Assassins: A British mystery series set in 1920s London (A Paul Stark mystery) - Softcover

Eldridge, Jim

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1780295715 ISBN 13: 9781780295718

Publisher: Severn House, 2017

Synopsis

London, 1921. Prominent Cabinet minister Lord Amersham has been shot dead outside his Regents Park home, two bullets to the chest and one to the forehead. The killing bears the hallmarks of a professional hit.

Tackling one of the most high-profile cases Scotland Yard has ever faced, DCI Paul Stark is under pressure to produce a quick result. Amersham's colleague, Secretary of State for the Colonies Winston Churchill, is convinced the Bolsheviks are responsible. Stark's colleagues at Special Branch believe there's a connection to the Government talks taking place over Irish Home Rule. Or could the motive be connected to Lord Amersham's scandalous private life?

Then there is a second murder, once again committed by an expert marksman at close range - and the case takes a terrifying new twist . . .

About this title

About the Author

Jim Eldridge has had 95 books published, for children and young adults, which have sold over 3 million copies. He is also a radio, TV and movie scriptwriter who has had 250 TV scripts broadcast in the UK and internationally. He lives in Sevenoaks, Kent.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Stark watched Churchill as the Minister studied him for any signs of mockery.
He knows I have no respect for him, thought Stark. He has all the trappings of wealth and position. The son of a long line of aristocrats, Member of Parliament, Minister of State, but inside he is a bully. A chancer, Stark’s Grandmother would have called him.
“I was not going to allow the body of a Peer of the Realm, and Cabinet Minister, to lie on the pavement for everyone to gawk at! Dignity, Chief Inspector! That is what we are talking about here!” With that Churchill turned on his heel and headed for the door, with the words “The Bolsheviks! That’s who you should be looking for!” as his parting shot.
Stark walked through to the dining room, Sergeant Danvers close behind him. Lord Amersham’s body had been laid on the long dark oak table. His hands had been placed on his chest, like a body in repose in a coffin. The image was spoiled by the spatters of mud on his trousers and coat, the blood soaking the upper part of his clothing and matting his grey hair, and the three bullet holes: two in the chest, one in the forehead.
“Three bullets,” mused Stark. “Why? Two in the chest would have done it. Why the face as well? Why take the chance of hanging around after the first one to let off two more shots?”
“A crime of passion? It’s well known that his Lordship was a bit of a … Well, he had an eye for the ladies. Especially married ones, I believe.”
“So, an angry husband? A spurned mistress?”
“That’ll depend on the calibre of the bullets,” said Danvers. “The size of those bullet holes suggest a heavy pistol to me, not a lady’s weapon. Possibly a service revolver.”
Stark nodded.
“Very good,” he said, impressed. “So, a man, then?”
“At first sight. But we’ll need to find out about the bullets.”
Stark studied the body.
“Either the killer wanted to make sure he was dead; or he was very angry. Furiously so. If that was the case, why just three shots? Why not empty the whole chamber into him?”

Edition details

• Publisher: Severn House
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 1780295715
• ISBN 13: 9781780295718
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 256