The Doctor Blake Mysteries

When a travelling salesman dies in a single car accident on a quiet country road, Chief Superintendent Lawson labels it a drink driving case. But when Constable Parks reveals the corpse’s face was blue, Dr Blake is intrigued. Although the victim’s clothes reek of alcohol, Blake concludes that the salesman was not drunk and certainly died before the crash. But how? And why is the face blue?

When a delirious prisoner on death row tells Dr Blake he is innocent of the police shooting for which he is soon to hang, Blake is stunned – and believes him. But no-one else seems interested in uncovering the truth. Recidivist criminal Sean McBride is accused of shooting a policeman, Clive Cooper. Sealing his fate on death row, Sean originally pleaded guilty to the crime and refused to defend himself in court.

When the Begonia Festival’s head judge is found incinerated in his own glasshouse, all eyes turn to two feuding contestants. An airmail letter arrives from Singapore for Dr Blake, giving him hope about finding his missing wife and daughter whom he hasn’t seen for 17 years.

The death of a migrant factory foreman initially looks like an industrial accident. Dr Blake digs deeper, revealing a hideous string of crimes and the ugly side of post war Australia. Meanwhile, Jean receives a marriage proposal.