If any man was ever born to be murdered, that man was William Lush ? a hated drunk, who disappeared after beating his wife to death. Plenty of men had the opportunity to murder Lush, some had the means, none the motive ? even considering that all who knew Lush detested him. Jill Madden, his pretty step-daughter, had all three. But first, Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte has to be sure Lush is really dead. With the Darling River rising to flood levels, the incomparable investigator must look for a body ? and if he finds that, then a murderer as well.