Why do women become drug dealers? Are they simply attempting to finance their own addictions or are the reasons more complex? This unique book reveals a surprisingly complex set of stories about a diverse group of women who were attracted to the drug economy. Dealing focuses on 16 women who the author met at the former women's prison, Fairlea, in inner suburban Melbourne. Denton traces the lives of the women as they leave the prison, rejoin the drug economy, and sometimes return to jail. - This is a detailed account of why women enter the industry and how they run their drug businesses and manage complex relations with customers, workers and the criminal justice system. Dealing is a compelling account of an important part of Australia's illicit economy, vividly written and revealing.