Allen Robson

A man has been murdered in the normally peaceful preserves of the upper Hunter Valley of New south Wales, north of Sydney. The victim is a member of one of the wealthiest farming dynasties in the state, and his broken and battered body lies in the grounds of the family estate. Inspector Mike Blakely arrives from Hunter District Headquarters in Newcastle to investigate, a fact not greatly appreciated by some of the locals. Predominant among these is the local police chief, a man with whom Blakely is forced to resume what has always been a rather rocky relationship.

As soon as Blakely opens inquiries suspects begin to appear, but this doesn't mean the case will be easy to solve. On the contrary, as it proceeds and information is gathered, it seems to become more and more impenetrable. Then as it begins to spin out of control, Blakely can't help wondering whether he's looking at things the right way or whether something else is at play here. Something deep and dark; something that is reaching out for Blakley as well, threatening to drag him down, pulling him into one of the most dangerous cases he has ever known. ... Murder awaits!