Madman's Bend. Arthur W. Upfield

If any man was ever born to be murdered, it was William Lush – a hated drunk who disappeared after beating his wife to death. Plenty of men had the opportunity to murder Lush, some the means, none the motive. Jill Madden, his pretty step-daughter, had all three… When Lush disappears, Inspector Bonaparte must look for a body – and the murderer – before the Darling River rises to flood level…