Coffin Underground

by Gwendoline Butler

Published 21 July 1988

Scotland Yard Chief Superintendent John Coffin investigates a spate of killings at the notoriously evil No.22 Church Row. But he suspects there's more to it than just a haunted house...From one of the most universally praised English crime writers, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie.

Scotland Yard Chief Superintendent John Coffin is openly sceptical of the evil reputation of the house at No. 22 Church Row. True, the house has seen violent death over the centuries. But none of it suspicious. Until now...

Coffin suspects something more than a haunted house. He sees a human, complex web of relationships, interlocking and interacting in a way he can't yet fathom, and in which people get caught up and destroyed - as they play into the game of a very clever killer.


The first John Coffin story with a contemporary setting. A recently-promoted John Coffin soon has his hands full when a severed human head turns up the steps of his new home. From one of the most appraised English mystery authors, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie.

John Coffin now commands his own force in the newly created second city of London, established on the site of the old Docklands.

Life is good for Coffin – he's earned a promotion and has just moved into a new home in the tower of a renovated church-turned-theatre. Then a severed human head is found in an urn on the church steps, and a hand turns up in a freezer upstairs. Coffin must hunt down the serial killer before more body parts start appearing.