Synopses & Reviews
A student in the Reading Room of the London Library, Marion Summers, suddenly goes into a seizure, then slips into a coma and then dies. But what first appears to be a simple tragedy, is soon revealed to be much more sinister. During the autopsy, it's determined that she actually died of acute arsenic poisoning. Brought to the attention of the Serious Crime Unit of Scotland Yard, the newly promoted Detective Inspector Kathy Kolla, with the help of her superior, DCI David Brock, investigate the mysterious Summers, leading them to suspect her death was related to unexplained and unusual aspects of her recent life. The more they investigate, the more confounding the mystery becomes and more the clear it is that behind what really happened - and why - lies the most difficult-to-crack case Kolla and Brock have ever faced.
Review
"Excellent ... Maitland crafts a suspenseful whodunit with enough twists and turns to keep even the sharpest readers on their toes."--Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) "Maitland delights in revealing layer upon layer of skullduggery."--Kirkus Reviews
Review
"Excellent ... Maitland crafts a suspenseful whodunit with enough twists and turns to keep even the sharpest readers on their toes."--Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) "Maitland delights in revealing layer upon layer of skullduggery."--Kirkus Reviews
Synopsis
Newly promoted to Detective Inspector, Kathy Kolla of the Serious Crimes Unit is called in by the forensic pathologist regarding the recent sudden death of a London student from what hes determined to be arsenic poisoning. Marion Summers had no reason to be in contact with arsenic and, though once common, arsenic is now very hard to get hold of. The more Kolla investigates, the more she discovers that certain other things about Summers are also unusual. She moved three octobers ago without leaving a forwarding address or informing her relatives. And her step-father has a disquieting past and, after attacking a constable in a pub, a not-so-savory present. With each turn in the investigation, it becomes increasingly clear that behind what really happened—and why—lies the most difficult-to-crack case the team has ever faced.
About the Author
BARRY MAITLAND was born Scotland, worked in London, and lives in Australia. Author of several novels featuring Brock and Kolla, his work has been a finalist for the Barry Award, the John Creasey Award, and was the winner of the Ned Kelley Award.