In the Shadow of Evil

DCI Neil Paget #9

by Frank Smith

A gruesome discovery sets DCI Neil Paget on a collison course with his superiors . . .   When Antonia Halliday is found dead in a barn, her head and neck slashed with an old-fashioned sickle, Paget and Tregalles attend the scene. The victim is from Bromley Manor, the country home of a highly respected family with links to the chief constable, and Chief Superintendent Brock warns Paget to tread carefully. With all the evidence drawing Paget back to the manor, he soon finds himself at odds with his superiors – and the killer is not quite finished yet . .

240 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2012

About the author

Frank Allan Smith was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, and went to England at the age of six. He was educated there and went to work at the age of 16 in Bletchley Park, the wartime station where enemy communications were being decoded with the aid of the famous Enigma machine (although he had no knowledge of that until many years later). Returning to Canada in 1948, Frank worked for Alberta Government Telephones (now Telus) in Calgary and Edmonton until retiring in 1983.

He began writing in the 1960s. The theme of the first five books, beginning with Corpse in Handcuffs, was espionage in the Cold War years, but when that came to an end he moved on to police procedurals featuring DCI Neil Paget and DS John Tregalles.

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it - I was a bit confused by the end with the plots twists, but it's a good story.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the dysfunctional family from Bromley Manor are faced with a murder on their premises they hide the truth from Detective Paget and his team. As the investigation continues there are more deaths and there is no clear suspect. Finally, the truth comes out and they solve these murders as well as an old mystery.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

D.C.I. Paget. I really enjoy these traditional police procedurals. How refreshing...no serial killer monologue or torture of women. Recommended for fans of Ian Rankin, Martha Grimes, Peter Robinson, et al.

[Sara]

I like this series. Disappointed at the ending.