Cirrus@Austlit

'When seasoned journalist Harry Dunkley is slipped a compromising photograph of a federal MP one frosty Canberra morning, he knows he is onto something big. But the deeper Harry investigates, the more he realises that this photograph is merely the hint of a larger conspiracy at work, and a secret its guardians are willing to kill to protect.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Australia's own House of Cards.

'Vengeance and redemption in the corridors of power are served up in this explosive conclusion to the thrilling political trilogy that began with The Marmalade Files

'At the end of The Mandarin Code, beloved yet dishevelled newshound Harry Dunkley was in disgrace, having failed to reveal the existence of The Alliance, a sinister cabal of mandarins pulling the strings of power in Canberra. But new purpose is in the air. As the Coalition government looks increasingly disastrous, a revived Dunkley, aided by an unlikely group of allies, is emboldened to take on resurrected Labor powerhouse Catriona Bailey (who is in no way based on Kevin Rudd) and Sir Jack Webster, Defence Secretary, respected statesman and member of The Alliance. Finally, in The Shadow Game, Dunkley will find personal redemption, and the death of analyst Kimberley Gordon (in The Marmalade Files) will be avenged.' (Publication summary)

'Tie-in to the six-part political thriller coming soon to Foxtel based on THE MARMALADE FILES and THE MANDARIN CODE. Two books in one: THE MARMALADE FILES When seasoned newshound Harry Dunkley is slipped a compromising photograph one frosty Canberra dawn, he knows he's onto something big. In pursuit of the scoop, Dunkley must negotiate the deadly corridors of power where the minority Toohey Government hangs by a thread - its stricken Foreign Minister on life support, her heart maintained by a single drive: revenge. And all about rabid Opposition senators, union thugs and simpering TV anchors ready to pounce. From the teahouses of Beijing to the beaches of Bali, from the marbled halls of Washington to the basements of the bureaucracy, Dunkley's quest takes him ever closer to the truth - and ever deeper into a lethal political game. THE MANDARIN CODE A body pulled from the murky waters of Lake Burley Griffin links Canberra, Beijing and Washington in a titanic struggle where war is just a mouse click away. Veteran reporter Harry Dunkley is chasing the scoop of his career, hunting for his best friend's killer. Delving into a cyber world where there are no secrets, he stumbles into the purview of the mandarins who wield real power - and who'll stop at nothing to retain it.' (Publication summary)

'Politics peeled bare. The second darkly satirical thriller from the authors of The Marmalade Files. POLITICS JUST GOT DEADLY. A body pulled from the murky waters of Lake Burley Griffin links Canberra, Beijing and Washington in a titanic struggle where war is just a mouse click away. Veteran reporter Harry Dunkley is chasing the scoop of his career, hunting for his best friend's killer. Navigating treacherous political waters where a desperate minority government edges ever closer to disaster, he delves into a cyber world where there are no secrets. Friendship and loyalty give way to betrayal and revenge as Dunkley stumbles into the sights of the mandarins who wield real power - and who'll stop at nothing to retain it. Political insiders Steve Lewis and Chris Uhlmann bring biting wit and behind-the-headlines insights to this sharply observed sequel to the bestselling The Marmalade Files, once again lifting the veil on the lust and lies that stain the corridors of power.' (Publication summary)

'An imaginative romp through the dark underbelly of politics by two veteran Canberra insiders. When seasoned newshound Harry Dunkley is slipped a compromising photograph one frosty Canberra dawn he knows he′s onto something big. In pursuit of the scoop, Dunkley must negotiate the deadly corridors of power where the minority Toohey Government hangs by a thread - its stricken Foreign Minister on life support, her heart maintained by a single thought. Revenge.

Rabid Rottweilers prowl in the guise of Opposition senators, union thugs wage class warfare, TV anchors simper and fawn ... and loyalty and decency have long since given way to compromise and treachery. From the teahouses of Beijing to the beaches of Bali, from the marbled halls of Washington to the basements of the bureaucracy, Dunkley′s quest takes him ever closer to the truth - and ever deeper into a lethal political game.' Source: http://www.harpercollins.com.au (Sighted 04/07/2012).