Underwood needs even more than his usual quota of Old Bailey courtroom scenes to fill out this thin plot. On trial: young rowdy Ian Tanner, accused of the accidental but reckless hit-and-run killing of his own buddy. What really happened? is the question asked over and over, and, as almost always with Underwood, the answer involves a ruthless gang, a gang that nearly disposes of yet another victim before bland Detective Constable Patrick Bramley figures it all out. Apparently aware of the paltry texture here, Underwood adds some psychological stewing via an implausible coincidence: the judge in the case is tortured because his own rebellious son is involved with the fringes of the gang. But, despite the customary ease with a variety of English dialects and habitats, this is Underwood at his skimpiest, without even the mildly charming Atwells (Crooked Wood, Murder With Malice) to add some flesh tones. - Kirkus Reviews
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About the Author:
Michael Underwood (the pseudonym of John Michael Evelyn) was born in Worthing, Sussex and educated at Christ Church College, Oxford. He was called to the Bar in 1939 and served in the British army during World War Two. He returned to work in the Department of Public Prosecutions until his retirement in 1976, and wrote almost 50 crime novels informed by his career in the law. His five series characters include Sergeant Nick Atwell and lawyer Rosa Epton, of whom it was said by the Washington Post that she 'outdoes Perry Mason'.
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- PublisherSt. Martin's Press
- Publication date1978
- ISBN 10 0312045220
- ISBN 13 9780312045227
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages223