The murder of a disabled woman in an overgrown copse and obstruction by police colleagues motivates Detective Inspector Laura Baxter as never before. A conspiracy by influential people surrounds the planning approval for a hotel on the murder site, and the victim had important information to give Laura the day she died. Jean Easton was last seen alive in Cosimo's Room, under which there could be sixteenth-century building remains. The remains could extend deep into the copse where the hotel will be built. Baxter's determination grows when her ex-husband comes out of jail, threatening to snatch their daughter, and when Laura's boyfriend leaves her. Her emotions rule her when she should be in control of the crime investigations. Laura's record for the best clear up rate in the Police Authority is under threat. Iain Caldwell likes Baxter's one-liners, which are aimed at anyone who tries to obstruct her. Iain was forced out of his job as a senior airline captain by the sort of people Laura has to deal with among her male colleagues and influential suspects. A friend of the victim who initially believes Iain to be the murderer becomes a friend, and they work together. Tony is inspired by a number of authors, including John le Carré, Agatha Christie, Stieg Larsson and Robert Harris. Cosimo's Room will appeal to fans of murder mysteries.