DCI John Blizzard

When an archaeological investigation of an old prisoner of war camp turns up several bodies in unmarked graves, it should be an open and shut case for DCI John Blizzard. But, on a foggy November morning, his instinct that something is not quite right is confirmed when forensics show that while most of the victims died during a flu epidemic after the Second World War, one of the deaths was far more recent. Who is this man? Why was he killed? As Blizzard and his team investigate, they begin to uncover a cruel crime, and a promise of revenge that goes back generations. Worse, the killer is at large and now motivated to strike again. Can Blizzard piece together the puzzle and let old wounds finally heal?

When detective John Blizzard is called to Hafton city cemetery to inspect a recently desecrated grave, he quickly suspects it is something to do with a girl who went missing years before. The grave belongs to the victims of an unsolved murder case, involving members of the family to which the girl belonged. DCI Blizzard is sure that the father was the culprit but previous attempts to bring him to justice had failed. Now a wealthy businessman, Blizzard is still determined to put him under lock and key. Spurred by the recent events, he convinces his divisional commander that the case be reopened. But Blizzard gets more than he bargained for when police probing brings a genuinely feared villain back to the area – a gangster who has always evaded the law and is ready to use any means necessary to do his dirty work. When a new murder is committed, the pressure is on to solve the case. But something is being hidden from the detectives and the clues point to a sinister crime ring that will do anything to evade capture and protect its interests.

Few tears are shed when an ex-boxer and local hard man is found dead in a disused railway signal box. When DCI John Blizzard is called in to investigate, he discovers no shortage of people who would want the bully dead. But getting any of them to come forward proves difficult. Having interrupted the opening day of the public display of a steam engine that DCI Blizzard lovingly helped restore, few are keener than he to see the perpetrator under lock and key. It transpires that the victim once gave a man life-changing injuries with a cruel sucker punch, thus Blizzard's colleagues think they've found a likely suspect. But the veteran detective is not so sure. In fact, the real culprits might be much closer to home. Probing deeper into the web of lies that surrounded the man's life, Blizzard might have to confront unpalatable truths that shatter his nostalgic view of the city's past.