Death Trap

Kate O'Donnell #2

by Patricia Hall

Kate O’Donnell, fresh from her adventures in Dead Beat , discovers yet again there’s a darker side to London in the Swinging Sixties . - Beatlemania has reached London, but young photographer Kate O’Donnell soon discovers a darker side of the city when a prostitute is found murdered off the Portobello Road. A West Indian immigrant, Nelson Mackintosh, is arrested, and simmering racial tension reaches breaking point. Convinced of Nelson’s innocence, Kate determines to track down the real killer. But when her activities attract the attention of notorious gangster King Devine, not even Kate’s old sparring partner DS Harry Barnard can ensure her safety.

Genres: Historical Mystery

224 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2012

About the author

Patricia Hall is the pen-name of journalist Maureen O'Connor. She was born and brought up in West Yorkshire, which is where she has chosen to set her acclaimed series of novels featuring reporter Laura Ackroyd and DCI Michael Thackeray. She is married, with two grown-up sons, and now lives in Oxford.

Reviews

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read. Interesting look at 60's London -- police corruption, advent of the Beatles and other bands, women stepping out of their comfort zones to pursue careers, racial problems beginning to boil. The protagonist Kate is slowly making her way in London despite, or in part, because of her Liverpool roots. Her copper friend Barnard has his own moral rules that he follows, which has allowed him to make out pretty well with his job yet has a line which he won't cross. This leads to conflict with Kate of course. I enjoy this series.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good mystery set in 1960s London, this book focuses on the underlying police corruption in the city. A young woman photographer becomes involved in a murder case. A West Indian is falsely accused of the murder. With the assistance of her policeman boyfriend she tries to prove his innocence, but her own life might be at risk.

[Violet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great story about the inner workings of the lower classes in Britain. There must be an awful lot of research put into these stories. Love the interaction between Kate and Harry.