When her mother dies from a snake bite, Comity Pinny's life in the middle of the Australian outback changes for ever. Her father, Herbert, retreats into his work trasmitting telegrams, abandoning Comity when she needs him most. Comity turns to Fred, the young Aboriginal yard boy and he becomes her only friend. But then a new assistant arrives who delights in playing cruel games. Soon Comity struggles to hold things together as events begin to spiral dangerously out of control. A gripping tale with an explosive climax from award-winning storyteller, Geraldine McCaughrean.

"Geraldine McCaughrean is an awe-inspiring writer with a miraculous talent for bringing to life past times and faraway lands." - The Sunday Telegraph