The Hollowness of Fear — David North

Having enjoyed a successful career as a barrister, and eleven years as a judge, Justice Horatio Tiny did not regret his decision to retire and move out of London. It was 1985 and Tiny (as everyone knew him) decided it was time to adopt a more peaceful way of life in the Wiltshire village of Oakshaw. Despite being only November, enduring his first winter was proving less enjoyable than expected. When an airplane crashes nearby during a violent storm, Tiny decides to look into the circumstances. Accompanied by his old colleague George Rawlings, their investigation soon draws unwelcome attention from the aircraft owner, the police and the Accidents Investigation Branch. Tapping into his inner network of ex-convicts, Tiny uncovers a web of criminal activity involving contacts in the Channel Islands and the USSR. As his investigation starts to get closer to the truth, Tiny becomes increasingly concerned about his own safety and soon realises he's out of his depth. Unsure who to trust, Tiny has never felt more alone but during his darkest hour, the telephone rings and suddenly, everything changes.