The Reckoning

London, 1813 and a killer is targeting young women, all of whom have been mutilated.

Bow Street Runner Matthew Hawkwood is summoned to an open grave adjacent to a hospital. In the pouring rain he is at first inclined to pay little heed to the discovery of a corpse until he realises that the body is fresh and is that of a young woman. What is more, there are circumstances that arouse his suspicions that the death may be more than it at first appears. A post-mortem examination reveals strange carvings on the body and although his superiors at the Home Office are inclined to be dismissive, Hawkwood continues to investigate. Further enquiries show that other female corpses have been discovered in a similar fashion and it seems that someone is targeting prostitues.

So begins another case for Hawkwood, recently returned from adventures in France and America. Hawkwood, the former soldier ( with the 95th Rifle Brigade) turns to his underworld contacts to help with his investigations, but the case takes on a far more sinister - and dangerous - aspect, when a cover up at the highest levels is supected.

Yet another cracking good story from this author. One that rattles along at breakneck speed, with lots of action and excellent dialogue. I've read every one of this series and they get better each time. It's Sharpe as a copper, as a comparison, and very good indeed.