The natural phenomenon of a recently born lake gradually vanishing and the out-back homestead and outstations of Australia contribute to Detective Inspector Bonaparte's newest case in highly atmospheric style. The disappearance of a lottery winner two years earlier, together with his win, the tension at the station, seven suspects -- and the winter heat, keep Bony, in his guise of horse breaker, probing and prying but never stonkered. A good new deal for a sturdy character.