An Unnecessary Murder

Things aren’t going too well for unlikely hero Alfie Bowman. He may have found a new role for himself as an amateur sleuth, but mentor Dry Biro lies comatose in hospital and best friend Positive Pete appears to have a developing love interest for the first time in years.

As for his own developing romance with cool, classy neighbour Sophia, it’s, well... to tell the truth he’s not exactly sure what it is, or if they even have a romance! Then a visit from Sophia’s niece Jelena soon turns into a lecture which furnishes him with a few home truths that leave him feeling just a little uncomfortable. But, unknown to Alfie, his discomfort is about to get a whole lot worse.

Just a mile or two away, on the other side of the cozy, small town of Tinton, indignant Detective Sergeant Dave Slater has just been told he has to put his dinner on hold to go and investigate a ‘disturbance’. It’s not really his job, but there’s no one else free, so he’s not exactly keen to carry out his duty. But all that changes when he realises he’s stumbled across a murder scene.

When the victim is identified as Positive Pete’s ex-wife Marie there are plenty of potential suspects to choose from, but key evidence seems to indicate Alfie Bowman is suspect number one, and Slater’s boss, Detective Inspector ‘Nasty’ Nash, is only too pleased to grasp this opportunity for revenge. Once again Alfie finds himself on the wrong side of Nash and his misuse of the law, but Dave Slater’s also had enough of DI Nash and his lust for revenge. When he becomes convinced it’s all a set-up and Alfie’s being framed, they join forces behind Nash’s back to try and find the answer.

Who wants to frame Alfie and why? Could ‘Nasty’ Nash’s desire to get even with Alfie really have driven him this far? Or are they missing something?

In this the third novella in the Alfie Bowman series, the usual mix of mystery, pathos, romance and humour make for another fun, entertaining read. Join Alfie, a host of regulars, and one or two hilarious new characters as they try to figure out who’s really to blame for what really does turn out to be an unnecessary murder.