A small town.
A closely guarded secret, stretching back decades.
And blood in the water.

A body has washed up in an irrigation canal, the artery running through Yuwonderie, a man-made paradise on the border of the Outback. Stabbed through the heart, electrocuted and dumped under cover of night, there is no doubt that detectives Ivan Lucic and Nell Buchanan are dealing with a vicious homicide.

The victim is Athol Hasluck, member of one of the seven dynasties who have controlled every slice of bountiful land in this modern-day Eden for generations.

But this is not an isolated incident. Someone is targeting the landed aristocracy of this quiet paradise in the desert. Secrets stretching back decades are rising to the surface at last - but the question remains, who stands to gain most from their demise?

Can Ivan and Nell track down a killer before the guilt at the heart of these seven families takes the entire town down with it?


Praise for Chris Hammer:

'A masterful, stunning thriller. A twisting mystery epic in scale yet intricate in detail. Irresistible.'
Chris Whitaker

'I doubt I'll read a better novel this year.'
The Times

'Utterly brilliant, a darkly simmering mystery.'
Dervla McTiernan

'My favourite Australian detective is Nell Buchanan.'
Ann Cleeves

'Hammer is a great writer - a leader in Australian noir'
Michael Connelly

'Stunning - a page-turner which stays long in the memory'
Sunday Times

[wildfire logo]
£9.99