A Preacher is run down on the by-pass, a Right Reverend falls under the London Express; a fisherman drowns in the canal. Accident suicide, or murder? Inspector Walter Darriteau of Chester police doesn't believe in coincidences. His doubts are confirmed with another killing. Maggie O'Brien on a bench in the forest, dew dripping from her nose, a cobweb from her hat to the bench, death by carbon monoxide poisoning, yet no car in the damp car park. There's a killer at large, a random killer, a serial killer, a ruthless killer who'll stop at nothing. Why? What's the purpose behind these unrelated deaths? It's a race against time; he or she must be stopped before they kill again. The Murder Diaries is set in the City of Chester. Darriteau is an adopted Cestrian, he's nearing retirement, and his oppo Sergeant Karen Greenwood covets his job. Walter isn't ready to end things on a sour note. He knows this case will define his career. He determines to trap the killer, putting his own life on the line.

本作の真髄は、無関係に見える死の連鎖を繋ぎ合わせる、ベテラン刑事ダリトーの執念にあります。古都チェスターを舞台に、偶然を装った冷酷な意志を暴き出すプロセスは圧巻です。不条理な殺意が日常を浸食する恐怖と、それに抗う人間の知略が、極上の心理サスペンスを編み上げています。 引退を目前にしたダリトーの焦燥と、野心的な部下との緊張感。これは単なる犯人捜しを超え、彼が自らの正義を懸けた「生の証明」でもあります。緻密な描写が街に潜む狂気を際立たせ、最後の一瞬まで読者の心を捉えて離さない深淵な魅力を放っています。