The novel centers around the so-called "Black Police," a paramilitary force established by colonial governments in Australia during the 19th century. This force, made up of Indigenous men under the command of white officers, was tasked with suppressing resistance from Aboriginal people, often through brutal means.Vogan's story follows several characters, both colonists and Aboriginal people, as it examines the violent and often corrupt actions of the Black Police. The narrative highlights the oppression faced by Indigenous Australians, the moral decay of the colonial rulers, and the injustices carried out in the name of progress and expansion.