tiger in the blood

An ancient Chinese wooden box, a conflicted young woman ... and a lost soul who vows to return from the grave.

The puzzling contents of an old Chinese box tell the story of a forgotten murder in nineteenth century outback Australia. The convicted murderer, Hok, was executed by hanging from the gallows of Brisbane’s notorious Boggo Road Gaol. On death row he vowed to return from the grave and avenge himself against those who lied to convict him. Haunted by Hok’s hungry ghost Eirene endeavours to find the truth behind the crime-who killed the baker and why? -and to set his soul free. Issues of race, identity and belonging reverberate in a mystery that begins in the old treaty port of Amoy in China and ends on the banks of the Brisbane River.