Cirrus@Austlit

'Although set a hundred years ago, John Clanchy's new novel powerfully captures the devastating and persistent reality of a fundamental flaw in the role of our major institutions. Central to In Whom We Trust is James Pearse, an essentially good but circumstantially weak man, who is forced to examine his role at the St Barnabas Home for Children, an orphanage that has betrayed the individuals entrusted to its care. He must face the devastating wider consequences of a life of moral equivocation.' (Publication summary)

'A collection of richly varied long stories by John Clanchy. These stories reveal the disguised impulses and motivations, the telling switch-points of modern life. With humour, insight and compassion, Clanchy draws us deep within the world of his characters.' (Publication summary)

The protagonist is in the Musée in Paris, where she sees an old couple looking at a bible. The man is giving a running commentary to the woman, who he has a hold of; the protagonist thinks him a know-it-all and worries for the woman.

Soon, the protagonist spots them again, this time touching a carving that has a Do Not Touch sign. She makes eye contact with the old man, and then the old woman, and realises that the woman is blind.

A serial kidnapper is targeting children and demanding the most macabre of ransoms. Bu the time Glass is put on the case, a fourth child has been taken and two women are dead. There are few leads to go on and the police commissioner is looking for someone to blame.

Source: Publisher's Blurb