The Broken Shore by Peter Temple

Joe Cashin used to be a policeman in Melbourne, but is now stationed on the South Australian coast where he grew up. He is called to the home of Charles Bourgoyne, a wealthy local benefactor. Bourgoyne has been badly beaten and is near death. Suspicion falls on three local aborignal youths who were in possession of Bourgoyne's watch. But the case is not that simple in an area where police corruption is rife and racial tensions are barely below the surface. Cashin struggles to solve the case even after he's been asked to take leave. To make matters worse, he is still traumatized over a case gone wrong back in Melbourne. Temple creates a mystery with a great sense of small-town contemporary Australia. I loved all the aussie slang and hope that the author writes another novel featuring the character of Joe Cashin. Note: this book will be published in May in the U.S.