Photographer Kate O'Donnell is concerned about the treatment of some her
friends in the building they have flats in. The owner is trying to
push them out, even though their rent is controlled. She turns to DS
Harry Barnard for help. This pair are at odds, but at the same time
sparks are there that they won't admit to.
Barnard does a little investigating to find out who owns the house.
Kate and her roommate, Tess, happen to meet up with the father of one
of her students. The following morning Kate finds out that the man has
been arrested. Is it because he is a black man? The girls are warned
to find another flat, for their own safety.
The father of one of Tess' students is arrested after the police barge
into his house. The family is sure that the police have planted ganja
in the house. Eh is also accused of murdering a white prostitute. Kate
wants to gather evidence that will prove his innocence. She discovers
that the lad is now missing. It leads her to wonder how corrupt the
police in Notting Hill are.
The girls are shocked when they are given an eviction notice, although
they had been expecting it. Meantime, Barnard is quietly investigating
the buyer and seller of the building that the girls are living in. For
his efforts he gets beaten up, not once, but twice; he also finds out
that Kate is threatened.
Author Patricia Hall has written a very good thriller about the racial
tensions and corrupt policing of London in the early 1960s. A very good
read.
No comments:
Post a Comment