Part of Inspector Lynley, book 13
First published 2006
Detective Superintendent Thomas Lynley stares at the third victim's body draped across a London graveyard tomb. This boy is white. The first two were not. Scotland Yard suddenly realizes they face a serial killer, and the investigation becomes a public relations minefield. Accusations of racism swirl as the department scrambles to catch the murderer. Lynley carries the weight of worry for his pregnant wife while leading the case. His partner Barbara Havers fights to salvage her damaged career after previous professional disgrace. Detective Sergeant Winston Nkata, recently promoted, becomes the department's public face to address media concerns about racial bias. The three detectives believe they understand their investigation, but the killer's determination and cleverness exceed their expectations. None of them anticipates the brutal moment that will transform everything they thought they knew about the case.
Genres: mystery, crime, thriller, detective
Vibes: dark, emotional, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: investigation, police-procedural, social-commentary
Setting: London, Scotland Yard
Period: Contemporary
774 pages · Mass Market Paperback · HarperTorch
Content warnings: racism, violence