In the bestselling tradition of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and Wonder. 'Sometimes you've got to show some mongrel. There's mongrel in you, little brother, more than you realise.' Everyone thinks they know what Jacob O'Leary can and can't do - and they're not shy about telling him either. But no one - not even Jacob - knows what he's truly capable of. And he's desperate for the chance to work it out for himself. When a shocking and mystifying crime sends his small country town reeling, and fingers start pointing at the newcomer, Jacob grabs the chance to get out in front of the pack and keep mob rule at bay. He's convinced that the police have accused the wrong guy; that the real villain is still out there. And he's determined to prove it - and himself - to everyone.