Waterfall Village - Murder In The Pacific - Matt Francis

A gripping crime mystery in the heart of the Pacific — murder, kastom, and diplomacy collide in this compelling new instalment of 'Murder in the Pacific'.

Clare Roberts, an American volunteer living on Pentecost Island in Vanuatu, is found dead at the base of one of the island’s iconic land-diving towers. With her death threatening to become an international incident, Sergeant George Long and Constable Jayline Oli of the Vanuatu Police Force are called in to investigate — and keep the situation contained.

When the son of a senior politician confesses to the crime, the local authorities are eager to close the case. But George and Jayline suspect otherwise. As they dig deeper, secrets emerge. Clare’s life unravels as they probe: a secret pregnancy, and her housemates each had reason to resent her.  Meanwhile, local kastoms, cultural complexities, and political interference threaten to derail their search for the truth.

From lush inland villages to windswept cliffs, George and Jayline confront language barriers, entrenched power and secrets someone will kill to protect.

'Ifira Point' the first book in the series won 2025 Ned Kelly Award, for, Best Debut Crime Fiction.