Hardcastle's Collector: A police procedural set during World War One by Graham Ison

Hardcastle is an old curmudgeon that orders people around, expounds his thoughts, and can be a very good investigator.  He demands a lot from his employees.  He also solves all his cases...

Severn House and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published February 1st of 2016.

Hardcastle reminded me of the older people in my life.  They don't explain much and can be gruff, but they get things done.  When he's sent out from Scotland to help a small town's cops solve a murder case, he's more than willing.  He takes his favorite man and off they go.  The poor local cop assigned to him discovers he wants everything done immediately.  Scotland Yard does not waste time.  Or at least Hardcastle doesn't.

A young woman was found on a local farm strangled to death.  At the autopsy they find she's two months pregnant.  She was fond of sharing her favors with all but who killed her?  

This story had several likeable points to me.  Hardcastle was an interesting character.  As he was investigating, he was also training the young constable from the area.  The killer was someone unsuspected by everyone except for Hardcastle.  It's a tight mystery with good interaction between the characters and was a pleasure for read.  I'd be happy to read another one in this series.