Absolution

In 1984 PC Alan McAlpine has been given the task of sitting near the hospital bed of a young woman who has had acid splashed in her face.  She is in a coma, and Alan's DCI Graham wants him to be near when she regains consciousness.

McAlpine searches the woman's bedsit and possessions to try to find something out about her, but there is nothing.  As he waits by her side he tries to get to know her, which is against police procedure.  He is pulled from the case by Graham.  Later Interpol identifies her, and provides the fact that she was involved in a diamond heist.  The question is, where are the missing diamonds?

By 2006 McAlpine has reached the rank of DCI.  The body of a woman has been found in a crucifix form, and eviscerated.  This is the second such murder in a very short time.  Now he finds himself back in the old station where he had been involved in the original inquiry.  Memories flood back.

DI Colin Anderson, DS Winifred Costello and DC Vik Mulholland have been assigned to McAlpine's team.  Anderson and Costello have worked with McAlpine in the past, however Mulholland isn't impressed.  His wealthy background gives him arrogance.

During McAlpine's investigation he comes across a minister who knew the victim of the 1984 acid attack.  It brings memories and demons tumbling back.

It is a dark and stormy night when the third body is found.  McAlpine gives Costello quiet orders to investigate a prime suspect.  He wants the others on the team focussing on other matters for the time being.  An attempt is made on McAlpine's wife, fortunately she survives the attack.  From that point on, author Caro Ramsay speeds up the action taking the reader to the ultimate and surprising conclusion.  An excellent read, hard to put down.