Private Detectives Don Langham and Ralph Ryland are hired to find Christopher, the artist son of Vernon Lombard, a wealthy arms dealer in 1950's London. As this assignment progresses, Don and Ralph separately narrate their individual roles in the search for Christopher. Things turn nasty as their search turns into a murder investigation when the body of Christopher's brother Nigel is found. This is followed by another murder of someone close to Christopher. It's an ingenuous and engaging plot.

Ralph encounters some ghosts from his past which puts him in jeopardy as he is abducted by a thoroughly nasty fascist with plans to revive the British Union of Fascists that flourished in Britain in the 1930's.

This is the ninth in the Donald Langham series of detective novels set in 1950's Britain. It can easily be read and enjoyed as a standalone. In this installment, Ralph's role is prominent as his past life and youthful escapades are revealed. Don's wife, Maria plays little or no part in the investigation, a change from earlier books in the series. Don's experience in this story brings him to a crossroad in his future in his detective partnership with Ralph.

This is high quality storytelling with a satisfying conclusion. It's got plenty of colourful characters, though not all of them are nice or decent people. Scotland Yard Inspector Jeff Mallory is helpful to Don's investigation, playing against type of the bumbling and turf protecting policeman. London and the English countryside add an atmospheric sense of place. The story is set against the background of British society still recovering from the Second World War. There's the occasional bit of clunky dialogue, but that's little distraction to a well told story.

All in all, an excellent read and therefore recommended.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a complementary advance reading copy for my review. ( )