The Dying Trade

Cliff Hardy is a P. I. in Sydney.  He has been asked by millionaire Bryn Gutteridge to investigate threatening notes that have been received by his sister, Susan.  The doctor looking after Susan doesn't want Hardy investigating her situation, and later that evening Bryn's servant is shot and killed.  Bryn's step-mother now wants Hardy to work for her, while Bryn's fires him.

Ailsa Sleeman is convinced that the doctor caring for her step-daughter is behind the death of her husband, and the murder of Bryn's man.  She asks for protection and an investigation into the doctor.

Unfortunately Hardy can't give her the protection she needs.  She is tortured before he can get to her.  With the help of the cops, Hardy releases Susan from the clinic where she was being kept.  However, Hardy feels that the case is not closed; there is more to investigate.

As he begins to investigate further, he discovers that Susan has been kidnapped.  He knows that her brother is involved.  However, Bryn is killed in an automobile accident, but not before Hardy realises that there is more to the case than just Bryn.

Hardy is arrested on vague charges.  Fortunately Susan's lawyer gets him out.  It is at this time that Hardy finds out that Susan has been run down by a red VW, it appears to be the one that has played an integral part in the story to this point.

As author Peter Corris brings his the novel to a conclusion, Hardy describes to Ailsa how he was able to figure out the mystery.  Peter Corris is a new author to me.  I enjoy a good murder mystery, and this was one, but it contained too much gratuitous violence for my taste.