Three brothers managing two ranches in Australian. Nathan, the eldest, lives on the property he kept after his divorce from Jacqui - mother to his son Xander. Jacqui has moved to Brisbane, but Xander is visiting his dad for a December school holiday. Cameron and younger brother Bub live on the family ranch. Cameron and his wife Ilse manage the property now that father Carl is dead. 
Simon and Katy, two backpackers that Cameron hired, are living on the property - along with Liz - Nathan, Cameron and Bub’s mother - and Uncle Harry - brother of deceased Carl. 
The book opens with Bub and Nathan standing at Cameron’s body - found by a grave on their property. What was Cameron doing there? Why had he walked there and not driven? Where was his truck? Law enforcement arrives - and when moving Cameron, they discover a freshly dug hole in the sand beneath him.  Shortly - they find Cameron’s truck - fully loaded with water, camping supplies and food - parked almost 10K away. Why had he left it there? 
The book moves back and forth between current day and memories of growing up in the Bright household with Carl who was physically and emotionally abusive to his wife and children. Eking out punishments that fit his passion at the moment. Or - memories of Nathan meeting Ilse when she first moved to the area - when Nathan hadn’t yet been shunned for driving by his ex-father-in-law who was having a stroke on the side of the road - but not 10 minutes earlier had told Nathan - “don’t come near me or my family”. Memories of Nathan being surprised when Cameron started dating Ilse. 
The official cause of death is ruled as dehydration - but Nathan can’t stop thinking of inconsistencies. Why was the driver’s seat in Cameron’s truck adjusted? Cam and Nathan were the same size - but when Cam got in to drive the truck - he had to move the seat. 
Why is a woman from their past suddenly trying to reach Cameron?
Why is Katy - the backpacker - reluctant to fulfill her role as teacher?
Lots of questions - particularly when the murder took place in such a secluded place. Not many suspects - and yet - it looks like Cameron might have committed suicide - by dehydration. 

Mother Liz’s eventual confession surprised me - but it shouldn’t have. Lots of clues to her involvement in this - but easy to miss when you first read them. And the envelope of cash and documents that Liz took from Cameron - was safest behind his painting. “Don’t touch Cam’s painting”