How did a simple car accident suddenly become a murder? The answer will bring Cliff Hardy into contact with some of the seediest men in Sydney, in his 12th case.

Everybody liked Barnes Todd: ex-Korean War veteran, slightly dishonest businessman, good drinking buddy. When he was wiped out in a car south of Sydney, people were lining up to say how sorry they were. Head of the line was Todd's widow Felicia, closely followed by his business and army cronies. So how did a simple car accident suddenly become a murder? Cliff Hardy hadn't a clue, but business in the private eye game was slow, so he agreed to try and find out. And quickly came into contact with a lot of less-than-lovely people—especially the enigmatic Kevin O'Fearna, known as O'Fear.

Peter Corris is best known as the godfather of Australian crime fiction and the author of Cliff Hardy detective stories. He is also the author of A Round of Golf: 18 Holes with Peter Corris and the coauthor of Fred Hollows: An Autobiography.