The Thing Itself

"The Thing Itself is a mystery that goes back and forth in time.  This story contains a prequel to Peter Gutteridge's previous novels.  It outlines how the "Brighton Trunk Murder" came about.  A man who survived World War One killed and dismembered the body of his mistress because she had become pregnant, and he was sterile due to the Spanish Influenza.

Sarah Gilchrist is still investigating Bernie Grimes, the con that the armed police group had tried to arrest in Milldean earlier.  She has since found out that the young girl she had saved on the beach is Grimes' daughter.  Grimes asks Charlie Laker, another con, to take care of the girls who attacked his daughter.  Charlie has other investments that he needs to take care of as well.

Bob Watts and James Tingley also have unfinished business to attend to.  Watts wants to know about the Brighton Trunk Murder and its connection to his father.  Tingley is after two Balkan murderers.

Watts' father has a stroke and dies.  In his father's papers he discovers notebooks about the Brighton Trunk Murder.  He reads that his father was involved with British fascists in the 30s.  He also finds out about his father's role in the war.  Watts will discover much more in his investigation about the past and present in this thriller by Peter Gutteridge.  An excellent read.