Lost in time, he finds his feet but loses his heart…

Badly beaten Australian rookie cop Mike Harker emerges from a coma with no history, no job, and no self-respect. While convalescing with a kooky bibliophile, a time portal opens in her bookstore and Mike is hurled into the past.

Faced with another beating, he is rescued from a mob by the charming impresario of The Palace of the Stars, a magnificent music hall.

There Mike falls for the beautiful and beguiling stage magician, Mae Belle, who begs him to solve a series of gruesome murders of itinerant miners and their families. Mike learns that Mae's magic is more than an act, and, stung by jealousy, he must team with her onstage, and possibly offstage partner, the creepy Chan Li, to discover and trap the killer.

With his own life in danger, Mike seizes his one chance at redemption and winning the woman he loves, but the justice of the day disgusts him. He must make a horrible choice.
Extensive historical notes included.