Our Price: AUD$27.95 (USD$)* ISBN: 978-1-921456-17-6 Subject: Crime/Adult Thriller Publication Date: April 2009

Synopsis
In steamy, tropical Darwin, a cop is brutally slain - at Police headquarters, right under the noses of his colleagues! The equally brutal killing of select members of Darwin's legal fraternity leaves investigating officers completely baffled.

Is there a serial killer at large in the community?

How are these killings related?

These are questions Russell Foley, lead homicide investigator on the case, struggles with whilst facing his own personal demons brought about by a failed marriage.

Sam Rose, private investigator, former police detective and one time best friend of Russell Foley, is hired by a Supreme Court judge to covertly investigate the killings. Initially aided by crusty old journalist, Paddy O'Reily, O'Reily's subsequent murder, the kidnapping of his new found love, and his ongoing conflict with his former partner, has Rose in a headlong race against time to not only save his own life, but also the lives of those he loves.

About The Author
Gary Gregor is a Vietnam Veteran and a retired Northern Territory police officer. He has had a number of short stories and articles published in Australian anthologies and travel magazines. A voracious reader, he learnt to escape into the world of fiction at an early age, and since his retirement he has taken his love of the written word to the next level. When not writing, he plays guitar and sings in a two-man band, paying tribute to the music of the 50s, 60s and 70s. He has also recorded an album of his own compositions.

Gary is a Justice of the Peace in South Australia and currently resides in the small Yorke Peninsula farming community where he was born. His military and police background have provided him with the necessary life experiences needed to bring credibility to his writing and characters.

Scales of Justice is his first full-length novel, with a second in the final draft stage and a third also planned for sometime in the future. He hopes to continue writing for as long as the desire to escape stays with him.

From The Book
Russell Foley stood with his back to the far wall and watched the activity. He knew the smell would hang in his throat and sinuses for several days. That was what the stench of death did to those unfortunate enough to get a good whiff of it. Foley did not often wear a mask at a crime scene; he felt that the lingering smell would continue to motivate him in his objective to catch the killer.

Flies were gathering. He looked down at the congealing pool of blood and the attendant swarm settling on the gore at Richter's feet.

Outside, detectives moved about, cordoning off the small police car park; blue and white reflective tape bearing the words Crime Scene - Do Not Cross hung across the entrance driveway. Beyond the tape the Press had begun to gather.

It was a habit of Foley's to stand back and look at a crime scene for a while before taking any real action. It gave him a chance to both observe and absorb the scene before he actually began the physical act of gathering evidence. He waited patiently for the photographer to finish his work, occasionally suggesting shots from angles the forensic specialist hadn't considered. When finally both were satisfied, the photographer left and Foley closed the door behind him.