I just love this author and this series about almost-turn-of-the-century policing in Leeds, England. Detective Superintendent Tom Harper and his police squad encounter a series of burglaries in an upscale Leeds neighborhood.
Immediately following that, Inspector Billy Reed, his friend and former colleague comes back to Leeds for his brother's funeral. Charlie Reed, a shopkeeper has committed suicide, and Billy discovers some crippling rent rises may play a part.
Rapidly it becomes clear that corruption and organized intimidation is playing a huge part in increased hardship for citizens in Leeds. Some highly placed, if not respected,townsmen are playing a part in this. Annabelle Harper, an elected Poor Law Advocate, experiences some of the same, on another level.
Tom himself has his life threatened, but through a series of dogged round the clock police work, they bring some of the suspects to justice. The ending is very unique, I read that 3 times. I have hopes for another in the series which might bring the Reeds back to Leeds.
Chris Nickson not only is a gifted writer but an excellent historian of this area.
