Playing with Fire (Alan Banks Series)

In the early hours of a cold January morning, two narrow boats catch fire on the dead-end stretch of the Eastvale Canal. When signs of accelerant are found at the scene, DCI Banks and DI Annie Cabbot are summoned. But by the time they arrive only the smoldering wreckage is left, and human remains have been found on both boats. The evidence points towards a deliberate attack. But who was the intended victim? Was it Tina, the sixteen-year-old who had been living a drug-fueled existence with her boyfriend? Or was it Tom, the mysterious, lonely artist? As Banks makes his enquiries, it appears that a number of people are acting suspiciously: the interfering 'lock keeper', Tina's cold-hearted stepfather, the wily local art dealer, even Tina's boyfriend... Then the arsonist strikes again and Bank's powers of investigation are tested to the limit.