The Coffin Tree

The Second City of London shimmers in the stultifying heat, and Commander John Coffin tries to maintain law and order in his sprawling bailiwick. His new hand-picked undercover unit--headed by an old flame--is trying to halt a violent money-laundering operation. Two of the investigating officers ar dead, "accidentally" it seems, but Coffin suspects murder. A bizarre fire yields another body, apparently the wife of one of the dead officers. Heat doesn't suit Coffin's Docklands--nor his personal life with his wife, mercurial actress Stella Pinero. But ironically, it is Stella's cool insight and Coffin's own instincts that lead him to a killer. Very enjoyable book, especially if you like books about British police.