Daniel's semi-autobiographical novel fictionalized his friends' turbulent lives; now it provides the only clues for the police investigating his murder.
Daniel Smart's debut novel, Home Truths, published with little notice, except in the small seaside town in which it was set. For the local press, it was a story about a local boy done good. For his friends, it was the galling revelation that a turbulent year in their lives has been passed off as fiction and is open for everyone to read. For his publisher and agent, it was an urgent call to arms to avoid a damaging lawsuit.
Days after Daniel's homecoming book signing, he's found dead. Is it suicide? Could it be murder?
The police realise the truth revolves around the book and begin to cross examine the real-life characters against the story. Unable to separate fact from fiction, they enlist the help of discredited but perceptive psychoanalytic academic 'Doc' Richard Philoppoussis.
But with no clear motive, an inconclusive post-mortem and a gathering interest from the local press, could a devastating secret be hidden in clear sight?