title: Blackstone And The Heart of Darkness  (Inspector Sam Blackstone Mysteries)
author:  Alan Rustage 
description: It's three cases in one for Inspector Sam Blackstone in his latest outing. His onetime lover, forensic scientist Dr. Ellie Carr, is investigating the brutal killings of teenage girls from Victorian London's wealthiest families. Meanwhile, Blackstone's erstwhile sidekick, Archie Patterson, is trying to expose a brothel madam who specializes in providing her clients with child prostitutes. And Sam himself is trying to uncover a smuggling ring in his home village of Marston. Little does Blackstone expect that the three cases will eventually be linked or that he will be betrayed by someone he considered a good friend. Rustage creates strong and varied characters, with Blackstone playing the quintessentially unflappable cop and his two costars adding more idiosyncratic human interest. A fine period mystery with a clever plot. <i>Emily Melton</i><br><i>Copyright &#169; American Library Association. All rights reserved</i>
zlib_text: 
  
  
  ### _A Selection of Recent Titles by Sally Spencer from Severn House_  
    
  
  
  _The Monika Paniatowski Mysteries_
  
  
  ECHOES OF THE DEAD  
  BACKLASH  
  LAMBS TO THE SLAUGHTER  
  A WALK WITH THE DEAD  
  DEATH’S DARK SHADOW  
  SUPPING WITH THE DEVIL  
  BEST SERVED COLD  
  THICKER THAN WATER  
  DEATH IN DISGUISE  
  THE HIDDEN  
    
  
  
  _The Inspector Woodend Mysteries_
  
  
  DANGEROUS GAMES  
  DEATH WATCH  
  A DYING FALL  
  FATAL QUEST  
    
  
  
  _The Inspector Sam Blackstone Series_
  
  
  BLACKSTONE AND THE NEW WORLD  
  BLACKSTONE AND THE WOLF OF WALL STREET  
  BLACKSTONE AND THE GREAT WAR  
  BLACKSTONE AND THE ENDGAME
  
  
  
  
  
  ## ONE
  
  
  The west gate of Stamford Hall was (like the gates in the centres of the other
  three boundary walls), an impressive piece of work. Constructed by skilled
  ironworkers over two centuries earlier, it served as both a formidable barrier
  and a fine example of early industrial art. It was possible to open both sides
  of the gate – indeed, the grand carriages of the past had required it – but to
  m