Ian Rooney

When a young woman’s body is found floating in Lake Wendouree, Dr Blake can’t help digging deeper into the mystery. There is more to the case than meets the eye. Blake is certain the deceased girl - a runaway from the local reform school - was dead before she was dumped in the water. The autopsy proves his theory but finding the killer is more complicated.

On the eve of Anzac Day, Dr Blake bumps into a former British Army colleague at the police station, Major Derek Alderton. Alderton is in town, trying to track down two army deserters believed to be hiding out in the area. But before they can reminisce, Dr Blake is called to the morgue where the body of the attendant, Bert Prentice, lies with shocking injuries in a pool of blood.

Blake returns from China, and finds himself thrown straight into a murder investigation: the newly elected Mayor of Ballarat is found dead at the bottom of the Town Hall steps. But threads of betrayal, adultery and double dealing lead him to some high and low places, and Jean - kept in the dark - worries for him.

Pedestrians walk Lydiard Street on a busy Saturday night and are horrified to discover a man has fallen from the Colonists’ Club and landed on the footpath in front of them. After surveying the balcony Blake realises the railing is too high for this ‘fall’ to be an accident. Meanwhile Lawson is caught up in a hit and run involving one of his officers. The only clue linking both incidents is a pouch of brandless tobacco.

Jacqueline Maddern collapses after a charity performance at the Colonist’s Club and Blake suspects she’s been poisoned. He suggests to Munro that the Club be locked down to prevent the murderer leaving. Munro obliges but includes Blake in the lock-down. Blake has to find the killer with little to help him but his wits and his knowledge of human nature.