Stumped Identity

If Trollope, Cooper and Christie could ever have collaborated on a novel they would probably come up with something very similar to 'Stumped Identity'. Rory Embers, a teenager in long term foster care along with his four younger siblings in urban North London, wants to find his real father and seeks retribution for the life he has given them. To find his father he gains the help of Sophie Anderson, a young Social worker who, unbeknown to Rory, has an agenda of her own. Their investigations lead them to the seemingly idyllic West Country village, Craig Dell, where the cricket club is the hub of the village. Here in the heart of middle England, villagers go about their business and pleasure. Behind the net curtains all is not quite so straight forward and an unconventional lifestyle and seedy underbelly is slowly uncovered. But which of the residents is Rory's father? Two fit the bill precisely; Phil 'Popeye' Embers, the village butcher and Miles Harrington, the recently arrived, secretive peddler of pornography. Not until the final pages is the 'who done it' revealed. 'Stumped Identity' is a fast paced yarn that has humour threaded throughout whilst addressing a serious social issue.