The third novel with Detective Inspector Hal Challis and Sergeant Ellen Destry, from Australia's King of Crime

'A master storyteller' - GUARDIAN 'A superb chronicler of cop culture' - SUNDAY TIMES 'The equal of Joseph Wambaugh and James Lee Burke' - THE TIMES A MOTHER'S SECRETS CAN BE DEADLY Winter is closing in on the Mornington Peninsula and the coastal community of Waterloo is looking for ways to keep warm. But things start to heat up for Detective Inspector Hal Challis when Janine McQuarrie is shot in a quiet country lane while her terrified daughter watches from the car. As the compromising details of the McQuarries' personal lives come to light, Challis and Detective Sergeant Ellen Destry are faced with another complication: the victim's father-in-law, who is also their superintendent. It seems everyone has something to hide this winter. Can the truth be uncovered before the killer strikes again? From the multiple Ned Kelly Award-winning author of Consolation and Sanctuary comes the third Hal Challis investigation, for readers of Jane Harper, Ian Rankin and Chris Hammer.

"Gritty [and] well-plotted" - Publishers Weekly

"Disher is one of the most popular mystery writers in Australia, and he deserves to be. His compelling brand of procedural has appeal for readers who want investigative detail, but it also will satisfy the character-driven crowd as well as those looking for atmosphere above all else" - Booklist

"Disher's stories are tough-minded, character-rich, and strong on social conscience" - Philadelphia Inquirer

"Crisp plotting and strong emphasis on character" - Baltimore Sun