Professor Helen Vaughan is found bludgeoned to death in her City Hospital office. Superintendent Roger Tyrrell and his two detective inspectors Mark Sinclair and Sarah Prescott find that the Professor's private life is shrouded in mystery, and videos found in a locked room in her apartment point to S&M activities.

Some of the Professor's colleagues have reason to wish her harm, and as the two inspectors investigate Helen Vaughan's early life they realise, that too, has contributed to her tangled life. As the investigation proceeds the two detectives Sarah and Mark commence on a close personal relationship.

There is a recurring theme in Peter Conway's recent books of incest and corporal punishment. This combined with a complex involved story which includes quite a few interviews with colleagues and former associates, some with similar names that can cause confusion if you're not alert, makes for an interesting and rewarding read.

Geoff Jones, England
June 2008