If any man was ever born to be murdered, it was William Lush, a hated drunk who disappeared after beating his wife to death. Plenty of men had the opportunity to murder Lush, some the means, none the motive. Jill Madden, his pretty step-daughter, had all three. When Lush disappears, Inspector Bonaparte must look for a body, and the murderer, before the Darling River rises to flood level..