In this new collection of short stories, Cliff Hardy has his hands full of murder, embezzlement, corruption, and more. His punches and sparse-but-rough language help him untangle a divorce, investigate the killing of a drinking buddy, and take care of a nasty case of blackmail. Set in various seamy Sydney locations with no shortage of thugs, mid-morning beers, and crooked cops, these stories exemplify the life of this Australian hero—even as he struggles with moral dilemmas, sex, money, and a life dealing with scummy criminals.