‘Rough Justice’ by Simon Dinsdale

Published by Sharpe Books,
24 July 2024.
ISBN: 979-833392490-2 (PB)

Detective Superintendent Christian Dane was in a meeting called by Assistant Chief Constable Caroline Wix when he receives a call from Sergeant Bob Soanes that he has been called to the Florida Motel on the A12, as the management have found the body of a guest tied up in his room. It looks as though he strangled himself for sexual gratification.  But Soanes says ‘It doesn’t look right’.  He is booked in under the name of ‘Smith’. But the car parked outside belongs to Detective Chief Superintendent Parr, who retired a few years ago. 

Pauline Rose, forensic crime scene manager, says that Parr is trussed up in away that caused him to seemingly strangle himself, but leaving him no safe way of releasing himself.  This looks like murder. 

The death of Colin Parr unlocks a huge investigation into sexual abuse of young children in a state home.  

The team that Dane finds himself leading in Essex is disorganised and possibly corrupt. Coupled with the problems he in encountering with Assistant Chief Constable Caroline Wix, a willowy blonde fiercely ambitious, who had arrived recently from the Met, and had taken an instant dislike to Dane. 

Dane soon finds that he has problems within his new team.  One officer appears to be leaking information to Angus Boyd, a tabloid journalist. But which of his team is doing it? The only person Dane can totally trust is Detective Constable Hayley Cross; a skilled detective he brings in to help and watch his back.

As the investigation digs deeper into the life of Colin Parr more comes to light, and Dane realises that the abuse of young children is widespread. Meanwhile four more men have been found murdered in the same way as Parr.

Dane realises he is hunting a killer who is targeting people linked to Parr and a defunct children’s home. Following a trail leads Dane to France and from there he realises just how widespread the poison is.

On happier note he and his partner Chief Superintendent Vicky Needham are now living together, although she is currently commuting to her job in Cambridge. 

This is an intense novel, that explores a difficult subject. A compelling read.
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Reviewer Lizzie Sirett 

Simon Dinsdale served twelve years with the British army in the 1970’s before joining Essex police in 1980. He spent 30 years in the police eventually achieving the rank of Detective Superintendent. Over his career he led over a hundred major investigations. He now writes, travels and speaks about his experiences. He lives in Essex.