Dr Vince Hanrahan is still in exile down on Victoria’s southwest coast, serving out his time before returning to his wife and family and reclaiming his status as a big shot metro OBY/GYN. Well, that’s the plan. If he keeps out of trouble.

But trouble has a way of finding Vince. When his only brother commits suicide on the family farm, it looks like drought and isolation have claimed another victim. Or was there another reason? Then there is a local murder and Vince wonders if the two deaths are connected. Driven by guilt about neglecting his brother, he decides he must find out. The quest leads him to the gates of his alma mater, St Bernard’s College in Ballarat.

Meanwhile, back in the labour ward, Vince encounters another near catastrophe and saves the day with a risky delivery—a high wire act with no safety net—and his career is threatened. Again.

Personally and professionally, he’s facing oblivion. Maybe DC Elena Genovesi can help on both fronts.

Bill Bateman

Books