Packs quite a bit of plot and psychological observation in a short police procedural. Inspector Finch is called in to a murder case: a young man dead from a blow on the head, found in an abandoned house. Ray has criminal friends, and a gay lover who fears blackmail, and a sum of money is missing. The evidence could point in several directions. An elderly neighbour who may have seen something becomes a second victim, and Finch must hurry to solve the case before there is a third murder. Thomson uses several different points of view to tell the story, which adds colour and interest to the case. Finch's interest in the new pathologist, Marion Greave, and a surprise ending make this mystery one of her better ones. ( )