Grave Issue

DCI Kath Fortune and her Cold Case team investigate the murders of Abraham and Esther Downing in the 1970s, uncovering a wall of silence surrounding the reclusive couple. Kath's past comes back to haunt her as she tries to piece together the clues and keep her personal and professional relationships on track.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 370 pages
Publication date: 16 September 2022
Publisher: Cahill Davis Publishing

In the 1970s, the murders of Abraham and Esther Downing remain a mystery, with no concrete answers as to who was responsible for their deaths. The significance of the seven tiny skeletons unearthed in the garden of the Downings cottage is still a subject of debate and speculation. Despite the attention and interest surrounding the case, there seems to be a lack of concern and interest from the public and the authorities.

As DCI Kath Fortune and her Cold Case team delve deeper into their second investigation, they encounter a wall of silence surrounding the reclusive couple. Kath is determined to piece together the clues and keep her personal and professional relationships on track, but her past comes back to haunt her with time running out on all counts.

The murders of Abraham and Esther Downing occurred in the small village of Little Hulton, located in the outskirts of Manchester. The couple had been living in the cottage for several years and were known for their reclusive nature. They were last seen alive on the night of 28th August 1974, when they were seen leaving a local pub. Their bodies were discovered the following morning, buried in the garden of their cottage.

The discovery of the seven tiny skeletons in the garden of the Downings cottage sent shockwaves through the local community. The skeletons were found buried in a shallow grave, and it was initially believed that they could be the remains of children. However, further investigation revealed that the skeletons were those of adults, and they had been there for several years.

The significance of the seven tiny skeletons is still a subject of debate and speculation. Some believe that they could be the remains of victims of a serial killer, while others suggest that they could be the result of a tragic accident or a crime of passion. There have been no arrests made in connection with the murders, and the case remains open.

Despite the lack of progress in the case, there has been some interest from the public and the media. In recent years, documentaries and TV shows have been produced about the Downings murders, and there have been calls for the case to be re-opened. However, the authorities have remained tight-lipped about the case, and there has been no indication that they are actively pursuing new leads.

One of the challenges in investigating the Downings murders is the lack of information available about the couple. They were known for their reclusive nature, and they had few friends and associates in the local community. This has made it difficult for investigators to gather information and build a case.

Another challenge is the physical condition of the cottage and the garden. The cottage has been demolished, and the garden has been overgrown with vegetation. This has made it difficult for investigators to conduct a thorough search of the area and to gather evidence.

Despite these challenges, DCI Kath Fortune and her Cold Case team are determined to solve the murders of Abraham and Esther Downing. They are using all available resources, including forensic technology and old-fashioned detective work, to piece together the clues and bring the killer to justice.

In conclusion, the murders of Abraham and Esther Downing remain a mystery, with no concrete answers as to who was responsible for their deaths. The significance of the seven tiny skeletons unearthed in the garden of the Downings cottage is still a subject of debate and speculation. Despite the lack of concern and interest from the public and the authorities, DCI Kath Fortune and her Cold Case team are determined to solve the case and bring the killer to justice. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of investigating cold cases and the potential for new evidence to emerge years after the crime was committed.

Weight: 320g
Dimension: 128 x 197 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781739801557