Five dead canaries

de Keith Miles

As thousands of Brits are fighting on the Front Line, a new breed of woman emerges to hold the Home Front together. Fiercely independent and fiery-spirited the munitionettes, or 'canaries' are easily recognisable by their chemically-stained yellow faces. Among the raucous group of women is Florrie Duncan, who plans to celebrate her birthday in style in the Golden Goose pub. Tragically, the celebrations are cut short when all but one are killed in a brutal explosion. Scotland Yard suggests it's the work of a German spy but Detective Inspector Harvey Marmion and Sergeant Joe Keedy remain unconvinced, believing something more complex and sinister to be at work.