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  • Published: 1 July 2005
  • ISBN: 9781741660401
  • Imprint: Arrow Australia
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 480
  • RRP: $24.99

A Necessary Evil




A family of cops, a code of honour, a world of corruption - an uncompromising thriller from the acclaimed author of The Time of the Dragons.

A family of cops, a code of honour, a world of corruption - an uncompromising thrilled from the acclaimed author of The Time of the Dragons.

'One, two, three o'clock, four o'clock rock...' The year was 1956 and the world was in the grip of rock 'n' roll. Sydney's youth flocked to the local dance halls and juvenile crime rocketed out of control. Teenage gangs like the Overlords ruled the streets, forcing the NSW Police Commissioner to form 33 Division, an elite group of tough plainclothes cops presided over by none other than George Arthur Everard, feared by the criminal world, and known to all as The Prince of Darlinghurst. Within a year the problem was solved and, as a reward, 33 Division was placed in charge of State Gaming and Vice. It was a licence to print money. Corrupted from within, the cops of the 'Dirty Tree', as the division became known, ruled the streets and the city and created the biggest crime syndicate Sydney had ever seen.

A Necessary Evil traces the lives of three generations of policemen, from George the uncompromising grandfather; to Harold, the weak, psychotic father; to Shayne, the new breed of cop. Three men living in the shadows of justice, inextricably bound by blood and the unique code of honour that rules them.

  • Published: 1 July 2005
  • ISBN: 9781741660401
  • Imprint: Arrow Australia
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 480
  • RRP: $24.99

About the author

Bruce Venables

Bruce Venables was born in Hobart and was a member of the Tasmanian Police Force. In 1976 he joined the Royal Hong Kong police as an Inspector. He served in the Hong Kong Marine Police as a launch commander and in the Tactical Unit as a platoon commander.

In 1984 Bruce took up residence in Sydney and began his career as a writer. He is also well known to Australian audiences as an actor.

He is the author of a collection of poetry, The Spirit of the Bush, and five novels: A Necessary Evil, The Time of the Dragons, Two Tigers, One Mountain, Scattered Monkeys and Eureka Run (coming July 2017).

Bruce lives in Sydney, and is married to best selling novelist and actress, Judy Nunn AM.

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