A desperate escape from a criminal past triggers a high-stakes pursuit that forces the protagonist to confront the limits of his own morality. The narrative follows a man attempting to shed his former life, only to find that his previous associations and the law are closing in from all sides. Faced with limited resources and the constant threat of betrayal, he must navigate a landscape where trust is a liability. The story utilizes a taut, third-person perspective to emphasize the protagonist's isolation and the mounting pressure of his circumstances.

Steal Away is frequently noted for its lean, efficient prose style that mirrors the urgency of the protagonist's situation. The work is often cited as a prime example of the Australian crime genre, emphasizing character-driven tension over sensationalist action. Readers and critics alike have pointed to the author's ability to maintain a consistent sense of dread throughout the narrative. The book remains a significant entry in the author's bibliography, demonstrating a mastery of suspense that relies on atmosphere rather than complex plot mechanics.