The Birdwatcher by William Shaw

When his next door neighbor is killed, he's involved in the investigation and they use his house as a base during the investigative work.  He doesn't do murder investigations.  He stays as far away from them as he can.  He has a secret he doesn't want anyone to know...

Mulholland Books and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published June 27th.

South lives on the Kentish coast and watches birds in his spare time.  He enjoys the wide open desolate land.  Birds migrate and the birders keep track of how many, when, and watch the climate change make the birds come sooner or later.  He keeps track of all the birds he sees.  His life is well-ordered and he's a good cop.  But he has a big problem from his past that is touching his life again.

Despite the fact that the man blamed for the murder committed suicide (South doesn't think it was suicide) also took the fall for his father's murder, he still tries to keep his secret.  However, when he figures out who the killer was, he has no choice.   If anyone is going to survive, he needs to do it.

This is to be a new series.  I'm hoping South will serve some jail time and come home.  He's an interesting character and he's paid the price for his sin now.  He should have a good life from here on out.  Where are you going with this story, Mr. Shaw?