Churchyard and Hawke - E. V. Thompson

After taking a serious beating while engaged in unofficial undercover work in the murky streets and taverns of London's 19th century slums, Constable Tom Churchyard takes himself to Cornwall. Here, in spite of his injuries, he becomes right-hand man to Amos Hawke, now a senior Cornish policeman. His knowledge of the London rogues proves invaluable as Amos seeks to foil a gang of city thieves whose plan is to plunder the mansions of the Cornish gentry. When a brutal murder is committed during their investigations, it proves far more complex than appears at first glance. Relating a story that once again tests the investigative skills of Amos Hawke, this is an exciting and insightful novel of the years when the Cornwall Constabulary was in its infancy.