It was the fifth book featuring Sydney homicide detective Scobie Malone.
It also appeared in the TV show Dawson's Creek, Party of Five (with Hawkins performing it as a guest star), and Now and Then, a 1995 film directed by Lesli Linka Glatter.
In 1995 he played the character Bobby Fricker in the film Now and Then, followed by his role as Josiah in Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering (1996), the young version of the character James Whale in Gods and Monsters (1998), and the character of Young Kevin in Free Enterprise (1998).
"A compelling and emotional story, superbly told, Lily Mariye has much to say and this is a powerful beginning"
-Lesli Linka Glatter, Director, The Proposition, Now and Then, State of Emergency
His career enjoyed a resurgence in the 1990s, with Sparrow playing key roles in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves as the blinded retainer Duncan, 1993's The Secret Garden as gruff gardener Ben Weatherstaff, and the 1995 American coming-of-age film Now and Then as tragic drifter 'Crazy Pete'.