ANYTHING BUT THE TRUTH

Underwood needs even more than his usual quota of Old Bailey courtroom scenes to fill out this thin plot. On trial: young rowdy Ian Tanner, accused of the accidental but reckless hit-and-run killing of his own buddy. What really happened? is the question asked over and over, and, as almost always with Underwood, the answer involves a ruthless gang, a gang that nearly disposes of yet another victim before bland Detective Constable Patrick Bramley figures it all out. Apparently aware of the paltry texture here, Underwood adds some psychological stewing via an implausible coincidence: the judge in the case is tortured because his own rebellious son is involved with the fringes of the gang. But, despite the customary ease with a variety of English dialects and habitats, this is Underwood at his skimpiest, without even the mildly charming Atwells (Crooked Wood, Murder With Malice) to add some flesh tones.