False reckoning / Joe Moore

The crises are set in some present-day political realities of politicians swayed by the reactionary right, and of government abandoning responsibility for aged care to the market. Intelligence chief Mick Darby is convinced that corrupt gospel church leaders are trialling assistive robots in aged care as a lead up to surveilling politicians and senior bureaucrats. Obstructed by the politics he gets nowhere; confused he becomes paranoid and leaks details of investigations into the church by the Attorney-General's office. The leaks are widely publicised, sparking outrage and sympathy for the popular pastors of Asher Ministries; the church run by Hudson and Phoebe Lang. Phoebe, best friends with the Prime Minister, is angling for a seat in the Senate. Hudson runs the nursing homes where lives are lost to understaffing, poor food and serious overcharging for the services and care denied residents. The Langs' blood money is laundered by the directors of Asher Ministries. This intriguing, fast-paced thriller focuses the risks and conflicts in revealing the high stakes of pursuing corruption. The story's Australian setting, edgy tone and casual dialogue will appeal to readers open to a look at what actions may result from walking past corruption. It will leave them like Fagan, 'reviewing the situation'.