The Judas Murders

Ron Gittins, a retired police officer, now a part time gardener has been working for elderly, wealthy people. His wife, Kyle a trained community nurse has been visiting them, treating their illnesses and caring for them. One lady suffering from a terminal illness dies suddenly, her doctor is away and so a locum attends the death. Not knowing her previous history he declines to issue a death certificate. As a result the Coroner is informed and a post-mortem is held. In great surprise it is discovered the patient was the victim of murder. It is later discovered that Ron and Kyle have been left £20,000 by the deceased. As a result, they are eventually arrested on suspicion of murdering their benefactor. There is an outcry locally and in the media who dub the killings The Judas Murders as those arrested were the two people the victims and their loved ones should have been able to trust.

Jack the Hat Richards, a retired detective of New Scotland Yard, now living locally, is told of the case by one of the investigating officers. He suggests that the case may not be isolated and so as a result, police enquiries are broadened out. His advice proves correct, eventually the cases become serial killings. There are now political ramifications, is this conduct by police officers and nurses endemic? There are calls for a public enquiry.

Jack the Hat who has previously been recalled to assist the police in such difficult cases is once again called in to ensure the couple are convicted thus avoiding the fallout. He reviews the enquiries and the evidence but goes further, making enquiries of his own, assisted by an inexperienced officer.

Things are not always what they appear to be! This is a mystery murder investigation to the very end.