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Book Review of Lost and Gone Forever (Scotland Yard's Murder Squad, Bk 5)

Lost and Gone Forever (Scotland Yard's Murder Squad, Bk 5)
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This novel continues the search for Jack the Ripper from the previous novel in the series. Has he died? In addition, Walter Day, a skilled Scotland Yard detective, has been missing for months. What happens next? Highly competent assassins, Mr. and Mrs. Parker, are hired to track Jack whose murdering spree seems to be continuing.

As the tale opens, Day has been missing for a year but the author begins revealing tidbits about what is happening to him. Nevil Hammersmith is heading a private inquiry firm subsidized by Clare Day with the sole purpose of locating Walter. Assisting him is the intrepid Hattie whose purpose is to make the firm profitable by taking on minor cases to help pay the bills.
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Twists and turns keep action moving. Jack is murdering members of The Karstphanomen, a secret society that performs its own criminal justice. Since it had tortured Jack at one point, he is determined to eliminate those involved. Meanwhile, he has held Day captive and inflicted a form of mental brainwashing such that Day has forgotten who he is. When freed, he takes on a street existence. As he begins to remember his previous life, Day knows the danger Jack poses to those he loves.

The climax of the story occurs at Plumm's, a department store offering many types of goods and tea shops. This is Victorian London's dark side with a culprit like no other. Jack is bright, creative and always a few steps ahead of those who try to capture him, murdering anyone who could give him away. What happens to the characters and can they capture Jack? Read the novel to see how this talented author weaves his masterful tale.