Inspector Proby's Christmas by John Gano

 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The hunt for the shotgun killer in this novel kept me engaged, but I found Inspector Proby a somewhat frustrating protagonist. While his obsessive nature drives the investigation, it also blinds him to the damage it inflicts on his marriage and professional life. This internal conflict adds complexity to his character, but his flaws ultimately undermine the story's climax, which felt underwhelming. The author crafts a compelling cat-and-mouse game between Proby and the killer, Henry, who proves a formidable adversary for the Hampton Constables. However, Proby's shortcomings prevent the resolution from reaching its full potential