Blackstone and the Great War

World War I, the Western Front: murder thrives in the fields of death, but can a former soldier intervene?

The last thing Inspector Sam Blackstone wants to do is investigate the murder of a young lieutenant on the Western Front, but, an ex-soldier himself, he owes a debt to the dead man’s grandfather. So, when the old man makes a tearful appeal, Blackstone can’t refuse.

When he arrives at the front line, however, it soon becomes clear that he’s completely out of his depth. The officers resent the presence of a retired sergeant who will not take orders, and the enlisted men refuse – or perhaps do not dare – to talk.

As thousands are slaughtered around him, Blackstone struggles to solve one of the most difficult cases of his career. Who would kill such a popular officer? Why does no one seem inclined to find the culprit? And do some of his ‘comrades’ want to see Blackstone dead, too?

Blackstone and the Great War is the ninth of Sally Spencer’s Inspector Blackstone books and will appeal to that series’ many fans. However, it’s also a great stand-alone read for anyone who enjoys World War I fiction and murder mysteries.

Praise for Blackstone and the Great War:

‘Trench warfare takes a back seat to class warfare as Scotland Yard Inspector Blackstone (Blackstone and the Wolf of Wall Street, 2010, etc.) tracks a murderer. … It’s great fun to watch the thorny Inspector sass the fatuousness out of snobbery.’ – Kirkus Reviews

ʻThis is an unusual first world war story as it brings civilian and military personnel together at the front line. Describing in quite authentic detail what it was like at the front line it brings in several complex characters and a plot which is cleverly woven together.' – Amazon review

‘Spencer once again delivers the goods in this carefully researched and atmospheric novel. … Thoroughly recommended.’ – Amazon review

Sally Spencer has worked as a teacher both in England and Iran – where she witnessed the fall of the Shah. She now lives in Spain and writes full-time. Having once been an almost fanatical mah-jong player, she is now obsessed with duplicate bridge.

Blackstone and the Great War is the ninth in Spencer’s series of books featuring Inspector Sam Blackstone, but she is also the author of the successful Chief Inspector Woodend mysteries and the DCI Monika Paniatowski series.