March 1948. Two months ago, Detective Harry Taylor survived an assassination attempt by a well-known Sydney criminal, orchestrated by the two most famous detectives in the CIB. His investigations led to their gaoling. It earned him the contempt of many in the police force, including the chief superintendent and those who benefited from their corruption. Harry could not remain in Sydney.
Promoted to detective sergeant, Harry was transferred to Wagga Wagga-a beautiful town in southern NSW-but there was no time to relax.
A boy from a fringe religious community on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River committed suicide.
The cult-led by a man known only as Grace, a former padre in the Scottish army-was established in India and composed mostly of British ex-pats. After a vision he was commanded by God to move his community to Wagga Wagga in preparation for Armageddon.
Members were vegetarian, had no surnames and swam nude in view of schools, churches and the public. There were stories of wild sex parties including children, as well as drug-fuelled midnight gatherings of satanic rituals, animal sacrifices and witchcraft.
Harry faces the bigotry, hysteria and racism in the town. Can he separate the truth from the rumours?
The cult attracted further suspicion when the decaying body of a man is found in a sandpit.
Who is involved? A cult member? Parishioners? Chinese gardeners? The police?
Harry calls on his colleagues from the forensics branch, his friend Father Ambrose and the few local police he could trust.
