In the final book in this award-winning series, Emmanuel Cooper sits at his desk six days before Christmas, ready for his holiday. A call comes in: a respectable, white couple has been beaten and left for dead. The couple's teenage daughter identifies the attacker as Aaron Shabalala - the youngest son of Detective Constable Samuel Shabalala - Cooper's best friend and a man to whom he owes his life. The Detective Branch isn't interested in evidence that might contradict their star witness's story - especially so close to the holidays. Determined to ensure justice for Aaron, Cooper, Shabalala and their friend Dr Daniel Zweigman must hunt down the truth ...'Superlative.' Publishers Weekly, starred review 'Pitch-perfect. What makes Cooper such an interesting (and excellent) detective is his ability to straddle the divide that separates class, race and cultures. But it's a perilous balancing act. Nunn's achievement is to keep us caring about the consequences if Cooper loses his footing. Present Darkness manages the tension beautifully.' The Sydney Morning Herald

Author Biography

Malla Nunn is the author of the Emmanuel Cooper crime novels set in 1950s South Africa. A Beautiful Place to Die, Let the Dead Lie,Blessed Are the Dead and Present Darkness have, between them, received two Edgar Award nominations, a RUSA Award for Best Mystery Novel and a Davitt Award for best crime novel by an Australian author. Blessed are the Dead, a 2013 Publishers Weekly Top Ten Summer Crime Read, was shortlisted for an Anthony Award and a Ned Kelly Award. Malla lives with her family in Sydney.