Detective Inspector Stratton mysteries

When Kori Dirks returns to her idyllic childhood town in Northern Tasmania with her partner, life seems perfect. In the historic farming hub of Longford, they restore a heritage home, celebrate her promotion, and plan for their future. But when Kori is found dead, apparently by suicide, her death is both shocking and inexplicable. The community grieves but begins to move onuntil her partner, Renee, is discovered murdered beneath a disused rail bridge by Mill Dam. A cryptic poem left at the scene hints at a chilling pattern, but the motive behind Renee's death remains elusive. Detective Inspector Terry Stratton and his team arrive to investigate, uncovering grudges and buried secrets beneath Longford's tranquil exterior. As they piece together the fragments, a sinister pattern takes shape, and the killer strikes again. With more lives in peril and the safety of his team at risk, Stratton races to unravel the truth before the killer exacts their ultimate retribution.

In the series prequel, Commander Terry Stratton is like a fish out of water in his new role, stuck behind a desk. He yearns for the hands-on action of solving crimes rather than the tedium of wading through crime statistic reports.When fresh evidence is discovered, the Deputy Commissioner must reopen an investigation into the murder of a young man from a wealthy family. She asks Stratton to personally investigate, and he jumps at the chance even though it is her work he will be scrutinising.The case takes Stratton to Oatlands, one of Tasmania's most historic and picturesque towns. The more he learns about the town and its people, the more he doubts the findings of the original investigation. A pattern takes shape and unlikely suspects emerge - but not before Stratton incurs the wrath of his nemesis, Assistant Commissioner Morton.The questions mount, tensions escalate, and Stratton's career changes forever.