Part of Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte, book 29
First published 1978
Detective Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte arrives at the remote Lake Frome in South Australia to investigate a series of mysterious deaths that have the local population on edge. The half-Aboriginal detective finds himself in harsh desert country where the lake's shifting waters and treacherous salt flats create an unforgiving landscape. Bonaparte must navigate the tensions between white settlers and Aboriginal communities while tracking a killer who seems to vanish without a trace across the vast outback terrain. As he pieces together clues that lead from isolated homesteads to ancient Aboriginal sites, Bonaparte discovers that the solution lies in understanding both the land's secrets and the complex relationships between those who call this desolate region home. The case tests his unique ability to bridge two worlds as he uncovers the truth behind the Lake Frome deaths.
Genres: australia, 20th-century, adventure, mystery, crime, detective
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, mystery-thriller
Setting: Lake Frome, South Australia
Period: 20th-century
160 pages · Pan Books