Published by Joffe Books, 23 April 2024.
ISBN: 978-1-83526539-0 (PB)
Sid
Patterson is horrified on arriving at work to find his dear friend and
colleague, Morgan Springfield dead at his desk. He dials 999 and collapses.
The police arrive and Seth Harding, the crime scene
manager notices signs of Morgan having been tied up. There is a wound at the
back of his neck, and he has been dead for about eight hours. Detective
Inspector Mike Croft and Detective Sergeant Jude Burnett take over, Mike
studies the first photographs taken of the scene. The body seems to have been
posed and his fountain pen placed by his left hand – he was right-handed. This
suddenly reminds Mike of a similar case eighteen years ago; can they possibly
be connected? Another puzzle is why had
Morgan’s desk been moved to face the door?
Later, on close examination it’s discovered that
something narrow like a large nail, seems to have been inserted in Morgan’s
neck and then removed with force, after severing the spinal cord.
We then learn of retired Detective Inspector John
Tynan being contacted by Johanna Pearson, released from prison three weeks ago
after serving time for murdering her husband who had been suspected of abusing
children. John remembers the case as his friend Mike Croft was the arresting
officer.
She now wants him to help her find out what her son
Paul is up to. She is concerned that when Paul spent a short time in prison, he
shared a cell with a notorious criminal Ross Cahn. He is now spending too much
time with Cahn since their recent release, she is sure no good will come of it.
John agrees to help if he can.
Then to her horror a connection is found between
Ross Cahn and Morgan Springfield, surely this has nothing to do with Paul? Then
her son disappears.
When there is another murder Mike and the team
realise there is someone even more dangerous involved, especially when a
connection is definitely found to two murders several years ago.
Then Johanna is badly beaten up. The police have
never been faced with such complicated murder cases to solve. Mike and his team
must certainly pull out all the stops before there are any more.
A thoroughly recommended very complicated and
intriguing crime thriller which certainly gets the grey cells working overtime. ------ Reviewer: Tricia Chappell
Jane Adams was
born in Leicestershire, where she still lives. She has a degree in Sociology
and has held a variety of jobs including lead vocalist in a folk rock band. She
enjoys pen and ink drawing; martial arts and her ambition is to travel the
length of the Silk Road by motorbike. Her first book, The Greenway , was shortlisted for the CWA John Creasey Award in
1995 and for the Author's Club Best First Novel Award. Jane writes several
series. Her first series featured Mike
Croft. Several books featuring DS Ray Flowers. Seven titles featuring blind
Naoimi Blake, and six titles featuring Rina Martin. Her most ret series is set
between the two World Wars and featuring Detective Inspector Henry Johnstone
and his sergeant, Micky Hitchens. Jane has also written several standalone
novels. She is married with two children.
Tricia Chappell . I have a great love of books and reading, especially crime
and thrillers. I play the occasional game of golf (when I am not reading).
My great love is cruising especially to far flung places, when there are long
days at sea for plenty more reading! I am really enjoying reviewing books and
have found lots of great new authors.
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