Perth, Western Australia was in the grip of terror. An ice-cold hand clawed at its heart. Five teenage girls were missing. Three were from Kalamunda village in the Perth foothills. The police were completely baffled.

Was someone toying with the police? A police officer and a judge’s daughter were among the disappeared. A police officer should be able to take care of herself. Was someone with a grudge seeking vengeance? Was there another thrill-kill monster on the loose? Perth had had more than enough of those already.

The media were in a frenzy. The headlines howled police ineptness and impotence.

Detective Inspector Jack Kelpie wasn’t inept or impotent. An old bloodhound he sniffed deeply, found the scent and went in hot pursuit. His review of the evidence showed a pattern. He discovered who was doing this, why they were always one step ahead and how they were disposing of the bodies.

An unplanned trap with lots of bait presented itself. Would the bait be taken and if so would Jack be able to snatch the snatcher before another young woman disappeared forever?

Ken Moore