Seeking Peace in Adelaide

South Australia is affected by war carnage continuing in distant Europe

A fierce conscientious objector abhors the thought of sending soldiers to war

A little boy could be locked away for 'scientific' reasons

One of Australia's first policewomen discovers crimes driven by greed, prejudice and lust for power

Adelaide, 1917

Day by day, the morale of South Australia's people sinks to more dismal depths.

Elsie Fisher nurtures little Neddy's singing talent while pursuing her own musical ambitions. Their music becomes a powerful facilitator for improving the lives of others. But can Elsie protect her little step-brother from those who want to institutionalize him for purported 'scientific' reasons? And why is sinister Detective Inspector Neale so hostile towards the boy?

Edwin Argent is a deep-seated conscientious objector who abhors the threat of conscription, but he loves a girl who staunchly supports the national war effort. How will this difference affect their relationship? Neither of them sees that Elsie wants Edwin all to herself.

Reverend Brown happens by chance upon escaped prisoner Oskar Zoerner in the scrub, and secretly offers him refuge. The priest is determined to help badly-damaged Oskar heal, which leads to revelations about the man's early life and his innermost character.

Pansy Pearce surprises everyone when she achieves a position of authority. With the others, she investigates enemies of the Fisher family, which leads to discovery of criminal activity driven by bigotry, greed, and hunger for power.

In this third book of Stephen Crabbe's saga, even darker malevolence seeps from the murky crevices of wartime society, and the lives of the South Australian characters entwine ever more tightly.

Seeking Peace in Adelaide often reads as though there can be no tranquility possible for its troubled characters. This new novel is based on verifiable historical facts that make for a powerfully affecting story. Walk once again beside fascinating characters in Book Three of the series A South Australian Saga, and tread through adventure laced with history.