NIGHT CHILD

When photojournalist Duncan Wylie thinks he spots a young ape roaming London's Hampstead Heath, he tracks it to a nearby mansion- -deserted except for two dead bodies on the floor, later identified as concert-pianist Madame Eva Raymonde and her unmarried daughter, Hilda. The police also discover, cowering in a foul back bedroom, a terrified mute boy of six or so—the ``ape'' Wylie sighted. The boy is placed in foster care and taken on as a patient by grieving therapist Hannah Wilton, who initially believes him to be autistic, like her dead son, then changes her mind and tries to find the key that will unlock the child's memory—and voice. Meanwhile, Superintendent Begg is taking a personal interest in the case and hounding young Officer Ferry to discover what happened (the house had also been emptied of valuable furniture, antiques, etc.), and Wylie, out for a major scoop, is tailing Hannah and the boy everywhere. More bullets will fly before awful secrets are revealed. Engrossing, with Officer Ferry and his dad interesting enough to mold a series around, and a half-step up for longtime author Scholefield (Dirty Weekend, etc.)