A fascinating historical mystery by Sulari Gentill, author of #1 LibraryReads pick The Woman in the Library
Shortlisted for the Davitt Award for Best Adult Novel for 2015
Shortlisted for the Ned Kelly Award for Best Crime Novel 2015
Ever since the death of their wealthy, land-owning father a decade prior, Rowland Sinclair and his elder brother, Wil, have avoided any discussion of the event ever since—keeping secret that Sinclair senior was murdered... And the possible involvement of the teenage Rowly and his brother's intervention.
But now the finger of blame is pointing squarely at Rowly, the Sinclair black sheep, a man careless of what society and the authorities think of him. So he and the trio of artist friends who live in his Sydney suburban mansion, and generally have his back, avail themselves of a racing green Gypsy Moth plane (Rowland is a pioneer in air travel) and a yellow Mercedes sports car (another frightening mode of transport) to arrive in New South Wales' Southern Tablelands, bent on clearing Rowly's name.
With cameo appearances from historical figures—Bob Menzies in the Sinclair kitchen, Edna Walling in the garden, and Kate Leigh grinning lasciviously at Rowly in a jailhouse crowd—and a real sense of fun contrasting with the quite genuine tension, this is historical crime for those in the know and those who can barely remember what happened last weekend, a story of family secrets and fraternal loyalty.
A terrific addition to the critically acclaimed Rowland Sinclair WWII Mysteries and sure to appeal to Rhys Bowen, Kerry Greenwood, and Jacqueline Winspear, this historical novel features a bohemian amateur sleuth, a wry sense of humor, and a crime that will baffle even the most ardent of puzzle lovers.
