'The godfather of Australian crime fiction.' Newcastle is a stretch for Cliff Hardy from Sydney's mean streets, and following up the mystery of Oscar Bach's death means he has to cover some unfamiliar and dangerous ground. Bach's death was classified as another tragic statistic from the Newcastle earthquake - but how could he have been seen alive five minutes afterwards? The quiet and unassuming Oscar was not all he seemed, and several people want to prevent Hardy from probing into his past. However, he finds support, and more, from policewoman Glen Withers and together they attempt to uncover the truth.