Sat, Jan 3, 2004
Dalziel and Pascoe investigate the murder of Nancy D'Amato whose body is found by a squad of soldiers on training. She was an American tourist who was traveling alone and may have been drugged before she was beaten to death. It's determined that Nancy was seen at a pub with two young soldiers from the nearby military training base, one of whom subsequently commits suicide. Nancy's husband Gus, a Boston homicide detective, arrives and isn't pleased with the way the investigation is being handled. Andy is quite pleased as he gets the opportunity to work with DS Jenny Ettrick, an old flame. However, she was once married to one of the witnesses in the case and may be hiding a conflict of interest. When the second soldier is killed, suspicion falls on his brutish sergeant but the detectives must return to basics when they realize they made a serious error from the outset.
Sat, Jan 10, 2004
After a blow-up with a kidnapping suspect during a formal interview, Dalziel goes on a fortnight's enforced leave leaving him to ponder whether he will return at all. DI Pascoe and DS Milligan look into the death of Efrona Davis, whose body is washed up on shore. She had a date after work the previous evening with Gavin Oldham, who has gone missing. Unfortunately, the DCI assigned to the case is preoccupied with a diamond robbery. Efrona was part of a reality TV talent competition and was hoping to have a career in show business. With Dalziel's return to duty, the investigation focuses on Rowan Priestly, a has-been comedian who organized the talent show and Julian Finch who had recently become Efrona's agent. The case turns out to be more complex than first imagined when they establish links to another major investigation.
Sat, Jan 17, 2004
Charlie Walker has escaped from police custody and is the object of a massive police manhunt. Andy just happens to be in the area and spends the night in a local pub when his car breaks down. The pub is owned by Walker's parents-in-law but he was convicted of murdering their daughter so they don't want much of anything to do with him. When one of the pub's barmaids, Sally Craig, is found mauled to death, Dalziel, now joined by Pascoe and DS Milligan, investigate. Sally was having a fling with a local dog breeder whose wife had recently told her to stay away from her husband but she was also the key witness against Walker at his trial.
Sat, Jan 24, 2004
Andy Dalziel is not a happy man. He's been told that he's on his last operational case and will soon be moved to a desk job. He's feeling his age and is worried about his future to the point where he is suffering from severe insomnia. The police have a puzzler on their hands. The autopsy of a man found dead reveals a two-year old bullet from an AK-47 lodged in his spine. When Richard Mattis returns from Russia having successfully negotiated a major contract for the family-owned shoe company, he also brings home his lovely interpreter, Natalia. When Richard is found killed, Andy is convinced there has to be a connection between the two cases.