An Insulated Murder

Book excerpt: Two people from a small town are found dead from what seem nonsuspicious circumstances. One thought to be a suicide and the other a result from a heart attack. The deaths are a few days apart and, to the local constabulary, seem unrelated. However, after further forensic investigation, both deaths are declared as murder. Nestled amongst green rolling hills and stately Red Gums lies Jacaranda Estate, a well-established family business of vegetable growers dependent on the nearby town for its labourers and owned by the Walshe family. Their secretary Donna finds her employer, Cordelia Walshe dead at her desk from a suspected heart attack. A few days earlier, Shaun OBrien; the Walshes truck driver is found by his cleaner hanging in his garage, the cause an apparent suicide. Detective Inspector Daniels is seconded to the cases and throughout his investigation; family jealousy, deception, half-truths, and an insulated community thwart him. Daniels eventually unravels a trail of conspiracy, debt and murder. Suddenly the investigation becomes personal and Daniels is caught up in a web of retribution that may cost him a friendship.