The Dunbar Case

In Australian author Corris’s intriguing well-paced 32nd novel featuring Sydney PI Cliff Hardy (after 2012’s Comeback), the investigator tries to untangle a mystery surrounding the sinking of the luxury ship Dunbar in 1857. Academic Henry Wakefield enlists Cliff’s help with researching a previously unknown Dunbar survivor, William Dalgarno Twizell, whose only living descendant, great-grandson John Dalgarno Twizell, is in jail. John’s a rough character, and the even rougher family headed by mobster Jobe Tanner has it in for him, so when Cliff makes contact with John, the Tanners make contact with Cliff. At issue are valuable historical documents and a hidden fortune, and there are some who are willing to kill for these treasures. Cliff, despite a quadruple bypass and a permanent limp, remains tough enough and savvy enough to give as good as he gets, while complications and the body count both mount. (Oct.)