Old sins cast long shadows…

When the bodies of a young, homeless girl and a girl who disappeared thirty years ago are found on the same day, residents in the historic city of York are aghast. It seems unlikely the two cases are related, and yet some of the same players knew both victims. As Detective Chief Inspector John Shadow and his eager new partner, Sergeant Jimmy Chang, dive into their investigation, they uncover a complicated web of pop stars, pub owners, shopkeepers and old school friends who each have something to hide. John Shadow is a man of contradictions. A solitary figure who shuns company, but is a keen observer of all he meets. A lover of good food, but whose fridge is almost always empty. He prefers to work alone and is perpetually trying to dodge his partner, who’s full of energy, modern ideas and theories. But as the two men gradually learn to work together to solve the case, it’s clear that the past is never as far away as you think.

Jon is the most powerful psychic Reader in the country–and unanchored, which is rather a problem. The bigger problem? Finding an anchor. And Jon doesn’t think his must-have list is too crazy. It’s just rather hard for a man to have:

1) the patience of a saint (for when Jon kills electronics, ’cause that’s a daily thing)2) the ability to keep up with his schedule (the cases are crazy, not going to lie)3) the protect instincts of a superhero4) muscles (this one’s more of a want, honestly)

You can see why Jon’s kinda given up on getting an anchor as that’s a tall order. At least, until Donovan Havili entered the room.

Holy beejeezus, his dream anchor is real?!

Tags:Companionable snark, Flirting, Kissing, Jon needs a hug, Donovan gives the best hugs, Getting together, Self-esteem issues, Random shooting, Which Donovan isn’t happy about, Donovan is a gentleman, Sort of, Jon just makes it REALLY REALLY HARD Okay?, Bisexual character, Public displays of affection, Muscles, Communication, Healthy relationships, The fluff might kill you, Supernatural elements, Modern with Magic, Feels, All the Feels, Mostly accurate medical stuff, Multiple electronics died in the creation of this story, blame Jon

“Steed's style warm and chatty, the pace bracing” - Kirkus Reviews

Peter Marklin, owner of a Toy Emporium, finds his quiet life harshly interrupted when a collection of antique toys, worth over £20,000, is stolen. Faced with threats from their owner, he sets out to recover them but finds himself up against far more than the greed of unscrupulous collectors.

He’s in way over his head but at least the prospect of a countryside dig to excavate the remains of a crashed Spitfire can provide a little solace. Yet even this isn’t easy, and a growing resistance to the dig is being led by a local, indignant landlord.

When rather more than the plane and its pilot are unearthed, Marklin finds himself up to his neck in skeletons from the past — skeletons that lead to attempts on his life …

Tinplate is a classic mystery story from as master of the genre.

Winner of the Crime Writers’ Association John Creasy Memorial Award, 1987.

Neville Steed

is the pseudonym of Norman Keith Sharam. He worked in advertising before setting up his own advertising agency. After six years he sold the business to become a novelist. He lives in Devon.

Tin Plate

is the first book in the Peter Marklin mystery series.