The Pimlico Murder (Blitz Detective Book 6)
This is the sixth in the Blitz Detective series set in London in World War Two, featuring Detective Inspector John Jago of London’s East End police. This time, he is seconded to investigate a murder in the Pimlico part of west London. Taking his regular assistant Detective Constable Peter Cradock with him, Jago examines the newly discovered body of Terry Watson in an Anderson shelter in the garden of the small house where he lodged, and embarks upon the hunt for the murderer. With the killing taking place around Armistice Day, and with two white poppies found upon Watson’s body, Jago reflects upon his experiences of death and injury in the Great War. Watson’s rather murky background emerges as the investigation proceeds and witnesses are interviewed and suspects emerge.
The snail-pace platonic friendship with the American journalist Dorothy Appleton continues with near-imperceptible progress as Jago seems unable to commit to her or to fully accept or recognise the intense feelings he has for her. The author writes with precision and narrative ability, and the fundamental decency and lonely vulnerability of the character of DI Jago continues to appeal; he is a good man trying to tackle the bad behaviour of Londoners during a time when the whole country is under threat of German invasion and with the added peril of nightly bombing. Mike Hollow has performed his historical research with diligence and creates an authentic-looking portrait of wartime London—fully recommended as well-written excellent historical fiction.
