When a stockman is found murdered in a remote Australian town, Detective-Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte orchestrates his own arrest to infiltrate the local community and identify the killer. Bonaparte assumes the identity of a drifter to bypass the suspicion of the locals, using his unique position as a prisoner to observe the townspeople unnoticed. He faces the challenge of navigating the insular culture of the outback while tracking a ruthless adversary who remains at large. The narrative follows a traditional procedural structure, emphasizing the protagonist's keen observation and psychological manipulation of his environment.

This work is recognized as a staple of the Australian detective genre, showcasing the author's signature blend of procedural mystery and regional atmosphere. Readers often highlight the ingenuity of the protagonist, Napoleon Bonaparte, whose methods contrast sharply with traditional police work. The setting serves as more than a backdrop, acting as a functional element that dictates the pace and constraints of the investigation. The narrative structure reflects the mid-century style of crime fiction, prioritizing character study and environmental detail over high-octane thrills. It remains a notable example of how the author utilized his deep knowledge of the outback to craft complex, grounded mysteries.