A Detective Under Fire

by H.R.F. Keating

Book Overview

The third novel in Keating's Harriet Martens series sees Harriet battle the press, the police, and prejudice as she fights corruption at the highest level.

Harriet Martens, named the 'Hard Detective' by the media, has been secretly summoned to London to investigate corruption in the country's most prestigious crime-fighting team: the Maximum Crimes Squad.

It's far from plain sailing for Harriet. Not only is she opposed at every turn by the head of the Squad, but she is menaced by mysterious figures from its current target, the worldwide Colombian network. Then, as she approaches the truth, she comes under attack from the press.

The police chief who brought Harriet to London believes she can withstand the fire. But can she?

A cerebral police procedural, A Detective Under Fire is the third novel in a series, but works perfectly as a stand-alone novel. It's ideal for all who enjoy sophisticated crime novels, such as those by Alexander McCall Smith, as well as the author's many fans.

Henry Reymond Fitzwalter Keating (1926-2011) was an English author known primarily for his crime fiction, although he also wrote several non-crime novels and reference books, and spent many years as critic of crime fiction for The Times.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0BT2DZGNS
• ISBN13: 9798374973860
• Release Date: January 2023
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 260 Pages
• Weight: 0.57 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.1" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

fascinating police procedural

She started her career in London's Metropolitan Police Force but quickly realized women, in subtle ways, were discriminated against with no chance of advancement. She took a job on the Birchester Police Force and rose up the ranks to become Detective Superintendent. The media find her fascinating, dubbing her the "Hard Detective" because of her strong stance on getting the criminals off the streets and into a cage.She is temporarily assigned by a senior member of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary to investigate the Maximum Crimes Squad. This elite special force of police officers deal with a Columbian drug lord who has just taken over the people smuggling business. Harriet Martens is to see how high up corruption goes in the Max but she faces one obstacle after another as the men and women try to stonewall her.The author has toned down the protagonist's strident speeches thereby making her more approachable and likeable. Her investigative methods are easy to follow and eventually yield results because the heroine is tenacious and determined. A DETECTIVE UNDER FIRE is a very fascinating police procedural in which teamwork and trust in your comrades get the job of placing the criminals behind bars done.Harriet Klausner