In Treasure & Dirt Chris Hammer has given us another complex outback thriller set in northern New South Wales near the Queensland border. The setting for the book including the sand and especially the heat, play an important role in this story about the investigation of the death of Jonas McGee, a local miner. Near the outback settlement of Finnegan's Gap the body of the opal miner is found at the bottom of the mine shaft. Not only is he dead but he has been crucified.
Detective Sergeant Ivan Lucic arrives in the town from Sydney to investigate with the assistance of Detective Constable Nell Buchannan who has travelled to the area from Bourke. Two members of the forensic team also arrive on the plane from Sydney with Ivan Lucic. However one member of the team remained in Sydney.
Detective Inspector Morris Montifore has been ordered to remain in Sydney to answer charges brought by Professional Standards following a case that he and Ivan had recently successfully solved. It soon becomes obvious that Ivan may also be under suspicion. Meanwhile there is a case to be solved.
This is not the first crime to have been investigated by Sydney police at Finnegan's Gap. Morris Montifore and another detective had investigated the suspected murder of a young man, associated with a religious sect, fifteen years earlier but were recalled before investigations were concluded.
During their investigations, Ivan and Nell become aware of questionable activities occurring at large mining complexes in the area. It is soon evident that there are many secrets from the past which may affect the investigation. Ivan and Nell meet a range of eccentric characters, some involved in other crimes, but their main concern is solving McGee's murder.
There are many twists and turns as the investigators attempt to unravel what is really happening in the community. Another great Australian crime novel by Chris Hammer.
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