Destroy unopened

'Alex, if you had a son who told you that he liked his new flat because it was built on the site of 10 Rillington Place, what would you think?' 'Hillary, I wish you'd get to the point,' I said as gently as I could manage.

She was ruffled but not distracted. 'If a son of yours said that, would you think he was the Notting Hill killer ...?' Alex Tanner, part-time private eye, has given little thought to the serial killer stalking the streets of Notting Hill - except to the effect he may have on house prices.

But then a wealthy widow hands her a parcel marked DESTROY UNOPENED ...The parcel - given to Hilary Lucas following her husband's death - contains anonymous love letters, written over many years.

Not surprisingly, Hilary wants Alex to reveal the mystery lover's identity ...Especially when the letters suggest that the woman is the mother of the Notting Hill killer ...