The Enemy Within

It is early November and a woman's body has been found under the prepared bonfire by a couple of boys.  DS Monkia Paniatowski has been called by the duty sergeant to investigate.  Chief Inspector Charlie Woodend has also been contacted.  The bonfire explodes into flames just after Woodend arrives.  He is fortunate enough to drag the body free.

Paniatowski discovers from the new pathologist, Dr Shastri, that the victim was suffering from cancer, and many not have had long to live.  She takes DI Bob Rutter with her to the home of the victim.  There they discover that the victim had been on the game for the past year.

Woodend and Paniatowski are convinced that the killer was trying to show the police that he is better than them.  It is possible, in their minds, that he will strike again.  And he does; this time the young woman is laid out beside a prepared bonfire that has been lit before its time.  Dr, Shastri informs Paniatowski that this victim also was suffering from cancer.

A third victim is found beside a blazing bonfire.  The local newspaper editor informs Woodend that is his wife, and she was suffering from cancer, too.  The bonfire had been guarded by two constables who where knocked unconscious, but not harmed in any other way.  Why?  It is while speaking to the editor the following morning that another inspector arrives at the house and arrests the stepson of the editor for all three murders.  Woodend is convinced that this is wrong.  He needs to find the true killer or his job is done.

Author Sally Spencer has written an intriguing murder mystery that provides a few surprises right at the end.  A very good read.