BLAYDE R.I.P.

Wainwright's sticking to straight British police-procedural these days: a definite improvement. Here, then, the life of Chief Supt. Robert Blayde--from farm poverty to WWII service (while twin brother Richard becomes a crook) to bobby-hood. The story follows his rise, rung by rung, through the English police system, with case after case. Few women appear; non-cop interests are nil. But always there's the problem of brother Ric (a rising mobster)--and the novel ends with Robert assassinating Ric, then suiciding. A solid character study--with snippets of detection.