The Expert

Early one morning a young Maltese girl is found stabbed to death. Fleming is immediately convinced that her ex-boyfriend is guilty. Hardy has other ideas.

Hardy is much possessed by the problems surrounding the scientific fact of death. And in this story of an elderly retired Major, his wife and son, the police become totally involved as well.

Cedric Lambert, a lonely 54-year-old bachelor, visits Dr Jo Hardy in her surgery. But apparently there is nothing wrong with his health - all he wishes to do is to show her an antique book.

Dr Hardy has told Harry Fletcher that he could not be the father of his wife's child. Harry confronts his wife's lover, Michael Jackson.

After fifteen years of childless marriage, Ruth Fletcher has a son. But she has a problem which she takes to Jo Hardy: is it possible that her husband is not the father?

Gypsies led by Samuel Brown arrive in the Hardy neighbourhood - to the horror of many residents. A public meeting is called to discuss the 'problem.' But protest can go too far.

Fleming and Hardy are used to hit-and-run cases where they find a body but no car. In this curious case the situation is reversed: a blood-stained car but no body.

The body of an attractive young girl is found by the roadside. Who was she? How did she get there? How did she die? Hardy and Fleming are faced with finding the answer.

The body of a student is found in a pig-fattening shed. Hardy has to establish the cause of death.

Why should a businessman crash into a bridge support at 80 m.p.h.? When the post-mortem reveals him to have died as a result of the impact, and not from physical causes. What other reason could there be for the accident?

While its owner is on holiday an abandoned dog wanders the streets and becomes savage, causing the death of a derelict meths-drinker. Could there be some similarity in the lives of man and dog?

Eddie spends much of his time in a betting shop. After a win of forty pounds he is found strangled in his own home. His grandson, who lived with him, is missing. Why is he trying to leave the country with forty pounds in his pocket?

A man is shot three times in front of witnesses. When the police arrive there is no body. Has he been shot? Is he really dead?

A woman lies dead in a country road, apparently the victim of a hit-and-run driver. But something doesn't quite fit. She lived in the town. Why would she be in the country at that time - in those shoes? And what about the tyre marks?

A doctor may reasonably diagnose a brain tumour as the cause of death of his first wife. But when his second wife dies in similar circumstances and both are known to have been wealthy women.

Dr. Hardy is involved in tracing a ruthless psychotic killer who is employed by the accused in an attempt to suborn witnesses. He is determined to give his evidence, but the police issue firearms to protect his life.

Jo's car is run off the road by a lorry. The driver may be guilty of dangerous driving. Dr Hardy receives a letter threatening his wife's life and demanding he change his evidence. Hardy refuses but it is at the risk of his wife's life.

There are classic symptoms of strychnine poisoning when a wealthy landowner dies after eating a trout, freshly caught, the question is who poisoned him? And how?

A hospital ward is destroyed by fire. Could it be deliberate - and if so, who would want to burn down a hospital and why?

An old man relies upon his daughter to look after him during convalescence but she has her own life to lead.

A grocer, Harry Kirby, lies dead - poisoned, electrocuted, and gassed. If suicide can be established, surely this is gilding the lily. Why was a large sum of money found laid out neatly beside the body? And if it wasn't suicide.

Protection: you can refuse to pay, you can go to the police for their protection - or you can stand the risk yourself.

That little Lucille died a violent death was certain; how she died was more obscure. Dr. Hardy's painstaking research and insistence on accuracy finally establishes the truth.

Estate Duties - a curse to be avoided? When a businessman is found drowned it could mean ruin for his family.

A man is found guilty of murdering his wife and sentenced to life imprisonment - could he be innocent? Unquestionably, the facts prove him guilty. Or do they?

Illegitimate babies present problems. Bringing one up in an atmosphere of disapproval can be harder than the alternative. To some, the decision is easy; a matter of practical common sense. To others it's life and death.

When violent death strikes down a pretty farm girl, Dr Hardy and Inspector Fleming come up against a wall of stubborn reserve. Persistence at last brings Dr Hardy to a 'not inconsiderable suspicion' of the killer's identity. But proof.

A smashed lock, a bloodstained jacket, a drifting boat and a takeover bid. Dr. Hardy with the aid of a few bright feathers and silk thread solves the mystery of a disappearing man.

Martin Ingram, who has been arrested for assaulting Vivien, stands trial for his alleged crime. He is defended by a brilliant woman Q.C. The result of the trial remains in doubt until almost the last moment.

Hardy is trying to piece together the burnt pieces of paper found in the suspect's room. Jo has been asked to try and break the surviving victim's amnesia by hypnosis. The suspect is questioned at length. The case builds up against him.

Murders take place and each crime is similar to the last. One person must have committed them; but who? Another attack. The victim survives but has amnesia and is the only person who can make an identification. A suspect is arrested.

A man falls overboard from a ship near Hull and washed ashore dead. Injuries sustained in the water means he is unrecognizable. The most careful planning can go awry and only an expert can interpret the facts with which he is presented.

An old man dies. When his housekeeper returns some unused tablets to the chemist, suspicion clouds the issue. Dr. Hardy is brought in to conduct various tests and he questions the principals in the case.

A woman is found dead by the side of a railway line. Hardy is brought in to help the police. The woman has been murdered, and as they investigate, the police and Hardy realise that they have a dangerous psychopath loose in their area.

Mr. Toller is a who has no time for the weak or the idle, without humour. Jo Hardy is treating him, he is arrogant and she patiently tries to diagnose what is causing his illness, which becomes more and more serious.

A girl is assaulted in a park and the only witness is her young daughter. The police are certain they know who did it, but the girl cannot identify the man in an identity parade.

Miss Daley has given up working because her old boss is leaving. She finds out that he is still with the firm and becomes very ill. She goes to see Jo Hardy and tells her that she's convinced she has heart trouble.

Actual causes of death and accurate timing of the death can be essential to a defense in a trial. Dr. Hardy appears as the expert witness for the defense and finds himself opposed by his former professor.

Penny Goodwin shoots her husband in cold blood and there appears to be no motive. Why she has killed him is far from clear. When Hardy starts an investigation, he uncovers a most ingenious plot which even Fleming will not believe.

Three bullets, a dead man, and £50,000 in insurance. Troubles arise when Dr. Hardy discovers the Unknown Factor.