By Eleanor Catton

New York Little Brown. 2013. 834p.

The novel begins with the arrival of Walter Moody, a young Scottish lawyer, in Hokitika, where he stumbles upon a meeting of 12 local men. Each of these men has a different story to tell about a recent series of events involving theft, deception, and possible murder. As the novel progresses, their stories become increasingly entangled, and Moody finds himself drawn into the intricate web of secrets and lies that surround them.

Catton uses a range of narrative techniques, including astrology and multiple points of view, to create a complex and layered narrative. The novel also explores a range of themes, including class, race, gender, and the pursuit of wealth and power in a frontier society.