"The same day that Emily Tempest is supposed to start as Aboriginal Community Police officer for her outback township, her old friend, Superintendent Tom MacGillivray, is hospitalized, and she finds herself working for an uptight, by-the-book new sergeant. Being allergic both to authority and to keeping her big mouth shut, Emily is immediately at odds with him. A death at the Green Swamp Well Roadhouse only complicates things, Sergeant Cockburn thinks it's a simple case of two old drunks and a hammer. Emily's not convinced. Add to the mix a Tibetan sculptor and a rash of unexplained illnesses, and Emily has a unique puzzle on her hands"-- Cover, p. 2.