Death's Door

DI Peter Shaw has been called out to a suspicious death of a woman by his DS, George Valentine.  Initially it appeared to be a suicide. However, the head of forensics, Tom Hadden, has discovered a kiss on the outside of the woman’s window.  What is the significance of that?

Shaw and Valentine are also working a cold case at the same time.  Valentine discovers that one of the names on the list that they have is the victim of the supposed suicide.  She had been contacted a week earlier about the reopening of the case.

The pathologist discovers a cyanide pill lodged in the back of her teeth.  The pill is fast acting.  Later, the pathologist tells Shaw that the cyanide pill had been forcefully crushed in her mouth by someone else.

DNA tests provide nothing on the cold case.  The pathologist suggests to Shaw that the concentrate on the dead woman and not the cold case, because on the same day that she had been murdered, an old man had died in a gas explosion at home.  She found evidence of cyanide in him.

When another body is found, badly burned in the nearby woods, Shaw is able to smell cyanide in the mouth.  The victim doesn’t seem to have any connection to the other two, but with the use of maps, Shaw’s wife shows that he could.

With a few suspects in mind, Shaw and Valentine maintain a vigorous investigation, but as each is eliminated they have only one suspect left, but DNA evidence eliminates him. 

Author Jim Kelly has written a gripping murder thriller, which will leave the reader wondering if there are going to be more victims.  He also provides a number of surprises in the closing pages.  A thoroughly enjoyable read.