Synopses & Reviews
DCI David Brock and DI Kathy Kolla, of Scotland Yard, find themselves pulled into a case of murder, a mysterious death among the houseboats that line the canals around greater London, in Barry Maitland's
The Raven's Eye.DI Kathy Kolla of Scotland Yard is called in as a matter of course by the local Paddington police when a woman turns up dead in what appears to be an accident. On her houseboat, Vicky Hawks is found by one of her neighbors having apparently succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning due to improper ventilation of the narrowboats heating system. But while the cause of death seems apparent and theres no reason for Kolla to think otherwise, something about this death still bothers her.
Meanwhile, her boss, DCI Brock, is wrestling with harsh budget cuts and a new Commander who is determined to make fundamental changes to the system—including limiting resources devoted to investigations. Struggling against the limitations imposed by the new order at Scotland Yard, Brock and Kolla find themselves pulling at the loose strings in the death of Vicky Hawks, trying to find out who she really was, what she was up to, and how her death might be related to another earlier tragic accidental death.
Review
"Satisfyingly rich fare for puzzle addicts and conspiracy theorists alike, capped by a string of climactic fireworks that are still exploding in the very last paragraph."
—Kirkus Reviews on Chelsea Mansions
"Brock and Kollas meticulous, psychologically astute sleuthing fascinates."
—Entertainment Weekly on No Trace
"Maitland interweaves a smart plot, which includes a few shockers and more than a few Cold War roots, with major character developments for Brock and Kolla, and Chelsea Mansions is among the best entries in a top-notch series." —Richmond Times-Dispatch
About the Author
BARRY MAITLAND is the award-winning author of several previous novels featuring DCI David Brock and DI Kathy Kolla, most recently Chelsea Mansions. Born in Scotland and raised in London, Maitland lives in Australia.