The Spy Within

Reviewers said:

 

"Five stars! Delightfully entertaining, rich characters, suspenseful, charming all in one; anxiously awaiting the next one!"

 

"a fascinating tale set in England in the 1930s. This 'cosy crime' novel... is a good read; something to entertain and satisfy... The settings and period detail are excellent…The denouement is swift, tense and satisfying…"

 

"Dottie Manderson is a gorgeous character…A great read and I'm looking forward to catching up with more of Dottie."

 

When Dottie gives new beau Gervase Parfitt his marching orders because of his recent appalling behaviour, she doesn't realise that very soon, she will be pleading with him to take her back, just so she can help old flame Inspector William Hardy with an investigation.

Gervase may be pompous and annoying, but surely he's not actually BAD, is he? Dottie can hardly believe what she's been told. But meeting some of the people he has wronged, she becomes determined to succeed in making sure that justice is served.

 

Extract from The Spy Within:

 

Mrs Sedgworth knew she had called the right person. She looked over her shoulder to make sure she was alone, and dropping her voice, she said, 'Please help me, Mr Parfitt. I've had an accident with my car. I-I've hit someone. I rather think he may be dead.'

Parfitt was with her in less than fifteen minutes. His calm manner and gentle understanding soothed her. Guiltily, she realised that in the past she had rather snubbed him, but in a crisis, he was clearly admirable. She made a mental note, when this awful evening was over, to make sure to invite him to her next dinner party.

'Oh, Mr Parfitt! He came out of nowhere, I just didn't know what to do, or where to turn.'

He smiled gravely at her. 'There, there, Mrs Sedgworth,' he said, scenting the alcohol on her. 'Don't distress yourself. Unfortunately these things do happen from time to time, nobody's fault, a dark lane, late at night. Only to be expected.'

'And is he really…?'

'Just leave it to me, Mrs Sedgworth. Try not to think about it.'

'Oh it's just terrible! What on earth will I tell my husband? What about the police?' That sudden thought alarmed her. She clutched at Gervase's jacket. 'I can't go to prison! I just can't!' Her voice was rising in panic.

He fought down the urge to slap her, and said with another of his grave smiles, 'My dear Mrs Sedgworth, just you leave it all to me. I am the police, after all. And I know you didn't mean it to happen. Just leave everything to me, and I promise, no one will ever hear a word of it from me. There's nothing to worry about.'

'Oh Mr Parfitt, you're so kind,' she said, and began to cry.

Repressing a shudder, he handed her a handkerchief. 'There, there, my dear. I'll take you home presently. But first I need to speak with the farmer, to use his phone.'

'Oh he's not at home,' Mrs Sedgworth said. 'Just his wife and son.'

'I believe I saw him go in the back door a moment ago. Never you mind about that, anyway, come and sit in my car and keep warm, and I'll be back in moment.'

'Oh Mr Parfitt!' she said again. She felt so grateful. He was the perfect person to help her out of this awful mess. He was after all, the assistant chief constable.