‘Deadly Protocol’ by Roger Corke

Published by Diamond Crime,
10 September 2024.
ISBN: 978-1-91564940-9 (PB

When Dr Veronica Ackerman was offered a post-doctoral contract at the Lipman Institute in London, it was the chance of a lifetime to leave Boston and escape the mess her life had become since Michael had left her. 

Whilst her welcome from the other post-docs at the institute was distinctly cold, she was still elated to be working with Professor Hasley Stone, the world’s greatest living lung cancer expert. But after four weeks of constant resentment from her so-called colleagues she hated the place. Then Hasley Stone returned from Trinidad and invited her to have dinner with him, and one thing led to another, and now here she was in his house, and he was dead, lying roasted in his sauna with his skull caved in.  In a panic she tries to remember what she has touched and starts frantically wiping everything, also clearing away the dishes she had used. All she can think of is, if she is found there, she will be suspect number one for his murder and her career will be over. Of course, later when she has left the house, she calms down and realises that leaving might not have been the smartest move. 

London is currently experiencing rioting from the British Union of Patriots, a far-right organisation. Caught up in one of these riots, is journalist Daniel Plowright is stabbed, but luckily is unharmed as he was wearing a stab vest under his shirt. 

At the two o’clock Press conference that Hasley Stone’ was to be speaking at, Laura Sellars, his PA, introduces Ronnie to Daniel, where she learns something that surprises her.

The story is rich in well-fleshed out characters, including Detective Chief Inspector Alice Mahoney, who works at Scotland Yard, and who we learn is Daniel Plowright’s ex. We also hear more of the dead man, Hasley Stone, a good man, with a long list of achievements. A Nobel prize winner and a top scientist in cancer research, who would want to kill him? And why? 

DCI Alice Mahoney ‘s investigation into the murder of Hasley Stone turns up evidence that leads Alice to
suspect that the murder of  Hasley Stone and the attempted killing of Daniel Plowright could be linked. But why?

It’s a gem of a book. You are into the story on the first page. The more I read the more I asked myself, who would want to destroy Stone’s cure for cancer? 

Brilliantly plotted with many twists and turns make this a compelling read. Also incredibly and frighteningly thought provoking. Not to be missed. Most highly recommended.
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Reviewer Lizzie Sirett

Roger Corke is a TV journalist who has travelled the world producing and directing documentaries for flagship current affairs series like the BBC's Panorama, Channel 4's Dispatches and ITV's World in Action and Tonight. That experience was invaluable in writing his first crime thriller and it was a chance conversation with a scientist whilst on a filming trip in America that led him to devise the plot for Deadly Protocol.