Tasmania is in trouble. While mainland Australia surges through the backwash of the GFC the island state is struggling. Political infighting, bureaucratic ineptitude and a lack of investment have curtailed progress. Too many people are lodging on 'Struggle Street'. D.I. John Mahoney knows this as well as anyone. Of more immediate concern to him is the brutal murder of a prominent business leader. The scale of public interest is high and the Serious Crimes Squad must make headway fast. As the investigation proceeds it becomes clear that whoever is behind the barbarity is sending a message to the whole community. Another homicide quickly follows and pressure mounts as they seek to unravel the trail of clues. As Mahoney deals with fissures in his personal life and generational change in the police force he must call on his full array of investigative skills to get a result. Praise for the D.I. Mahoney series This novel ticks all the boxes. It's clever, relevant, well-written and it has momentum. Brown has developed a tough, uncompromising character in Detective Inspector Mahoney. - Warren Brewer, Hobart Mercury
