Better the Blood: The past never truly stays buried. Welcome to the dark side of paradise.

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**Shortlisted for the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction, Ockham New Zealand Book Awards**

'A compelling, atmospheric page turner with an authentic insight into Mori culture' Val McDermid

A DETECTIVE IN SEARCH OF THE TRUTH.
A KILLER IN SEARCH OF RETRIBUTION.
A CLASH BETWEEN CULTURE AND DUTY.
THE PAST NEVER TRULY STAYS BURIED.
WELCOME TO THE DARK SIDE OF PARADISE.

Detective Senior Sergeant Hanna Westerman is a tenacious Mori detective juggling single motherhood and the pressures of her career in Aucklands Central Investigation Branch. When shes led to a crime scene by a mysterious video, she discovers a man hanging in a hidden room. With little to go on, Hana knows one thing: the killer is sending her a message.

As a Mori officer, there has always been a clash between duty and culture for Hana, but it is something that shes found a way to live with. Until now. When more murders follow, Hana realises that her heritage and past are the keys to finding the perpetrator.

Especially when the killer's agenda of revenge may include Hana and her family . . .

As page-turning as it is eye-opening Ambrose Parry

A remarkable new detective Daily Mail

[A] highly addictive read My Weekly

So chilling Crime Monthly

Opens a unique window onto a fascinatingAntipodeansociety as only world-class crime fiction can Deon Meyer

Reviews

Stunning. Better the Blood is a tremendous debut, and Hana Westerman, the Maori detective at the center of the story, instantly becomes one of the great characters in crime fiction on any continent. This novel has it all: a gripping mystery, complex and memorable characters, and timely social and cultural commentary. Dont miss it -- David Heska Wanbli Weiden, author of Winter Counts
'Better the Bloodtouches on themes that have become increasingly urgent in recent years including the far-reaching impacts of colonialism and the often uneasy integration of identity and heritage into modern multicultural society. A tensely plotted, gritty crime novel that has the courage to force us all to rethink our relationship with the past' Vaseem Khan

As page-turning as it is eye-opening. An excitingly fresh perspective upon a world you thought you knew Ambrose Parry

Packed with intricate detail about Maori history and culture, this tense and involving story ushers in a remarkable new detective Geoffrey Wansell, Daily Mail

This thought-provoking debut is a compelling, insightful and highly addictive read My Weekly

So chilling Crime Monthly

[A] stellar series launch . . . Immersed in modern-day technologies and with a keen sensitivity to cultural issues, this is a finely crafted page-turner. Bennett is a writer to watch Publishers Weekly (starred review)

'Bennett unflinchingly weaves together layers of fallout from New Zealands bloody colonization, enduring Maori culture, and gripping procedural details. Hopefully this compelling debut heralds the start of a long-running series' Booklist