The world is in economic meltdown but a mining town of Hopetoun, Western Australia, is booming.

With the town's population exploding, it's easy enough to hide a crime - and a dirty past.

Disgraced police-service golden boy DSC Cato Kwong is doing time investigating roadkill with the Stock Squad.  But when the ocean throws up a human torso onto the shores of Hopetoun, Cato is called in from the cold.

Cato faces powerful opposition in the town when his investigation lifts the lid on the exploitation of migrant workers.  The stakes are raised higher when the Chinese whispers started by Cato disturb an even darker criminal mind.

'A gripping read.  So real I had to wipe the blood off my fingertips.'
- Dave Warner

'A deadly debut, ambitious and multi-layered.  A very promising start to a new career.'
- Allan Guthrie

Shortlisted, 2010 UK Crime Writers Association Debut Dagger Award