Hailed as the king of sleaze tabloid editor Dennis Luxford is used toferreting out the sins and scandals of people in exposed positions. But when heopens an inn... » 

Hailed as the king of sleaze tabloid editor Dennis Luxford is used toferreting out the sins and scandals of people in exposed positions. But when heopens an innocuouslooking letter addressed to him at The Source he discoversthat someone else excels at ferreting out secrets as well.Tenyearold Charlotte Bowen has been abducted and if Luxford does not admitpublicly to having fathered her she will die. But Charlottes existence isLuxfords most fiercely guarded secret and acknowledging her as his child willthrow more than one life and career into chaos. Luxford knows that the storyof Charlottes paternity could make him a laughingstock and reveal to hisbeautiful wife and son the lie hes lived for a decade. Yet its not onlyLuxfords reputation thats on the line its also the reputationand careerof Charlotte Bowens mother. For she is Undersecretary of State for the HomeOffice one of the most highprofile Junior Ministers and quite possibly thenext Margaret Thatcher.Knowing that her political future hangs in the balance Eve Bowen refuses tolet Luxford damage her career by printing the story or calling the police. Sothe editor turns to forensic scientist Simon St. James for help. Its a casethat fills St. James with disquiet however for none of the players in thedrama seem to react the way one would expect.Then tragedy occurs and New Scotland Yard becomes involved. Detective InspectorThomas Lynley soon discovers that the case sends tentacles from London into thecountryside and he must simultaneously outfox death as he probes CharlotteBowens mysterious disappearance. Meanwhile his partner Detective SergeantBarbara Havers workingpart of the investigation on her own and hoping to makethe coup of her career may be drawing closer to a grim solutionand todangerthan anyone knows.In the Presence of the Enemy is a brilliantly insightful and haunting novel ofideals corrupted by selfinterest o «