Australian cop Hal Challis is dressed down by the boss for speaking out about police budget cuts. But in this sixth outing (after Blood Moon), Challis must also contend with a rapist in a police uniform, a home invasion that's a little too close to home, and a very clever female cat burglar who may or may not be planning something on Challis's patch. Meanwhile, at the Waterloo Police Station, Challis finds his officers have their own issues, in areas over which he has no authority. "Versatile and prolific, [Garry] Disher keeps this series fresh and again delivers a procedural with real authority."—Booklist