Authors: Sean Campbell/Daniel Campbell
Published: March 2014 by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Category: Crime/Mystery/Thriller

The bleakest winter on record and a gruesome discovery bring DCI David Morton to the Hackney Marshes in search of a clue, any clue, as to the identity of a dead child found near the Old River Lea. Meanwhile, closer to home, Morton’s long-suffering wife Sarah comes to the conclusion that her man has been doing more than work during his late nights at the office. As he closes in on the mystery of the boy’s identity his life begins to crumble and a terrible wrong is done to someone he loves. With all of London watching, Morton’s impeccable ethics will be tested to their limit as he is forced to choose between doing what is right and what is legal.

 

A suspicious death investigation soon turns into something very much more complex as DCI David Morton struggles to unravel the increasing threads of a case which becomes ever more daunting.

He and his team have to find the truth behind the discovery of a child’s body buried in Hackney Marshes. There are no apparent clues, apart from a very expensive watch found with the body, or evidence as to how the child died. The deeper the police team dig the more confusing the case seems as they chase each lead and reach seemingly dead ends.

The opening paragraph is a good lead in….

David Morton was not a night owl. He firmly believed that nothing good ever happened between midnight and ten o’clock, and so the arrogant buzzing of his mobile phone shortly before quarter past eight elicited a sleepy groan. He squinted at the screen as its artificial light illuminated his haggard face. It was work. With a sprightliness belying his age, he threw off half the cover and leapt to his feet. A lesser man might have questioned why, at fifty-two years of age, he was still willing to jump at a moment’s notice. It was not like he had anything to prove anymore.

While the investigation is ongoing DCI Morton is also dealing with intense personal problems which turn his life upside down, resulting in an interesting sub plot depicting the frustrations of dealing with unaccommodating banks and legal systems.

The forensic, legal details and police procedures are very well researched and the plot is tight and realistic with unexpected twists and a shock departure. It’s gritty and the main characters are well executed and believable. All the strands of the story are woven together well making this an enjoyable read.

Could do with a little more precise editing, there are a few grammatical and punctuation errors.

I think this works as a stand alone but if, like me, you haven’t read the first book, Dead on Demand, it’s available for a free download in the Amazon UK and US Kindle shops at the moment. Not sure for how long though.