Why I liked DEATH OF AN OFFICER

Two seemingly disparate events, a murder and a disappearance, propel this

superbly crafted police procedural set in WW2 London. In South Kensington, an

Indian gyneacologist is found dead, his head severely battered. In another part of

the city, an American major drops out of sight after a late night at a club.

Investigation of both incidents falls to DCI Frank Merlin and his understaffed,

wartime team. Their inquiries unearth a blackmail scheme, an affair, a den of

sexual pleasure, a cadre of Indian businessmen plotting independence from British rule, and…a possible connection between the two cases.

The team's diligence is expertly captured in wonderfully convincing detail as the investigation proceeds. Their follow-up-every-lead mentality turns seemingly inconsequential snippets of evidence into substantive clues. Their progress, however, is hampered by the ruthless elimination of witnesses by London gangsters, and by the efforts of corrupt officers in the metropolitan vice squad to protect the guilty

It takes the supremely skilled hands of a master storyteller to bring the mystery's many strands together in such a compelling and realistic fashion. Death of an Officer ranks as one of the best crime stories of 2025, a must read for the many fans of the Frank Merlin Series and the perfect introduction for newcomers.

Star Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Available on Amazon

Published by Headline Accent

May 29, 2025