Present darkness. Malla Nunn. 2017.

Emmanuel Cooper sits at his desk six days before Christmas, ready for his holiday. A call comes in: a respectable, white couple has been beaten and left for dead. The couple’s teenage daughter identifies the attacker as Aaron Shabalala - the youngest son of Detective Constable Samuel Shabalala - Cooper’s best friend and a man to whom he owes his life. The Detective Branch isn’t interested in evidence that might contradict their star witness’s story - especially so close to the holidays. Determined to ensure justice for Aaron, Cooper, Shabalala and their friend Dr Daniel Zweigman must hunt down the truth……..