Departing Shadows - Tapa dura

DI Christy Kennedy returns in Departing Shadows, a deceit-laden tale of intrigue, which takes him from London to Brighton and back, and into the arms of the West End's most celebrated up-and-coming actress, Nealey Dean. But all's not well in vibrant Camden Town, as Kennedy investigates a death just outside a diplomatic compound, and finds his investigation immediately stymied by the invocation of diplomatic privilege. The deceased, an actress of a different sort, hostess and social media influencer Gabriella Byrne, left behind a world of mystery, where even those who knew her best did not know her well. As Kennedy interviews witnesses and checks alibis, his investigation brings him from London's hallowed palaces of power to seamy gentlemen's clubs, each with smoke and mirrors of their own. Along the way, he discovers just how far some people will go to protect their darkest secrets, in this, the 11th DI Christy Kennedy mystery. About the series: The Christy Kennedy Mysteries are mostly set round and about Camden Town and Primrose Hill. Just as in real police work there is usually more than one crime being investigated in each book. Detective Inspector Christy Kennedy is an Ulsterman living in leafy Primrose Hill and working in vibrant Camden Town. Kennedy loves the art of detection, he's addicted to the puzzle of the crime; it's his only drug. He's a bit of a loner and doesn't socialise a lot. He's clean-cut, dresses well, very well, but he doesn't have a drink problem. Not really a career policeman, he's content to work away while others trip over each other as they leapfrog over him for promotion. He's not bothered about the career ladder at all, as long as the powers that be allow him to get on with solving the crime. Kennedy's around about thirty-eight years old, loves tea and the music of the Beatles, Ray Davies and Jackson Browne and not necessarily in that order. He has recently met Ann Rea whom he considers to be his soul mate. He is desperate for this relationship to work. He has spent his entire life waiting for the someone special to come along and now she has, he feels ill equipped to deal with the politics of love.

Paul Charles was born and raised in Magherafelt in the North of Ireland. He is the author of dozens of critically acclaimed mysteries. He lives in Camden Town with his wife Catherine and divides his time between working in the music business and writing.