Praise for Michael Bennett and the Hana Westerman Series: "Michael Bennett's distinctive New Zealand-set series featuring Maori detective Hana Westerman continues with the pungent Return to Blood . The vivid picture of ethnic cultural life alone marks out the book as special, but it's Bennett's control of a tense narrative that is key."-- Financial Times "A great second novel by Bennett. The plotting is clever, and the characters are fully fleshed out and interesting . A powerful novel that stays in the mind long after it is finished."-- Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine "Michael Bennett's crime fiction debut explores themes of colonization and Indigenous culture by way of New Zealand. A serial killer looking to avenge the 160-year-old murder of a Maori chief is pursued by police detective Hana Westerman, whose Maori ancestry makes the case personal."-- Christian Science Monitor "Stunning .

With an incisive close third-person narration that digs into the thoughts and feelings of all of the players, the story commands attention from start to spectacular finish."-- Oprah Daily "A stunning and completely unique debut thriller . I can only hope that this is the start of a wonderful and long-running series."-- Book Reporter "Thoroughly absorbing . Bennett writes about Maori culture and history with generosity and care, reflected in the final acknowledgments paid to those in his community who lent him additional insights and guidance. He also crafts a compelling detective in Hana Westerman."-- Shelf Awareness "Outstanding . The characters are exceptional, their motives and doubts all so magnificently drawn, so many of them strangers in a strange land in their own land.

"-- Winnipeg Free Press "A stellar series launch set in contemporary New Zealand . Bennett is a writer to watch."-- Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Bennett establishes himself as an excellent storyteller . One can only hope this is the beginning of a series. A striking debut and a significant addition to Indigenous literature."-- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "A compelling, atmospheric page turner with an authentic insight into Maori culture."-- Val McDermid "Stunning. Better the Blood is a tremendous debut, and Hana Westerman, the Maori detective at the center of the story, instantly becomes one of the great characters in crime fiction on any continent.

This novel has it all: a gripping mystery, complex and memorable characters, and timely social and cultural commentary. Don't miss it."-- David Heska Wanbli Weiden, author of Winter Counts "Carefully crafted and beautifully written, intelligent and insightful, Bennett opens a unique window onto a fascinating Antipodean society as only world-class crime fiction can. I devoured it. (And, as a South African, I found great pleasure in the rugby references too.)"-- Deon Meyer, author of T he Dark Flood.