Shroud of Evil

DI Andy Horton is not impressed when he is tasked with gathering information on a missing man; a task a uniform could have looked after.  But, what DCI Bliss wants, DCI Bliss gets.  When the missing man's car is found, but nothing of the man, Horton's interest is piqued further.

A few hours later, Horton is called out to the Isle of Wight where the body of the missing man has been found, on a private beach of the powerful Lord Eames.  Interestingly, the body is wrapped in a sail.  Could the victim's death have anything to do with the case he was investigating?

The pathologist, Gaye Clayton, tells Horton that the victim had been shot by a pistol crossbow at close range.  Horton is surprised when he is told by his superiors that the investigation will be kept low key, but not surprised when he is told that Lord Eames has had some influence on that decision.  There are many things about the case that cause questions for Horton.

The next surprise comes when it is discovered that the victim's car entered the location where it was found after he was dead!  The murder of the first victim's client in the same fashion leads Horton to believe that there is more to this case than he originally thought.

Author Pauline Rowson has created a thriller, which leaves the reader wondering what's going on and where you are being led.  A very good read, and hard to put down.