Lights Out for Granddad

Stephanie Golding takes licentious advantage of men. Or so it seems. Is that why she is brutally murdered at the crest of a quiet ravine, and with a weapon suggesting more torture than passionate death? Her fiancé vehemently denies involvement, so does everyone else.

The murderer in this apparently vengeful killing is investigated relentlessly by Detective Chief Inspector Charles Merstowe and his team of police and medical experts. Voyeurs, opportunists, friends of the victim, a mysterious white-haired man, shadows: all are suspect. Secrets must be uncovered, foibles exposed and explanations ruthlessly delved. Merstowe knows this, but the case fast becomes a losing challenge. Not much adds up. And what about upsetting machinations and revelations closer to home? There are unwelcome surprises there too. Even the police are disturbed.

An eventual ownership of the crime raises more fog than it diffuses. Perhaps only another death will clear the air completely of jealousy, hatred, blame, retribution and revenge. In the meantime, the veteran Merstowe is forced to question his own skills as a detective. His protégé questions his morals as well. His own doubts cast shadows over himself. Is he remotely on the right track? Was the victim in fact an angel? Or was she instead a cunning devil, too clever by half? Who were really her friends, and who her enemies? Most importantly, what’s wrong with the evidence? Stephanie Golding suffered in death. But why? It needs to be sorted out.

Charles P. Helmsville was born and brought up in rural England, becoming a Queen’s Scout at 15 years old and one of the earliest recipients of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (gold standard). At school, he was the captain of the first 15 rugby team and vice-captain of the first 11 cricket. Through his local Youth Club, he represented his county in a number of regional drama festivals and public speaking competitions.

He has travelled extensively and has lived in Western Australia, Victoria Australia, and Toronto, Canada, where he presently resides with his wife. He has two married sons, both lawyers, one practicing locally, the other in San Francisco, California. He also has three granddaughters and a grandson, with all of whom he spends as much time as possible.

Charles himself served half a century in the legal profession, his early years as a solicitor’s clerk, then a legal executive, and the latter 40 years as an articled student and a barrister of the Supreme Court of Ontario, practicing civil litigation as a member of The Law Society of Upper Canada. Since withdrawing from the practice, he firmly renounces the “R” word and is now an Introspectionist and a Writer.

Charles has a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of London, and a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Osgoode Hall Law School of York University, Toronto. He is also an Associate of the Australian College of Theology and an Officer of the Order of St. John.