Emily Barnes is relieved when her eighteen-year-old son Zach moves out. At last, she can finally focus on her career while he spreads his wings. But Zach's in trouble: to help with the family finances, he has been moonlighting for local thugs. Worse, he's botched a job and his boss now wants his pound of flesh. Literally.

Desperate, Emily negotiates to complete Zach's final job herself. The terms are clear: in three days, deliver a stolen car to Gunpowder Creek, a ghost town 900 kilometres deep into the West Australian outback. Miss the deadline and Zach dies. And whatever happens, don't open the boot ...

Set across the sprawling West Australian outback, this cat-and-mouse thriller will appeal to readers of Adrian McKinty and Will Dean.