It was supposed to be a routine inspection of Cabochon Incorporated's interests in Tasmania. However, when Ryan Matthews arrives at the Ravishing Ruby mine, he instead finds himself caged, surrounded by carnivorous marsupials and entwined in murder, kidnapping, drug dealing and fraud. Instead of being surrounded by lustrous red gemstones, his world becomes one of opium poppies, spilled blood and sacrificial pigeons. His wife, Andi, and his best friend, Brad, must come to his rescue, aided by a collection of characters and wild animals as diverse as the island itself as they uncover the criminal connections to both the mine and the local police.