Curly Malone

The story opens during World War II, when Curly Malone and his patrol are ambushed in the jungles of Sanananda, New Guinea. In saving his mates, Curly is severely wounded. Barely alive, he is flown to the mainland. During his recuperation, he meets Sonny Galea, a likeable rogue.

After his return home to Sydney, Sonny renews his acquaintance. This friendship leads Curly into the world of criminals and black marketeers. Attacked by a rival, he defends himself, only to learn later that his attacker has died, and police are searching for him.

By this time, he has met and fallen in love with Debbie. They marry and, at her suggestion, moved to Brisbane. Curly finds work at an illegal casino but again falls foul of rival criminalsone of whom is the brother of the man who died in Sydney. Arrested by a crooked police officer in cahoots with that brother, he is severely bashed while in police custody.

Curly is extradited to Sydney to stand trial for the murder of his former attacker. Has he survived the war only to be hanged for a murder he did not commit?