Maria’s hard-charging career in banking gets derailed when her ex steals a coveted promotion. When she confronts the local muscle about bad business debts, she begins to realize he might be the only one she can rely on. Maria Henderson finds herself straightening out bad loans in rural Australia. Assuming her city-smarts will win the day, Maria is sure she’ll be back in Sydney within a year. But when she uncovers an avaricious ring of corruption, Maria must decide how far she will go to advance her career. Tony Carpenter is back in town and trouble has followed him. Managing the local gym and helping troubled youth seems like a good way to leave his enforcer days behind. But when the new bank manager starts calling in bad debts, this former bike gang member is faced with a choice: confront his past or slide back into a life of crime. Dark Horse is the first book in the Brooksdale Australian country town thriller series. If you like resolute heroes, intrigue, and enduring spirit, then you'll love J.D. Underwood’s gritty rural thriller.