Annal: 1988 John Creasey Memorial New Blood Dagger for a Debuting Author

Hammer, standard claw type. No prints. As forensics describes the weapon, Detective Inspector John McLeish and Sergeant Bruce Davidson from a London CID squad survey the savagely battered body of the purchasing manager of Britex Fabrics of Yorkshire. On the brink of an industrial disaster that threatens 1,400 jobs, Britex’s financial losses are under the scrutiny of the Industrial Development Unit and its team leader Francesca Wilson, who hopes to save the company—even as MeLeish begins his investigation of the murder of its purchasing agent.