20th February


In the late 60s an article in The Times confirmed that the MOD had tested the effects of LSD on volunteer servicemen at Porton Down. Gently and Bacchus delve into this world of army secrets when a young former soldier commits a murder and Gently finds some uncomfortable truths in what it means to serve one’s Queen and country.
Following a murder at a Turkish Baths, Bacchus delights in what seems to be a straightforward case. Witnesses confirm that ex-serviceman Scott Tanner killed the victim and he has handily left his ID in a locker.

As they search for him, it becomes apparent that all is not as it seems. His psychiatrist, Dr. Lesley, worries as he was showing signs of suffering from schizophrenia, while Scott’s brother Mark states that his brother was too soft for the army and certainly couldn’t kill a man.

The case takes a sinister twist when Dr. Lesley appears to have committed suicide by hanging himself, and his patient file on Scott Tanner is missing. Further confusing the matter is the fact that Lesley left money in his will to five soldiers, one of whom was Scott Tanner. Lesley’s papers also state that his last appointment was with a Dr. Jennifer Bing at a place called, “Hopewood.” Gently and Bacchus visit Bing who tells them that Lesley had worked with her for the army at the testing facility.

All roads lead back to the army but Gently is told by his superior to request any army interviews through him. Gently decides to further question Scott Tanner who opens up and explains that he was given drugs in Hopewood as part of a training exercise. At first it was like a trip, but then the experiments changed and he was tortured. He admits to the killing of the man in the Turkish bath. Bacchus feels that as Tanner signed up for the testing it’s not their case to investigate, but Gently thinks otherwise. Bing confirms that Lesley conducted clinical tests using LSD on servicemen volunteers, but they were safe and shows them a film that confirms that.

Scott’s brother Mark Tanner kidnaps Bing to find out the truth about the tests and his brother. As Mark Tanner seeks his brutal revenge, Gently rushes to beat him to the true culprit and in turn attempts make amends for his previous inaction during his time in service.