‘Solid, straightforward detection mingled with family mayhem.’
KIRKUS REVIEWS ON A THRUST TO THE VITALS

Sir Rufus Seward, returning to his home town of Elmhurst many years after his involuntary departure, to attend a civic reception in his honour, had ignored the maxim that ‘going back’ is not always wise.

Especially when so many people had long memories. Especially when the same people still hated him. Found murdered after the reception, it is clear from DI Joe Rafferty’s questioning of the guests that one of them had decided it was time to settle old scores.

And, judging from the phone call he had received at the scene, his younger brother was among them.

Rafferty, aware that his brother had plenty of reasons to loath Seward, finds himself torn between protecting his brother and finding the killer.