InTHESLEEPYTOWNOFBROKENWOOD,NewZealand,theaffableresidentsmayseemharmless,butkillers,blackmailers,andthieveslurkineverypicturesquecorner.Toquellthecommunity'salarmingmurderrate,DetectiveMikeShepherd(NeillRea)usesanunconventionalstylethatcontrastswiththemethodicalapproachofhispartner,DetectiveKristinSims(FernSutherland),andtheeagerassistanceofDCSamBreen(NicSampson).InSeries6,Shepherdandhisteamfaceadeadlyexplosionatasteampunkfestival;abestsellingcrimeauthorkilledinthesamemannerasamurderinhisbook;theshootingofananimalrightsactivistprotestingaduckhunt;andasuspicioussuicideinsidethelocalwomen'sprison,thatpitsthemagainstconvictsthey'veputawayinthepast.Fullofdrywitandtwistyplotlines,thesemysteriesareascompellingastheyarequirky.