Hirsch returns to his rural outback beat for his fifth mystery in the international bestselling Paul Hirschhausen series

'Disher is the gold standard for rural noir' CHRIS HAMMER 'The equal of Joseph Wambaugh and James Lee Burke' THE TIMES 'A superb chronicler of cop culture' SUNDAY TIMES A DEADLY DROUGHT. A BROKEN TOWN. It's the worst drought in a generation, and the people of Senior Constable Paul Hirschhausen's vast outback beat are suffering. Foreclosures. Failing businesses. Petty quarrels that are spiralling out of control. So when a naive tourist runs into a ditch beyond the ruins of Mischance Creek, Hirsch is relieved to step away from Tiverton. But Annika Nordrum asks for more than just roadside assistance. Her father's body was found at the bottom of a mineshaft seven years ago - his death ruled an accident - and her mother hasn't been seen since. Can Hirsch close this cold case before the town reaches breaking point? From the multiple Ned Kelly Award-winning author and king of Australian crime comes the latest Paul Hirsch mystery, for readers of Jane Harper, Ian Rankin and Chris Hammer.

"PRAISE FOR THE AUTHOR 'A master storyteller" - Guardian

"A writer at the top of his game" - The Times

"A superb chronicler of cop culture" - Sunday Times