THE MOLTEN CITY

A police officer with a deep love for his home city juggles several difficult cases.

As Detective Superintendent Tom Harper tirelessly works his job, outside forces are about to roil Leeds in 1908. Harper’s oldest friend suddenly dies, and his force is severely tested by the coming visit of Prime Minister Herbert Asquith. As desperate unemployed men and a group of determined suffragettes seeking publicity prepare separate demonstrations, Harper’s curiosity is piqued by an anonymous letter claiming that a wealthy family’s son was actually stolen from a poor family as a child. Investigations reveal that the wealthy family’s daughter was also stolen. Both crimes were covered up by Adam Taylor, a bent cop long since fired, but before Harper can question Taylor, he’s found dead. Harper and his squad spend as much time as possible investigating the ex-cop's murder despite the many hours they must devote to preparations for the prime minister’s visit. Harper’s wife, Annabelle, bored since she gave up her job as a Poor Law guardian, is seriously considering the lucrative offer she’s received to sell the pub she owns. Although the Harpers' daughter is 16 and passionate about the suffragette cause, they forbid her to go to the demonstration. Harper, stretched to his limit with so many problems to ponder, emerges battered but unbowed.

Social commentary and period detail enhance a solid, thoughtful procedural.