James Benn, a former librarian, continues his series of WWII mysteries featuring Billy Boyle, a former Boston police detective. A Mortal Terror finds Billy and his team in Italy around the time of the Anzio landings. A lieutenant and a captain are found murdered, the former holding a 10 of hearts (playing card) and the latter holding a jack of hearts.
Boyle suspects that a major will be next with a queen, then a colonel, then a general to fill out the royal flush. Who will be the next victims? Can he prevent their deaths? What are the relationships all about? Is Billy’s kid brother a potential victim or hostage to prevent Boyle from further investigations? Not only is Boyle up against a clever killer/sociopath, but also the German army.
A real good page turner. If you have never read books by James Benn, start now. I suggest that you read them in order.
GO! BUY! READ!
–Jim Harris, retired sales rep
One Nightstand is an NWBL reader-fueled feature, and you can be a contributor, too. Simply click the “Tell us what you’re reading” button in the sidebar and share your thoughts on the book on your stack right now.