Murder is an art . . . But can Miss Cocks and Ethel draw out the killer? The second novel in the bestselling Petticoat Police Mystery series, perfect for fans of Amanda Hampson and Richard Osman.
Adelaide, September 1917. Woman constables Kate Cocks and Ethel Bromley are back walking the beat. The city is unsettled. Winter won't leave. Soldiers are returning from the Front with broken bodies and troubled souls. And now a powerful board governor has been found dead in the Art Gallery - dumped beneath a scandalous nude painting that has attracted both pious outrage and record crowds.
When Ethel receives an anonymous tip, she's elated at being seconded to the Detective Branch. The murder goes to the heart of Adelaide's elite, where this society girl is in her element. Miss Cocks is left grappling with six o'clock swills, shadows in alleyways and a brutal assault on a schoolgirl. She needs Ethel to catch her killer, and quickly.
Alas, murder in Adelaide is never a simple affair . . .
Inspired by the true story of Australia's pioneering policewoman, Kate Cocks.
'Immersive, well-researched period detective fiction with a pioneering crime-fighting duo' THE AGE
'A captivating mix of history and invention, with an unforgettable real-life heroine at its heart' VIKKI WAKEFIELD
'Quite extraordinary' ABC THE BOOKSHELF
'Anderson skilfully blends truth and fiction. It touches the heart as well as the mind - while inspiring a desire to play history detective' THE CONVERSATION
'Both a charming mystery and a compelling insight into the women who dedicated their lives to justice despite history's lack of acknowledgment' INDAILY
'Vivid. Refreshing. Propulsive and engaging. These books are such fun' READINGS
'The perfect cosy crime. Thank goodness Kate and Ethel are back' MICHELLE PRAK
