"There's a lot of guts, bravery and bravura packed into Emily's compact frame. Her understanding of life in the Outback, its people's idiosyncrasies and their deep-rooted culture serves as an informative travelogue. But it's her dogged determination to discover the killer of an old geologist that makes the book so enticing. Emily is an admirable addition to the list of female investigators on the international fiction scene."—USA Today

"Crisp, colorful prose distinguishes the outstanding second Emily Tempest investigation set in the Australian Outback…Hyland doesn’t spare his independent heroine some rough knocks. Readers who like their mysteries in exotic locales will hope this series has a long run. "—Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

"A hymn to the wit, courage, stark beauty and the power of dreaming of a unique people. One cannot help but be enriched by it."—Anne Perry

"Hyland’s second novel is better than his debut, which won Australia’s Ned Kelly Award for best first novel. The story's gritty nature echoes the tough life, harsh environment, and difficult living conditions of the setting, and each of the characters seems a perfect fit in the hot and dusty landscape, from Emily, who’s not afraid to get into a fight, to the rough and tumble prospectors. The suspenseful and well-paced story will appeal equally to readers already familiar with the series and those just getting to know the tough-as-nails Emily. She makes an excellent addition to the roster of international crime-fiction protagonists."—Booklist (Starred Review)