Crime and courtroom drama meet island humour and romance in this award-winning debut novel.

When Thea Dari-Jones takes the job as Officer in Charge of the Thursday Island police station in Torres Strait, she has no idea that her desire to start anew and return to her mother's Islander roots will be the greatest challenge of her life.

Arriving with visions of enjoying a relaxed, idyllic island lifestyle; what she finds instead is a close-knit community divided by a brutal crime. But a coincidental meeting with Islander fisherman Jonah shows her a gentler side of life in the tripics.

As Thea investigates the tragedy, a series of surprising events lead her through the landscape and language of the locals, most of whom are convinced that maydh, or black magic, is responsible. As the case goes to trial, Thea has to choose between the life she's left behind and the unexpected ties of her new island home.

Winner 2012 Queensland Literary Awards Best Emerging Author