Author(s): Malla Nunn

Crime Fiction

In the final book in this award-winning series, Emmanuel Cooper sits at his desk six days before Christmas, ready for his holiday. A call comes in: a respectable, white couple has been beaten and left for dead. The couple's teenage daughter identifies the attacker as Aaron Shabalala - the youngest son of Detective Constable Samuel Shabalala - Cooper's best friend and a man to whom he owes his life. The Detective Branch isn't interested in evidence that might contradict their star witness's story - especially so close to the holidays. Determined to ensure justice for Aaron, Cooper, Shabalala and their friend Dr Daniel Zweigman must hunt down the truth ...'Superlative.' Publishers Weekly, starred review 'Pitch-perfect. What makes Cooper such an interesting (and excellent) detective is his ability to straddle the divide that separates class, race and cultures. But it's a perilous balancing act. Nunn's achievement is to keep us caring about the consequences if Cooper loses his footing. Present Darkness manages the tension beautifully.' The Sydney Morning Herald