Yuwonderie’s seven founding families have lorded it over their district for a century, growing ever more rich and powerful. But now-in startling circumstances-one of their own is found dead in a ditch and homicide detectives Ivan Lucic and Nell Buchanan are sent to investigate. Could the murder be connected to the execution of the victim’s friend thirty years ago-another member of The Seven-or even to the long-forgotten story of a servant girl on the brink of the Great War? What are the secrets The Seven are so desperate to keep hidden? With the killer still on the loose and events spiralling out of control, the closer Ivan and Nell get to discovering the truth, the more dangerous their investigation becomes. Can they crack the case before more people die? The Seven is a compelling thriller filled with intrigue, emotional depth and an evocative sense of place-where nothing is ever quite what it seems. Chris Hammer, the acclaimed and bestselling author of the international bestsellers Scrublands, Treasure & Dirt and The Tilt, can take his place among the world’s finest crime writers. Praise for Chris Hammer: ‘Hammer has confirmed and underlined his reputation as numbering among the very best novelists in detective fiction.’ Sydney Morning Herald ‘Chris Hammer at the height of his powers … absolutely not to be missed!’ Hayley Scrivenor, author of Dirt Town on The Tilt ‘A darkly simmering mystery, gorgeously told … Utterly brilliant.’ Dervla McTiernan, author of The Ruin and The Murder Rule ‘It would be unfair to say Chris Hammer is at the top of the crime writing game. Chris Hammer IS the game. Full Tilt may be a better title, given the speed with which readers will devour Chris Hammer’s exceptional novel.’ Benjamin Stevenson, author of Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone ‘Like everything Chris Hammer writes, The Tilt is a rich, complex thriller, packed with detail and intrigue. There’s a reason why this guy is on my auto-read list!’ Christian White, author of The Nowhere Child ‘Chris Hammer is a great writer … a leader in Australian noir.’ Michael Connelly ‘If you haven’t read Hammer before, this is the perfect time to experience one of the best writers Australia has to offer. Rife with intrigue, murder, and small-town secrets, Treasure and Dirt is a spectacular thriller that delivers some unforgettable characters with twists and turns you won’t see coming. Hammer has raised the bar for Australian crime, and this is a must-read.’ Better Reading ‘Chris Hammer has excelled himself with Trust…a thriller strong on character development, social insights, ethical issues and dramatic action.’ Weekend Australian ‘The best Australian crime novel since Peter Temple’s The Broken Shore.’ The Times on Silver ‘Shimmers with heat from the sun and from the passions that drive a tortured tale of blood and loss.’ Val McDermid on Scrublands