Book excerpt: One man's search for justice and redemption plunges him into the violent world of Melbourne's underbelly. Defence lawyer Will Harris is reluctantly drawn into a bizarre murder trial. A terminally ill man claims to have witnessed the brutal crime - in a vision. But the looming trial is more than just a media circus: it's Will's first big case since the tragic death of his fiancée. With the pressure mounting, Will's loyalties are split when his fiancée's sister is charged with drug trafficking. The strain of balancing both cases takes its toll and Will finds himself torn between following the law and seeking justice. Blood Witness is a dark powerful thriller from a talented new voice. 'a slick, fast-paced legal thriller set in Melbourne but with a genuine international flavour and with enough twists to surprise even the most avid fans of the genre' West Australian 'the most compelling aspect of the book is the legal one with its debate about the relationship between the law and justice and its insider knowledge of details' Adelaide Advertiser 'an entertaining and interesting thriller and a great start to a new Australian crime series with lots of potential' Book'd Out 'a clever multi-threaded plot' Newton Review of Books '...... as exciting as anything I've read in a long time. It says much for Hammond's story-telling skills and augurs well for his future writing' Devoted Eclectic 'A lot of fun ... and a cracking twist in the tale.' Courier-Mail