The body of Edouard-Charles Duche is found dead in an alley. Duche is notorious for bullying, fraud, threats and theft —among law enforcement and the gang world. Was it murder by gang or by one of his victims?

Francois Rensselaer, wealthy business man, has gone missing but his family doesn’t seem to care. Some of his business associates and employees don’t seem to care either. The only one is Archer, Rensselaer’s favourite Staghound.

In both cases there are plenty of suspects and shady characters that could have something to do in the cases. Family? Friends? Associates? Enemies?

To solve thes cases, Inspector Evariste Clovis Désiré Pel is called in. One of the most successful detectives on the force, but no so much at home with Madam Routy, his housekeeper. She, who is a lousy cook and listens to the TV at top volume while sitting in the best chair. Why couldn’t he be as assertive with her as he is at work and fire her? The call to take the cases was extremely welcomed by Pel and his associates. At least here he was respected and the boss.

Pel is thorough in his investigations and expects and gets the same with his men. Observing, analyzing, thinking over details more than once, Pel slowly puts the pieces together to find the solution.

Pel can be moody, worrisome, brusque, outspoken and thorough, but there is also wittiness to be found in Pel and the other characters. It may be on the dark side, but it adds to the mood of the story. ( )