This is a work of fiction. All the characters are fictional with no actual connection to any living person. Like most works of fiction, it is set within the background of the real world, but any reference to an actual place or entity is purely for this purpose and readers must not assume or believe that any part of this story has any basis in reality.

First published in 2022

Copyright © Matthew Spencer 2022

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publisher. The Australian Copyright Act 1968 (the Act) allows a maximum of one chapter or 10 per cent of this book, whichever is the greater, to be photocopied by any educational institution for its educational purposes provided that the educational institution (or body that administers it) has given a remuneration notice to the Copyright Agency (Australia) under the Act.

Allen & Unwin

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National Library of Australia logo: A catalogue record for this book is available from the National Library of Australia

ISBN 978 1 76106 618 4

eISBN 978 1 76106 438 8

Set by Midland Typesetters, Australia

Cover design: Luke Causby/Blue Cork

Cover photographs: Luke Causby (river scene); Ghost/Adobe Stock (moon)