Based on a true story...

At midnight on 28 December 1864, in the Australian gold-mining town of Daylesford, young newly-wed Maggie Stuart lies dead in her own blood. Rumour and xenophobia drive speculation over the identity of her killer, and when a suspect is apprehended, police incompetence and defence counsel negligence bring yet more distortion to the wheels of justice.

In this climate of prejudice and ineptitude, it seems only Detective Otto Berliner is able to keep an objective mind and recognise that something is terribly wrong. He intends to put matters right, though all the odds are against him.

PRAISE FOR GREG PYERS

'Pyers has mined a rich vein of local history for this novel. His recreation of daily life in the early township is evocative, from the toils of the miners to the bountiful public houses of varying repute.' The Weekend Australian

'An exploration of character and the seedy underbelly of a small town. The wide cast of Daylesford locals introduced in the lead-up to the discovery of the murder is reminiscent of The Luminaries.' Books + Publishing