Learning Curve (Sloan & Crosby 24)

Much-loved Calleshire research chemist Derek Tridgell has been ill for some time. On his deathbed, his incessant, but unintelligible mutterings culminate in a very clear cry of foul murder. Detective Inspector Sloan and Detective Constable Crosby are brought in to investigate whether these are just the ramblings of a man at death's door, or a real confession at the final hour. Their enquiries uncover three tragic deaths that may or may not be linked to the deceased's last words: an accidental drowning at a rival chemist manufacturer; an old friend of Derek's killed in a caving expedition whose body was never retrieved; Derek's son Paul walking away unscathed from a fatal car accident that killed one and left others irrevocably injured. With a tight-lipped Paul knowing more than he's letting on, Sloan and Crosby have their work cut out if they're going to untangle this complex case ...

CATHERINE AIRD is the author of more than twenty crime novels and short story collections, most of which feature Detective Chief Inspector CD Sloan. She holds an honorary MA from the University of Kent and was made an MBE. Her other works include Amendment of Life and Little Knell. She lives in a village in East Kent. Apart from writing the successful Chronicles of Calleshire she has also written and edited a series of village histories a son et lumiere and a video. Catherine is the 2015 winner of the Crime Readers Association, Diamond Dagger award.