GARDEN OF LAMENTATIONS

A married couple of London detectives investigates parallel cases of murder and corruption.

Detective Superintendent Duncan Kincaid and DI Gemma James (To Dwell in Darkness, 2014, etc.) have three children, two cats, one dog, and not enough time for each other. While taking the kids to their usual activities, Gemma learns from a friend that a young nanny has been found dead in a locked private garden accessible only from the surrounding houses. Once she’s assigned to the case, Gemma can’t find a motive for anyone to kill this beautiful, blameless girl. Meanwhile, Kincaid, still haunted by a colleague’s recent suicide, receives a cryptic message to meet at a pub, where he finds his missing former boss and mentor, Denis Childs. Childs warns Kincaid off asking too many questions, but when Childs is brutally attacked and left for dead on his walk home from the pub, Kincaid feels compelled to investigate. To keep Gemma safe, Kincaid hides his growing suspicions from her, creating an emotional divide between them. But when another cop turns up dead, Kincaid realizes that he must work with his trusted friends on the force—including Gemma—to root out the coverups and corruption.

Densely plotted and with a balanced interplay between the domestic sphere and the intrigue of police internal affairs. Contemporary and propulsive.