Late Checkout: A compulsive police procedural thriller (DCI Murrain Series Book 1)

DCI Kenny Murrain possesses instincts that help him solve difficult cases, though they come with personal costs. When a woman is found murdered in a Manchester hotel, he is called to lead the investigation. The crime scene presents puzzles: a violent killing executed with precision, but lacking forensic evidence, witnesses, or an obvious motive. As additional victims are discovered across the region, each showing identical disturbing patterns, it becomes apparent a single killer is responsible—methodical, mobile, and consistently ahead of the investigation. With mounting pressure and few leads, Murrain relies on the instincts that distinguish him as a detective. However, as he draws closer to the truth, the case begins to unravel unexpectedly. The killer is not simply selecting victims at random—they are communicating a message, and Murrain may be the intended recipient.