'The godfather of Australian crime fiction.' Cliff Hardy always finds it hard to turn down a job, but in the case of Paula Wilberforce he should have followed his instincts. Against his better judgement, he becomes involved in a wealthy family's disputes, where old rivalries and hatreds come to the surface and murder is the result. His gun is stolen, and when he finds himself wanted in relation to a shooting, Hardy must find the murderer before he strikes again.