David Thacker

A conscientious objector dies in police custody, setting in motion a series of suspicious deaths and a complicated puzzle for Foyle. When Foyle has pieced together the truth, the entry of Italy into the war engulfs a close friend in tragedy.

Thomas Rice, known as The Gambler, was jailed for murdering five women in the late 1980s. So when a stalker begins to harass the only living victim of the jailed serial killer, Boyd reinvestigates his pet theory that Thomas had a partner, who is still on the loose.

Harry Newman is an old man, dying in a London nursing home. When he makes deathbed confession of twelve separate 'unauthorized killings', the Cold Case Team are called onto the trail of a suspected serial killer and his executioner. They embark on an investigation to discover the facts surrounding the deaths of each of the names on Harry's deathbed list.

Revenge for a fatal miscarriage of justice in the early 60s seems to be behind the execution of the members of the jury. Boyd seeks help from the former investigating officer. They dig up Frank's body from Bethnal Green cemetery, to match DNA. Forensic work reveals that the body is not Frank's. So who is it? And where is Frank Sutton?

The team's quest to find the murderer is leading them further up the political ladder. Government secrecy does not make their life easy. Pressure is applied from above as Boyd closes on his quarry. Grace tries to urge Boyd to be cautious but he ignores her and risks his career to get to the truth.