DI Mike Lockyer has an autistic brother. He also has a failed marriage. The wedding ring on a chain round his neck is a constant reminder of the latter, while his visits to his brother’s care home remind him that life can be extremely unfair at times. When a serial killer strikes in his South London patch, Lockyer is helpless to prevent the murders adopting a collision course with his personal life. He is appalled when his daughter is linked with the case, but his dismay is compounded when a clue to the murderer’s identity is found in his brother’s room.

Jeremy Megraw found this debut novel “heartfelt, riveting, and as suspenseful as they come.” He was particularly impressed by the way in which the mystery of autism was strongly bound in with the plot, and the full review (here) reminds us that book was longlisted for the CWA Debut Dagger Award.