Bert Hannam was a dapper, charismatic figure in the Scotland Yard of the post-war years. As a young sergeant he made his name in London, and soon became a presence in the world of criminal investigation. When the most dramatic and sensational murders of the mid-fifties came along, he was in the thick of the action, being involved in a variety of controversial trials and enquiries. Hannam also went out as troubleshooter to the shires as well, being involved in the tragic and unsolved murder of Emily Pye, one of a host of horrific ‘corner shop murders’ of the time.

Stephen Wade provides a biography and case book of one of the most compelling lives caught up in the criminal justice system at a time when war and its aftermath turned society inside-out.

•  The first biography of one of the most famous and controversial detectives in Scotland Yard history - Hannam was involved in a number of high profile and controversial cases, including the Teddington Towpath Murders, the trial of suspected serial killer John Bodkin Adams and the infamous murder of Emily Pye - a case that remains unsolved, with Stephen Wade offering theories on what really happened.
•  Explores the controversial issue of police corruption, and

  the extent to which that permeated the culture of Scotland Yard in the post-war

  era. Interwoven with stories of headline-grabbing success and major

  breakthroughs, Hannam’s story perfectly encapsulates a fascinating period of

  British criminal history.

•  Hannam was a charismatic figure, capturing the imagination

  of the public and the ire of the criminal underworld that he pursued with

  strength and resolve – and a well-cut suit and fashionable bowler hat. His story

  is sure to appeal to fans of true crime and the allure of the unsolved case.