Description “A writer who treads in the classic footsteps of Morse and Maigret.” Guardian
“A mystery that's as smooth as a good single malt and none the less satisfying." John Harvey
The bloodied body of a crucified man is discovered in the Second Federation Church in an Irish Heritage Town on the first Friday of summer. The investigations by Inspector Starrett of the Serious Crime Unit and his young team soon reveal a County Donegal that is not nearly as righteous as its many churches might suggest.
The body is that of local master carpenter James Moore, whom Starrett discovers was having a relationship with the wife of the pastor of the same Second Federation Church, and she has mysteriously disappeared. Meanwhile, it transpires that Moore’s own wife had started to get close to her childhood sweetheart. While investigating Moore’s past Starrett learns that the carpenter might have witnessed a local professional villain in action.
Starrett is in his mid forties, dresses well, likes a pint of Guinness and is a decade into his third career. The locals say he may have a sixth sense: he’s not so sure but has been eternally grateful when that special something or other has kept him out of trouble and come to his aid while on a few of his cases. As Starrett conducts his meticulous investigation, recently widowed Maggie Keane calls and he has to accept that he still has the same feelings he had for her as a teenager.
The first of a major new crime series
From the acclaimed author of the DI Christy Kennedy Mysteries
“Agatha Christie for people who inhale.” Nigel Williamson The Times
Author Paul Charles was born in Magherafelt, Ireland and is one of Europe’s best known music promoters and agents. He is the author of seven previous Inspector Christy Kennedy novels: I Love The Sound of Breaking Glass, Last Boat To Camden Town, Fountain Of Sorrow, The Ballad Of Sean And Wilko, The Hissing Of The Silent Lonely Room, I’ve Heard The Banshee Sing and The Justice Factory.
