Smoke gets in your eyes.

 

The First Inspector Vignoles mystery.

 

It is March 1946, and the realities of austerity living are hitting home. The railways are falling apart, the rationing is worsening ... and black-marketeers are at work.

Detective Inspector Vignoles of the L.N.E. Railway Detective Department, believes he’s making good progress tracking a gang of money counterfeiters; but when two young cleaners from Woodford Halse engine shed make a startling discovery, everything spirals out of control, becoming ever deadlier by the hour.

The Inspector struggles to understand the darkening situation, and like the smoke from the grimy engines that gets in his eyes, his judgment becomes clouded. But he cannot afford to make a mistake - a woman’s life may depend upon it!

This is the first ‘Inspector Vignoles Mystery’, and will appeal to all lovers of classic crime fiction, in the mould of Simenon, Dexter and Leon. Set deep in the rolling countryside of Nothants & Leicestershire amidst the ironstome villages, the shunting yards and engine sheds of the railway; filled with the sight and sound of steam locomotives, and the valve radio playing Glenn Miller ...

 

 

"It would be nice to see Inspector Vignoles join the likes of Morse and Wexford in the expanding ranks of literary sleuths"

RP, British Railway Modelling, October 2008

 

 

“I love it! A real page-turner.”

-Brian Reade, Daily Mirror

 

 

“On the right track for literary success...”

- Peter Elson, Liverpool Daily Post

 

 

“Move over Aidensfield, the new Heartbeat could be here!”

- Kat Baldwyn, Daventry Post

 

 

Published: Hastings Press 2007

Reprinted 2008 - last few copies!

Fully revised second editon due Spring 2010.

ISBN: 978-1-904109-17-4

278pp

Paperback