Bony and the Kelly Gang

Cork Valley, tucked away in the mountains of New South Wales, is inhabited by a self-sufficient, lusty Irish community. For a hundred and fifty years they have stoutly maintained their independence from the government, excise laws and the homicide squad. The valley provides a new and exciting terrain for Australia's famous half-caste detective, Napoleon Bonaparte, when he arrives to investigate the murder of Eric Torby.Bony hitch-hikes into this 'rabbit burrow' disguised as Nat Bonnay, horse-thief and gaolbird. Using patience, cunning and plenty of humour, he ferrets out the murderer but first he has to spend some time digging spuds, smuggling whisky across the mountains and devoting himself to the glorious memory of Ned Kelly, Australia's national hero.(from the book jacket)