Classic British crime drama!

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Death Has Deep Roots: A Second World War Mystery (Inspector Hazlerigg #5) by Michael Gilbert           

If I were a 'courtroom drama' purist I'd be in seventh heaven over this reprint of this 1951 British Crime Classic. 
I'm not, and yet I found myself following the court action and the investigation process as avidly as if I were watching Rumpole of the Bailey.
It's post World War II London. A young French woman, Victoria Lamartine, a former resistance member, and ex Gestapo prisoner has been accused of murder.
Her victim is Major Eric Thoseby, her supposed lover and contact in France during the war.
It looks like a cut and dried case. But at the last moment Victoria changes briefs and things go from a ho hum, 'Guilty as charged', murder case to 'High Drama.'
Victoria's new defense team led by Hargest Macre with young solicitor Nap Rumbold are wily, thorough and astute. The investigations are visually clear and thrilling. As the case builds both in and outside the courtroom (Nap to France and back with former Commando and army officer Major Angus McCann) I was totally engaged.
A compelling read!

 A Poisoned Pen Press ARC via NetGalley 

*****

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