Brock and Kolla have been called to a shop dealing in rare stamps on the assumption they'll be handling a simple case of theft. But a man from Brock's past, Chinese East End ex-villain Sammy Starling, comes to him for help when Starling's vivacious young wife is kidnapped . . .
When Sammy Starling, a former London gangster with a passion for collecting, discovers that his beautiful young wife is missing, he assumes old enemies in the police force are taking their revenge. Ten years ago Starling's evidence of police corruption put DI Marty Keller, an ambitious, clever young cop with everything to live for, behind bars. Now Keller is out.
And getting even.
As investigations into Eva Starling's disappearance proceed, it's DCI David Brock who is now under suspicion of corruption. His team is disbanded and Detective Sergeant Kathy Kolla is unwillingly reassigned, reporting to the Fraud Squad, who appear almost pleased at Brock's official fall. Kolla, unsuccessfully trying to come to terms with Brock's disgrace, needs to find out why nothing in this case seems to be making sense. What is the connection between Starling's absorption in philately and McLarren's obsession with the legendary forgers, Raphael and the Beast? How much do Toby and Helen Fitzpatrick, Starling's country neighbours, know about Eva's disappearance?
Using the tenacity, ingenuity and intelligence Brock is relying on, Kolla links the pieces in this puzzle and finds answers that no one is expecting. 'The Marx Sisters', Maitland's first novel, was shortlisted for the John Creasey Award for best first crime novel and his second, 'The Malcontenta', was joint winner of the inaugural Ned Kelly Award for best crime novel. 'All My Enemies' followed in 1996 and 'The Chalon Heads' is the fourth gripping case for the Scotland Yard team of DCI Brock and his assistant DS Kathy Kolla.
