It’s an age-old problem without a clear solution: locals want to keep their slice of paradise to themselves and resent the influx of tourists.

But picturesque coastal towns like Kiama are a magnet for visitors and the community’s economy relies on their support.

So what happens when tensions between tourists and locals boil over and lives are destroyed?

It’s a question author James Dunbar explores in his latest novel Twisted River.

James will join fellow novelist Tim Ayliffe for an author talk at Kiama Library on November 7 to discuss his book about a couple whose dog sitter sets out to destroy their lives.

The book, while fictional, is based on a premise James has long considered after he and his partner, well-known author and journalist Sue Williams, bought a property in Kiama with the intention of one day retiring to the coastal town.

Although they still live in Sydney, James and Sue are frequent visitors to Kiama and find it a haven for writing.

“I spent a couple of weeks in Kiama, finishing my last book, Mole Creek, so I can vouch for the town's capacity for literary inspiration,” says James.

But he has also noticed “a slight three-way tension between the long-term locals, the tourists and the city-flight sea-changers” and this forms the basis of one of the strands of Twisted River.

A psychological thriller, with a couple of dead bodies and a lacing of dark humour, the novel explores the themes of revenge, trust and the impact of sea-changers with “a perceived sense of entitlement and superiority” on locals and the resentment this causes.

It’s a conundrum that is not unique to Kiama.

“Any small town with similar demographics will experience the occasional attitude adjustments,” says James. “In Twisted River this manifests as a local cop assuming these city slickers are demanding special treatment.”

James chose the setting for the book not only because of lived experience and his love for Kiama but because of the town’s growing popularity.

“Kiama was twice voted the best town in Australia, which made me think, even the best places have bad people in them - although only one of the baddies in my book is truly local,” says James.

Twisted River also explores “how easy it is to find yourself outside the information security fence that we build around ourselves in these days of online scams, trolling and identity theft”, another plot-twist based on personal experience.

“I was locked out of my bank account last month because I had ignored an email asking if I had made a ‘suspicious’ transaction, thinking it was spam,” explains James.

In the book the couple’s dog-sitting nemesis empties their bank account, cancels their credit cards and disappears with their car and beloved pooch.

“What happens if you need your bank to email or text you a code so you can reactivate your credit card, but you need the credit card so you can revive your cancelled phone account?” asks James. “Then you need a working phone so you can get back into your emails, how do you get the code?”

It’s a frustration James will discuss with local author Ryan Butta from 6-8pm at The Friends of Kiama Library author talk on November 7.

James, Tim and Ryan’s books are available for purchase and signing and tickets are $25 for Friends members and $30 for guests, which includes drinks and nibbles.

They can be purchased online, at the library, or by calling 02 4233 1133.