In the first of the series of novels, DI Jim Bennett and his team face the perpetual challenge of keeping two warring families apart in Welford, a dysfunctional town in the heart of England. The arrival of a community of gypsies only compounds their problems when, on their first night in town, the daughter of their leader is viciously beaten, leaving her life hanging by a thread. As Jim Bennett investigates, it seems that every low life in town is a suspect, with members of both the Marston and Connelly families being seen in the vicinity. A mystery policeman is also a cause for concern, and an impersonator is possible.
When a young boy goes missing, everyone suspects the Gypsies, and Welford becomes a powder keg, with accusations flying in every direction. An aggravated burglary only contributes to CID’s headaches as the wards of Welford General Hospital accept the growing number of victims.
As the police appeal for witnesses to the snatching of Luke Martin, fire bombings of the homes of the Marston and Connelly families point to the gypsies taking matters into their own hands. Jim knows that he has little time, and this is made even shorter when a young lady is raped in a local park.
When a young boy goes missing, everyone suspects the Gypsies, and Welford becomes a powder keg, with accusations flying in every direction. An aggravated burglary only contributes to CID’s headaches as the wards of Welford General Hospital accept the growing number of victims.
As the police appeal for witnesses to the snatching of Luke Martin, fire bombings of the homes of the Marston and Connelly families point to the gypsies taking matters into their own hands. Jim knows that he has little time, and this is made even shorter when a young lady is raped in a local park.
