The assault came without warning. Three terror attacks that sent shock waves through London, triggering plans to evacuate the Royal Family.
Police, politicians and the security services are left scrabbling for answers. When a previously unknown group claims responsibility the mystery deepens.
This is the dramatic back drop to the most challenging investigation yet undertaken by autistic crime solver, Jonathan Roper, and his mentor and friend, Chief Inspector Brian Hooley. The pair are the detectives Scotland Yard turns to when all else fails.
Before long they are sucked into the case and are about to discover they will face challenges that will test them to the limit.
To have any chance of success they are going to need every ounce of Hooleyβs policing know-howβ¦ but above all they will need Roper at his brilliant best.
His autism has given him savant like qualities that enable him to spot things others miss and make intuitive leaps before anyone else realises there are connections.
These qualities make him a superb investigator, but he lacks social skills and can be a complex man to deal with. Heβs already been on the brink of being thrown out of Scotland Yard because he has managed to put so many backβs up.
Hooley can see past the problems to the special detective underneath but, as his father always told him, βthereβs no such thing as a free lunch.β
The veteran DCI has to ride some intense personal observations as he helps the younger man stay on track.
It is this βspecial relationshipβ that makes the Roper series stand out. It provides unexpected warmth and genuine humour at even the darkest moments.
But this time it emerges that fate has a few nasty surprises in store for Brian Hooley. Not only does he need to support Roper, his own health will become an issue that sets the clock ticking.
The investigation also sees Hooley and Roper running a new team, unofficially dubbed the βOdd Bodsβ and introduces two new investigators that Roper is championing. ..M.F