UK Jersey crime thriller explores cold case investigation

A new crime thriller set in Jersey is about to be released, offering readers a unique perspective through the eyes of a neurodivergent police detective.

The novel, One of the Few, is the second installment in the DI Lancaster series written by Dorset-born author David Sharp. It follows Detective Inspector Lancaster, an autistic officer, as he travels to Jersey with Detective Sergeant Marie Vidêt to re-examine the mysterious death of a retired war veteran.

At the centre of the story is the case of Peter Urbawicz, a former World War II Spitfire pilot who died two decades earlier. The death had been ruled accidental by local authorities at the time. However, Sharp’s fictional investigation reopens the matter, raising questions over whether there was more behind Urbawicz’s demise than initially believed.

Sharp, who has received attention for blending authentic procedural detail with complex character portrayals, said he wanted to give readers a fresh perspective within the crime thriller genre. By writing from the point of view of a neurodivergent officer, he aims to explore how different ways of thinking can shape the investigative process.

The setting of Jersey plays an important role in the novel. Its close-knit community, coastal landscapes, and wartime history provide both atmosphere and context to Lancaster’s inquiries. The island’s backdrop also helps to heighten the tension in a case that revisits long-buried questions about a decorated veteran’s untimely death.

One of the Few continues Sharp’s focus on cases that test both the professional and personal resilience of his lead character. In this latest story, Lancaster’s determination to uncover the truth is challenged by the passage of time, the reliability of witnesses, and the weight of institutional decisions made years earlier.

The author’s debut in the series, The Death Committee, introduced readers to DI Lancaster and established Sharp’s distinctive style, combining traditional crime elements with a nuanced portrayal of a neurodivergent investigator. The new release builds on that foundation, broadening the character’s scope and deepening his role in complex cases.

The novel is due for publication in the coming weeks and is expected to appeal to readers interested in both crime fiction and character-driven narratives. For Sharp, the continuation of the DI Lancaster series marks another step in developing a detective whose perspective challenges conventions within the genre.

With One of the Few, Sharp places Jersey at the centre of a cold-case mystery while giving prominence to a detective whose approach to policing is shaped by difference as much as by dedication.