P. F. Ford

About

Formerly published as “Death of a temptress” but now republished by joffe books, retitled “Death by carpet”

Disgraced Detective Dave Slater is stuck on gardening leave, down in the quiet Hampshire town of Tinton, with just one last chance to redeem himself.

He must search for mousy young journalist Ruth Thornhill. Months ago, she vanished from her home, her London job, her life. But the Met don’t want to know.

Now Slater’s boss slips him the file, asking him to investigate discreetly, with the help of an unlikely new assistant. Bedraggled fifty-something Detective Norman Norman.

Norman may not be the fittest or the strongest. And, lord knows, he’s not the youngest. But he knows how to use his head and follow his instincts. And he might just be the ally that Slater needs.

The deeper Slater digs into the missing woman’s many secrets, the more he realizes, someone out there doesn’t want her found.

And they’ll stop at nothing to keep Slater from the truth.