Cirrus@Austlit

'Scobie Lawson had never gone looking for trouble; if he had been given to taking care of pets, he would have been sur- rounded by doves, vultures, and other emblems of what now passes for peace. But even abroad he had been unable to pursue the even tenor of everyone else's way. He had been clunked on the head by New York cops for inciting a riot at the Polo Grounds by unwisely rooting for the Dodgers; had been thrown on his back by a Paris gendarme whose Gallic wit hadn't appreciated the humour in being bowled over by a bicycle and he had been roughly handled by three London bobbies, who had at the same time managed to retain their traditional politeness towards overseas visitors, even towards one who, inebriated and unclothed, had just been found bathing under the fountains in Trafalgar Square. Now, Scobie was on his way home to Cawndilla, where there was only one policeman and he was a friend of the family, if not of Scobie. If trouble had to come, and Scobie was resigned to it, then it was better that it came close to home, where it was easier to raise bail.'

Source: First Instalment, Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday 13 February 1954, p.12

'From the award-winning Australian author Jon Cleary comes the fourth book featuring Sydney homicide detective, Scobie Malone.

It is bicentenary year and Australia is having the party of a lifetime. Detective Inspector Scobie Malone would far rather be out on Sydney Harbour with his family, watching the fun. Instead he is on duty, investigating the murder of an aide to President Timori.' (Publication summary)

'Two murders in the same family take place, 20 years apart, in a Sydney community. Scobie Malone remembers the long-unsolved murder when he is called upon to investigate the new one, but there are complications. This is the sixth book in the Scobie Malone series, by award-winning author Jon Cleary.

'In 1966 Sir Walter Springfellow, head of Australian intelligence, vanished mysteriously and without a trace.

'As a young constable, Scobie Malone investigated the disappearance. Years later, some bones are found up hills which are presumed to be Sir Walter’s, and Detective Inspector Malone finds himself back on the case.

'His first task is to break the news to Venetia Springfellow, Sir Walter’s glamorous widow, whose ruthless ambition has made the Springfellow Corporation a hugely successful company. Then comes news that there has been another death in the family, and one of the Springfellows is to be charged with murder.'(Publication summary)

'In the gay community of Sydney, where "gay bashings" are a daily occurrence, someone has taken the law into their own hands and is eliminating the culprits. Detective Scobie Malone realizes that he is up against an intelligent, highly dangerous killer - both elusive and deadly.' (Publication summary)

'Award-winning writer Jon Cleary’s new novel featuring the popular detective Scobie Malone, in which he reveals a corrupt and ruthless conspiracy surrounding the Olympics.

'As Sydney prepares for its grand role as host of the next Olympic Games, Scobie Malone is confronted with solving a scam that does nothing for the city’s image. Lurking beneath a facade of respectability, illicit deals are being struck and money from Hong Kong is being banked in large quantities. But whose money is it, and where is it really from?
'The people responsible will eliminate anyone who is a potential security risk: students and businessmen are being publicly, and privately, executed – with the same sinister, systematic style. Meanwhile Scobie’s investigation is frustrated at every turn by a wall of silence as vast as the Great Wall of China, making progress impossible… until he finds the cracks which will lead him to the unexpected truth.' (Publication summary)