No Precious Truth

Nickson (the Simon Westow mysteries) delivers a sturdy historical series launch set in his native Leeds. In 1941, Leeds copper Cathy Marsden has just been transferred to the police force’s Special Investigation Branch, which is dedicated to investigating “big crimes that involve the army.” While SIB’s focus is overseas, there’s plenty on the home front to keep them busy, including war deserters running black market rackets. One day, Cathy’s older brother, security service officer Daniel, brings her a different kind of case. Daniel has been assigned to an MI5 committee that turns German spies captured on British soil into double agents. One such turncoat, Jan Minuit, has escaped his British supervisors and is reportedly headed for Leeds, possibly to complete his original mission: destroying facilities crucial to the Allied war effort, including a bomber factory. In the midst of tracing Minuit, Cathy is assigned a murder case in her SIB capacity, which may connect to her and Daniel’s hunt. As always, the author’s meticulous period detail and tender character development help this rise above similar fare. Here’s hoping Nickson has another long-running series on his hands. (Apr.)