‘Kate Holden finds the epic thread in this crime and weaves a quintessential Australian story.’ —Chloe Hooper

‘A gripping account of our land, and our selves.’ —Tara June Winch

An epic true story of greed, power and a desire for legacy from an acclaimed Australian storyteller.

July 2014, a lonely road at twilight outside Croppa Creek, New South Wales: 80-year-old farmer Ian Turnbull takes out a .22 and shoots environmental officer Glen Turner in the back.

On one side, a farmer hoping to secure his family’s wealth on the richest agricultural soil in the country. On the other, his obsession: the government man trying to apply environmental laws. 

The brutal killing of Glen Turner splits open the story of our place on this land. Is our time on this soil a tale of tragedy or triumph – are we reaping what we’ve sown? Do we owe protection to the land, or does it owe us a living? And what happens when, in pursuit of a legacy, a man creates terrible consequences? 

Kate Holden brings her discerning eye to a gripping tale of law, land and inheritance. It is the story of Australia.

Erratum
Black Inc. alerts readers to an error on page 115 of the print edition: the line ‘Only one of the three properties on the day’s list was Turnbull’s’ should read ‘Only one of the three properties on the day’s list was Turner’s’. Any implication that Glen Turner was instructed to attend a property owned by Ian Turnbull on 29 July 2014 is unintentional.