How far can a man fall before he breaks into so many pieces that he cannot, should not ever get up again? John Bailey finds himself facing this exact question after answering an early morning plea from his editor to take the lead on a story involving a dead woman, Catherine Chamberlain, found in her luxurious Sydney apartment. This case is so special it draws the attention of the NSW Police Commissioner who wants it wrapped up quickly.

Bailey does what he does best, pokes around and digs through muck. He was a leading investigative crime journalist 10 years ago. He isn’t who he used to be. His experiences as a war correspondent in the Middle East changed everything. Taken hostage and tortured, his world shifted on its axis. What he uncovers could blow the lid off the city and put him in even greater danger than he was in when he was in Fallujah.

With the help of his ex-girlfriend, Detective Sharon Dexter, Bailey ends up at a fundraising dinner for the preselection announcement of Police Commissioner David Davis. Turns out the dead girl was not only known to Davis but was also a high-end call girl. The problem for Bailey is he is turning over stones that some people don’t want turned.

A wonderful, engaging thriller, this book will draw you into the multiple threads of the web that is tied around Bailey and his story and tangle you right up until the end. Tim Ayliffe has created a character who is likeable and detestable in equal parts and readers will not fail to enjoy the ride from start to finish.

Reviewed by David Johnson