Doyle & Acton Series by Anne Cleeland

From Anne Cleeland comes the first in a captivating new mystery series, following the perilous exploits of two Scotland Yard detectives as they track down London's most elusive killer. . . First-year detective Kathleen Doyle and Chief Inspector Michael Sinclair, Lord Acton, are a most unlikely pair... moreFrom Anne Cleeland comes the first in a captivating new mystery series, following the perilous exploits of two Scotland Yard detectives as they track down London's most elusive killer. . . First-year detective Kathleen Doyle and Chief Inspector Michael Sinclair, Lord Acton, are a most unlikely pair. An Irish redhead of humble beginnings and modest means, Doyle is the antithesis of Acton, the British lord who has established himself as a brilliant but enigmatic figure with a knack for solving London's most high profile homicides. But Acton senses something exceptional beneath Doyle's awkward naivete and taps her to help him with his investigations. And her spot-on intuition is just what he needs to solve a chilling string of murders. . .When a horse trainer is found dead at a racetrack, Doyle and Acton begin interviewing witnesses and the victim's associates, but the killer continues to strike and they're left with more questions than answers. Their investigation is further muddled by their colleagues at CID Headquarters, whose career-driven jealousies and workplace blunders could jeopardize the case--and their nosing into the nature of Doyle and Acton's after hours relationship could lay bare the most classified information of all. . .Perhaps the trainer was the target of a jilted lover on a killing spree. Or maybe the victims were collateral damage in a political coup gone awry. As the murders pile up, Doyle and Acton uncover something far more sadistic than they could have imagined, and now that they know too much, they'll find themselves squarely in the crosshairs of a cold-blooded killer. . . less

Two of Scotland Yard’s most gifted detectives navigate the darkest corners of London to solve a series of murders that will blur every line between right and wrong…   Chief Inspector Michael Sinclair, Lord Acton, and rookie detective Kathleen Doyle ruffle more than a few feathers at CID Headquarters when their relationship comes to light. But office politics quickly become trivial amid a rash of underworld murders... moreTwo of Scotland Yard’s most gifted detectives navigate the darkest corners of London to solve a series of murders that will blur every line between right and wrong…   Chief Inspector Michael Sinclair, Lord Acton, and rookie detective Kathleen Doyle ruffle more than a few feathers at CID Headquarters when their relationship comes to light. But office politics quickly become trivial amid a rash of underworld murders. As the body count climbs, Doyle uncovers a vicious war over lucrative turf between the Russian mafia and an Irish terrorist group. But their acts of revenge are almost too much for Scotland Yard to keep up with—and when Acton seems unusually troubled by the crimes, Doyle wonders what sparked the conflict in the first place.   Perhaps there’s nothing more to it than under-the-table business dealings gone awry. Or perhaps a single act of vigilante justice ignited a brutal battle. As Doyle and Acton fight not to become the next victims, they’ll find that the truth may be best left unspoken, and retribution may be best left to fate… less

"This entertaining pair will linger in readers' imaginations, making them want more." --BooklistWhile Acton and Doyle, two of Scotland Yard's finest, pursue a self-appointed judge, jury, and executioner, Acton's own questionable methods may prove their undoing. . .The victims are all criminals who eluded justice--until they ran afoul of an avenger whose modus operandi is a bullet to the back of the head... more"This entertaining pair will linger in readers' imaginations, making them want more." --BooklistWhile Acton and Doyle, two of Scotland Yard's finest, pursue a self-appointed judge, jury, and executioner, Acton's own questionable methods may prove their undoing. . .The victims are all criminals who eluded justice--until they ran afoul of an avenger whose modus operandi is a bullet to the back of the head. The key to the vigilante's identity lies in connecting the cold cases to an event that may have triggered retribution after all these years. Meanwhile, Doyle finds herself shadowed by a mysterious figure. After the man steps forward to rescue her from harm, she wonders why he is invested in protecting her. But when she learns he's in contact with Acton's nemesis, she fears she's being used in a plot against her husband. The stakes are high, and both Doyle and Acton must work independently to outwit the players--before their lives are brought crashing down like a house of cards. . . less

The intriguing new mystery featuring husband-and-wife detective duo, Detective Sergeant Kathleen Doyle and Detective Chief Inspector Michael Acton. When a police forensic photographer is found dead in her flat, killed by a single blow to the head, the motive for her death remains a mystery. There are no signs of forced entry; nothing has been stolen. The victim had no boyfriend anyone knows of... moreThe intriguing new mystery featuring husband-and-wife detective duo, Detective Sergeant Kathleen Doyle and Detective Chief Inspector Michael Acton. When a police forensic photographer is found dead in her flat, killed by a single blow to the head, the motive for her death remains a mystery. There are no signs of forced entry; nothing has been stolen. The victim had no boyfriend anyone knows of.It's only when DS Doyle uncovers a possible link to a series of suspicious deaths in police custody that she begins to make headway in the investigation. Were the SOCO and the other victims killed because of what they knew? Who would go to such drastic lengths to keep them quiet? And what does Doyle's husband, DCI Acton, know that he's not telling her?Despite suffering debilitating morning sickness, the newly-pregnant Doyle is determined to carry on until she uncovers the truth. But as she doggedly pursues a trail of corruption that leads all the way to the top, is she putting herself - and her unborn child - in danger? less

Things are a bit grim at Scotland Yard, this Christmas. On the heels of a nasty corruption scandal, the CID must now contend with a killer who is murdering pregnant women, so as to steal their babies. Chief Inspector Acton doesn't want Doyle anywhere near this case, of course, but she can't shake the feeling that there is more to his concern than his usual over-protectiveness—and more to this case than the usual psycho-killer.