The Fatal Trip

'Underwood's novels are insidiously hard to put down' Independent

Stephen Burley was standing trial for the theft of £20,000 in cash from his employers, Rickard's Motors.

Detective Sergeant Nick Atwell, the investigating officer in charge of the enquiries, had become uneasy about the case. Burley had fainted in the dock when he was convicted, and Nick interpreted this as another sign of his innocence.

Nick appeals to his young wife, Clare, for help, and on various pretences Clare embarks on some very tricky enquiries of her own ...