One of my favorites among the 29 books in the Napoleon Bonaparte series. I wouldn't say the series is light on plot -- merely casual in pace, like its main character. The emphasis is on the setting and atmosphere of (usually) outback Australia, upon Napoleon as a fascinatingly unique character (part white, part Aborigine), and upon the interplay of the people among whom he is placed. Here he investigates the extended Kelly family of Cork Valley, N South Wales. They control the illegal liquor market in the area. Bony lives among them, grows to like them, but still must do his duty as the best police inspector in Australia.

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Alas, this is the last "Bony" novel I have on hand. Those few I haven't read are still WLed. It was a interesting story. What I found most interesting was the author's constant reference to the Australian taxes which cover almost everything you wish to buy.

The last time I was there, in the early 70s, I went into a book store, as I had finished reading the ones I had brought with me. I was stunned to see how much a paperback cost, three or four times what they cost in the U.S. My cousins told me the heavy taxes and tariffs were used to pay for Australia's socialized government.

What they are told is the heavy import duties were used to protect Australian industries. For example, there was a 300% tariff on watches to protect that industry. The problem was, at that time, there was no Australian watch industry.

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