This is the 9th book in the very popular Knight & Culverhouse series, although it is my first meeting with the pair of detectives from Mildenheath CID. This team is almost unique in that they should have been moved into the large county headquarters at Milton House a long time ago, but due to having a staunch supporter in the form of Chief Constable Charles Hawes, DCI Jack Culverhouse operates under a high level of autonomy which suits him and his team perfectly. That team, consisting of DS Wendy Knight (his right hand detective), DS's Frank Vine and Steve Wing and DC Debbie Weston, have all worked together for a number of years with a high level of trust and loyalty. Their newest recruit DC Ryan Mackenzie is starting to fit in well. After all, they do seem to get more than their fair share of major crime in the town to deal with. This book starts with a series of armed robberies being carried out on local petrol stations. It looks like the robbers have received inside information, and one suspect is quickly identified but the detectives have absolutely no evidence or proof. Alarmingly events step up a gear when another armed robbery is carried out, this time on an independent jeweller's shop where the elderly lady owner fights back and ends up dead as a result. Certain that once again the gang received help, the focus now turns on themselves as they realise the mole could be a police officer from their station. Grudgingly Culverhouse is forced to hand things over to Professional Standards but he can't help trying to investigate as well. When it looks like an old nemesis of his might be involved he is determined to get to the truth. With a new ambitious PCC breathing down all their necks, the pressure is really on to prove their worth and secure the future of Mildenheath CID. Culverhouse is very old school in his job, and Knight seems very laid back, particularly as she is more settled in her home life with Xav, although she does occasionally rein her boss in when he gets a bit too much. Culverhouse does swear a lot, even at his own staff. I think a number of readers might find that there are too many "f" and "c" words for their liking (I certainly couldn't give this to my mother!). But at home, trying to care for his troubled teenage daughter after her varied life with his ex-wife, and with the steadying influence of his school headmistress girlfriend, we see a softer side to him, and he is actually starting to get it right! Overall a very enjoyable police procedural with a good, albeit shocking, ending. It has certainly made me want to read the rest of the series and catch up on their previous adventures. 4.5*