By Gwendoline Butler

The invention of a pile of youngster skulls and a grisly triple homicide are only the beginning of leader Commander Coffin's concerns during this gripping crime novel from probably the most universally well-known English secret writers. London's moment urban has been the scene of many a terrifying crime, however the discovery of a pile of child skulls unearthed close to police headquarters is especially scary. one other significant fear for John Coffin, leader Commander, is a triple homicide on his patch, that of a midwife and her daughters. the most obvious suspect is her son, Black Jack Jackson, a neighborhood villain, yet either Coffin and DI Phoebe Astley are reluctant to simply accept his guilt. additional murders upload renewed urgency to either investigations: certainly one of a physician, came upon in a sanatorium laboratory surrounded via grisly trophies, may perhaps good be hooked up to the disinterring of the children's skulls; the opposite, of a infamous moment urban legal, with the brutal midwife killings. Coffin is ready to take all this in his stride, notwithstanding, until eventually the becoming violence comes towards domestic – at once threatening the protection of his spouse, the actress Stella Pinero.

Show description

Read or Download A Cold Coffin (John Coffin Mystery, Book 32) PDF

Best crime books

Viva La Madness

J. J. Connolly the favourite voice of London gangster fiction returns with a travel de strength: the Get Carter of the noughties, Layer Cake has additionally been made right into a highly-praised movie by way of Matthew Vaughn, starring Daniel Craig and Sienna Miller (it's additionally the main shoplifted booklet in England). Now Connolly is again with a sequel that sees him at the related wonderful shape, together with his trademark razor-sharp discussion and quick-fire violence, but additionally discovering darkish humor and pathos within the lives of violent males.

The Balance of Guilt (The TV Detective, Book 5)

A terrorist outrage in a sacred construction shocks the rustic. yet that's only the start of the scandal that is approximately to unfold.

Television reporter Dan Groves lies subconscious in a health center mattress. outdoor, Britain is transfixed via the bombing, an intensive Islamic plot, a mystery carrier double-cross, and a murderous cover-up.

And questions–What position may well Dan have performed in exposing the scandal, while he lay sedated because the tale broke? And the place does the stability of Guilt lie?

Shadows of Justice (The TV Detective, Book 6)

EISBN-13: 978-0-85728-002-2

A deadly mistake in the past that condemned hundreds of thousands to a lingering demise. a central authority cover-up and a lust for vengeance which may by no means be eased via the passing years, whether it claims many blameless lives.

17-year-old Annette Newman is abducted as she serves a self-imposed penance for her privileged place. The crime looks mundane, designed in simple terms to make cash, until eventually the invention of the ransom be aware and the mysterious letters PP published so very intentionally on the end.

The kidnappers face trial. The proof is fragile, in simple terms simply adequate to place ahead of a jury. yet in an elderly and hushed court a distinct verdict is back. It's a call which has lethal results for Annette. And for the abductors, too.

When the legislations fails, occasionally vengeance should be the single selection that is still.

Coffin on the Water (John Coffin Mystery, Book 18)

EISBN-13: 9780007544646

British author Butler has crafted a grim story that unsuccessfully blends homicide with social remark. In 1946, newly promoted detective-constable John Coffin arrives in Greenwich to soak up his publish. quickly after, the physique of a tender lady floats down the Thames to South London. It fast turns into transparent that this is often no usual homicide: the sufferer has been strangled, stabbed and mutilated. hooked up to the physique is a be aware interpreting "Present for my mother," a connection with former actress Rachel Esthart, whose son drowned less than mysterious situations 17 years formerly, and who has simply acquired a postcard promising an drawing close present from the boy, whose loss of life she hasn't ever stated. Then different our bodies are present in the river, murdered within the related brutal method.

Extra info for A Cold Coffin (John Coffin Mystery, Book 32)

Example text

When he saw me he got up and took a Sig Sauer pistol from the table, stuffing it into his waistband, the grip hanging over the lip of his drawstring pants. We shook hands and he walked me over to my bike. He straddled it, started it up, and rode the throttle in neutral. He yelled over the engine, “That Spectre pistol Core's selling you? ” “Mommy. That's too much for a pistol, Bird. It was me I'd charge you three hundy” “That's cool of you, dude, but he ain't budging. ” I stuck my chin at the bike.

Or get shot here and let my partners waste him? Or hope one of them gets a clean line on him right this second? Or lie down and try to stay out of the way of everyone's bullets that were sure to puncture the Monte Carlo any second? Or, or, or … drop the keys? Yes, drop the keys. If I was going to die, then he was going to die too. I pulled the keys out of the ignition and let them fall into the footwell. ” “Motherfucker—” I leaned forward and Provestgaard did too. Mellor, who was closest to the passenger's side of the car, stuck his revolver in the rear window gap and emptied it.

Shoot, in that year, 1987, he probably even had his own computer. It didn't appeal to me. The bullet put the rush of the streets in me and through me. It guaranteed I'd never direct anything but myself, and convinced me that large desks were for castrated dummies. I thought, Fuck that, I'm gonna be an undercover. ” AUGUST 2001—JANUARY 2002 IF ANYTHING, THE shooting proved that my job, and therefore my life, was not glamorous in any way. Pathetically, I'd imagined that undercover life would be like Miami Vice—full of cigarette boats, fast cars, expensive clothes, and perfect tens in bikinis sitting in my lap while I negotiated with drug kingpins.

Download PDF sample

Rated 4.36 of 5 – based on 16 votes