The Shadow Game — Steve Lewis; Chris Uhlmann

Once feared newshound Harry Dunkley has fallen, disgraced and dispirited at having failed to reveal the existence of the cabal of mandarins pulling the strings of power in Canberra.

But new purpose is in the air.

Dunkley receives aid from an unlikely band of adversaries, and as the Australian government teeters between fear and greed - wanting US security and Chinese cash - he looks at his enemies afresh. Resurrected Labor powerhouse Catriona Bailey and the hitherto untouchable Defence chief, Sir Jack Webster, leader of the sinister cabal, have played Dunkley at every turn. Yet there is a chink in Webster that might just bring him - and Bailey -down.