The sequel to Learned Enemies. A Supreme Court judge in Sydney is murdered in his courtroom during a hearing. Justice Brian 'Gator' Kater drops dead while arguing with baby barrister Benjamin Douglas. Everyone suspects a heart attack until the police discover that he was poisoned. Benjamin and his brilliant opponent, Tanya Baker, race to find the killer before any more judges receive a death sentence.

'Mark Dryden' is the pen name of Peter Menadue who was a non-prizewinning journalist before studying law at the University of Sydney and Oxford University. He has worked as a barrister in Sydney for more than 20 years. He has written 7 legal novels under his pen name and 21 under his own name. He expects to write more.