vital role in the denouement.
Read more about all of these stories on David’s Author Page and follow progress with Hīkoi on his Filmmaker Page:
Better still, sign up to David’s newsletter for exclusive previews, invitation to launch events and advance reader copies.
