Publisher's Synopsis
All five books in 'Kind Hearts And Martinets', a series of mystery novels by Pete Adams, now available in one volume!
Cause And Effect: Meet Detective Inspector Jack Austin, a self-proclaimed enigma who runs the Community Police Unit from his deck chair. Despite his mental health struggles, Austin has a knack for solving crimes, even if they're as minor as bicycle theft. But when he stumbles upon a malevolent scheme after investigating the case of an executed police officer, he must use his wits and stay sane to uncover the culprit behind it all.
Irony In The Soul: After recovering from his last mission, Detective Inspector Jack Austin clashes with his new Chief Constable, a retired colonel. When the Constable is kidnapped and dismembered, Austin investigates a series of cryptic murders that includes a beheaded minister, a drowned woman and some terrorists. As he works to solve the cases, Austin is plagued by an inner conflict that could push him to become a conspirator himself. Can he catch the perpetrator before it's too late?
A Barrow Boy's Cadenza: DCI Jack Austin is back after surviving a terrorist explosion, a tutu incident, and a night of celebratory drinking. Now, he's proposed an alliance with a newly-turned criminal informant. After a string of high-profile murders, Austin goes deep undercover and uncovers a villainous scheme that threatens the Star Chamber. In a world turned upside down, Austin needs to rely on his courage, skill, and improbable luck to bring the perpetrators of the far-reaching scheme to justice.
Ghost And Ragman Roll: Jack's honeymoon in France takes an unexpected turn as he's dragged into a string of misdeeds, and upon returning to Portsmouth, he finds himself dealing with an ambitious new detective who threatens his territory and his ego. But when a corpulent gangster disappears and a banker is murdered in Paris, Austin takes matters into his own hands, employing illogically effective tactics to solve the case and protect those he cares about.
Merde And Mandarins: DCI Jack Austin comes out of retirement to investigate a series of targeted attacks on high-ranking civil servants in London, including the Defense and Home Office Secretaries. When his wife is kidnapped, Austin must balance the rescue mission with solving the case and uncovering the motives of the master conspirator. As the investigation leads to a chaotic conclusion, Austin must use all of his skills to uncover the supreme Machiavellian plot and find solace in a welcome retirement.
