Deputy Chief Constable Bob Skinner

Unlike his angst-ridden fictional detective contemporaries, the often fearsome Bob Skinner is a high-flyer who has reached his destination and stands at the top of his world. He's devoted to his job; he inspires loyalty in his team, and he is unfailingly loyal to them. He's tough as seasoned teak, and prepared to use all necessary force to counter threats against him and those dear to him.

But Skinner has his own share of angst. His private life has often been interrupted by crisis, and although he lives an ostensibly happy existence, it seems always to be under threat. Bob Skinner has been to many dark places and has done many dark things. The intriguing question is, where will he go next?

Oz Blackstone

Oz began his accidental detective career as a lad about town, whose only interests were a quiet comfortable life and as much horizontal refreshment as he could get. Then he met the irrepressible and dangerous Primavera Phillips and found himself immersed in life-threatening adventures, none of which were of his choosing.

As they unfold, Oz's career has taken some unforeseen twists and turns, and he is finding out many things about himself. For example, he's lucky beyond any man's dreams, he's a magnet for money ... and babes, he's better than he thought in a crisis, and he's really not half as nice as he always imagined he was.