The Value of Nothing

Inspector Whittaker Mysteries #2

by T.C. Blyth

Relieved to move past the sensational murder case that echoed Jack the Ripper, Detective Inspector Dean Whittaker wants nothing more than to spend time with a certain Duke, even if it means mingling with the upper class of London. Despite his discomfort in such society, as far from his own humble origins as could be, Whittaker is willing to dress the part of a mere friend if it means he can keep company with the Duke of Castledown.

Then what begins as a simple investigation into smuggling threatens to upend Whittaker's world. A brawl at the docks is followed by a devastating fire and leads Whittaker and his fellow detectives through narrow, twisting alleys to a confrontation with a man Whittaker had hoped never to see again.

Confronted with his past in the worst way imaginable, Whittaker is forced to face his deepest fears and question whether or not he’s the right man to stand at the Duke of Castledown’s side. But first he has to solve the case, stop dead bodies from turning up, and prevent the Duke from getting involved, because the last thing he wants is for Hart to end up in danger because of who Whittaker is.

282 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 26, 2026

About the author

T.C. Blyth lives and writes in Alberta, Canada, and has written numerous romance novels under the pseudonym Tamara Clarke. “The Nature of Truth” is T.C. Blyth’s first murder mystery.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detective Whittaker is back and this time he is investigating smuggling which brings him into the orbit of his father. Also one night he meets a young boy, Oscar who Whittaker takes under his wing and takes him to live at his boarding house. The boy turns out to be a cute kid.
The Duke is also still on the scene and I really like their relationship.