Step into the smoky, swinging streets of 1960s London with the DS Breen & WPC Tozer series, where gritty crime meets a city in upheaval. Crafted by William Shaw, this critically acclaimed mystery series follows Detective Sergeant Cathal Breen and Woman Police Constable Helen Tozer as they unravel murders amid corruption, societal shifts, and the echoes of colonial violence. Perfect for fans of historical crime fiction, it’s a thrilling ride through a transformative era.
How DS Breen & WPC Tozer Began
William Shaw, a seasoned journalist turned novelist, drew inspiration from his fascination with the 1960s—a decade of rebellion and reckoning. His experiences infiltrating British subcultures for non-fiction works like Spying in Guru Land honed his knack for vivid settings. Shaw launched the series in 2013 with A Song from Dead Lips, aiming to capture London’s gritty underbelly and the tensions of a changing society through the contrasting lenses of Breen, a traditionalist outsider, and Tozer, a bold trailblazer.
The Heart of DS Breen & WPC Tozer
The series kicks off with A Song from Dead Lips (2013), where Breen and Tozer investigate a young woman’s murder near Abbey Road Studios, navigating a web of police corruption and cultural clashes. A House of Knives (2014) sees them tackle a politically charged case involving a mutilated body, exposing the dark side of power. A Book of Scars (2015) delves into Tozer’s personal history, linking a family tragedy to the Kenya Emergency’s brutal legacy. Sympathy for the Devil (2017) rounds out the quartet, blending espionage and passion in a 1969 murder case.
Shaw’s storytelling shines through richly detailed settings—think Beatles fans, hippie squats, and smoky pubs—paired with themes of corruption, racism, sexism, and societal flux. Breen, an Irish loner nicknamed “Paddy,” grapples with a prejudiced police force, while Tozer, the first woman in the murder unit, defies gender norms with her sharp wit. Their evolving partnership, set against colonial violence’s lingering scars, makes each book a compelling blend of procedural grit and historical depth.
Why DS Breen & WPC Tozer Resonates
The series has captivated crime fiction fans with its unflinching look at the 1960s’ darker corners, earning praise from outlets like The New York Times for its elegiac portrayal of a “neglected generation.” Shaw’s ability to weave historical events—like the Biafran War and Mau Mau Uprising—into taut mysteries sets the series apart. Its focus on marginalized voices, from Irish immigrants to pioneering women, resonates with modern readers seeking authentic, inclusive stories.
- First Book Published: 2013 (A Song from Dead Lips)
- Number of Books: 4
- Awards: Shortlisted for the CWA Historical Dagger
- Setting: London, 1968–1969
Ready to crack cases in a world of mods, rockers, and moral ambiguity? Grab A Song from Dead Lips and dive into DS Breen & WPC Tozer’s electrifying mysteries!