A Death in Custody by T S Clayton

Delroy, a young Black man, is arrested on a minor drugs charge in 90s Brixton. When he dies in a police cell as the result of a head injury, the detective who was the only person present at his death claims to have acted in self-defence. The case appears to be cut and dried. Then an expert adviser alters her evidence in court and a quick-thinking solicitor asks the right questions. An unexpected verdict casts doubt on the policeman’s version of events, and Delroy’s family demand justice.

Chief Inspector Elliott conducts an investigation into Delroy’s death, but his enquiries are obstructed by a lack of co-operation from police officers, the activities of a corrupt private investigator – and the legal system itself. Alison French, a young White journalist, Neeta Patel, Delroy’s family’s solicitor, and Ben Weekes, a Black youth worker, join forces to try and find out the truth about Delroy’s death, but find themselves in growing danger, as they are drawn into a murky world of violent criminals and police informants.

In my opinion, A Death in Custody has the feel of a docudrama. It contains more passages of law than most crime novels. These details are essential to show how the law drives the plot, but can be a little long at times. There is a strong sense that Clayton is writing about situations and environments he has observed in real life. Although the main theme is deadly serious, there are amusing descriptions of minor characters, and the romantic interest is enlightening about common attitudes towards race at the time.

I was given a copy of A Death in Custody in return for an honest review. I recommend this novel to fans of police procedurals and to anyone interested in the law, policing and Black history.