First book a detective story with soul

Man At The Window By Robert Jeffreys, Allen & Unwin, $29.99

Set in Perth in the 1960s, a boarding master at an exclusive boys’ school is shot dead.

The shooting is explained as accidental, probably a poor shot from the other side of the river by somebody culling roos. It appears just about anybody who is anybody in Perth at that time is an old boy of St Nicholas College. Loyalty to the school and the old boys’ club is paramount.

The accidental verdict staved off poor publicity. Detective Cardilini is sent off to wind up the report.

Cardilini is not in a good space. He has been devastated by the sudden death of his wife. His only son Paul has not coped with both his mother’s death and his father’s drinking and subsequent lazy behaviour and lack of direction.

Cardilini is the obvious choice to wind up the inquiry. He is barely managing to remain in the force.

However, a little of the old Cardilini returns and without any real evidence at first he refutes the accidental death and treats the death as murder. Not the verdict either the school or the old boys’ club want and Cardilini finds himself constantly either stymied or suspended until finally a conclusion is reached.

Man in The Window isa detective story with soul. The dilemma of justice or the law is well explored. The misguided loyalty to the school and attempts to cover up rather than deal with the inherent bullying and abuse is central to the story.

Cardilini’s attempts to heal his breakdown in his relationships with son and fellow workers is told in sensitive and empathetic writing. This is a well written page turner.