The first novel from Ian Douglas introduces us to Simon Hadlow, a New Zealand Policeman who has many experiences to his credit, including Diplomatic Protection Service and Undercover work. Simon finds himself in a conflicting situation when his brother in law is arrested on theft and burglary offences and Simon is asked by family member to arrange something to ‘get him off’. Preferring to transfer out of town, leaving behind his broken marriage, Simon establishes himself in the popular tourist town of Queenstown where he not only develops his career further but his personal life takes a much needed improvement. A transfer to the Christchurch Policing Area to assist with the management of an off the track Inspector, see’s Simon becoming involved in a particularly gruesome investigation involving the discovery of two severed arms, from different bodies. But where did they come from and what is the link to the Royal Artillery and the Falkland Islands ? Within Reach develops the character of Simon Hadlow and those people who are associated with him; from DCI Scotty MacPherson, Pathologist Gordon Williams and Area Commander Mathewson through to Melanie Kensington and her family by way of the twists, turns and international travel that Simon encounters along the way to solving this puzzling case.
