Two murders in the same family take place, 20 years apart, in a Sydney community. Scobie Malone remembers the long-unsolved murder when he is called upon to investigate the new one, but there are complications. This is the sixth book in the Scobie Malone series, by award-winning author Jon Cleary.

In 1966 Sir Walter Springfellow, head of Australian intelligence, vanished mysteriously and without a trace.

As a young constable, Scobie Malone investigated the disappearance. Years later, some bones are found up hills which are presumed to be Sir Walter’s, and Detective Inspector Malone finds himself back on the case.

His first task is to break the news to Venetia Springfellow, Sir Walter’s glamorous widow, whose ruthless ambition has made the Springfellow Corporation a hugely successful company. Then comes news that there has been another death in the family, and one of the Springfellows is to be charged with murder.