Master storyteller Jeffrey Archer delivers once again. Big time.

The London Metropolitan Police have formed a cold case squad, a group of elite detectives they call the Unsolved Murders Unit. Detective Chief Inspector William Warwick is running this new squad, partnering with Ross Hogan, who has been reluctantly called in from undercover work. Together, these two are a formidable force. Warwick is the keen observer and staunch lawman, while Hogan is the risk taker and the rogue.

Hogan will get results in whatever way he deems necessary. Knowing that, he is assigned what could be considered the trickiest of the cases. The cases that the Unit has chosen to reopen focus on some of the toughest criminals in the city. And some of the deadliest. These bad guys know how to fly under the radar. More sinister, a lot of them have friends in high places.

"Archer’s major talent shines in his ability to create likable yet flawed protagonists, and villains no one wants to root for. It doesn’t hurt that he can craft a story like no else can."

The most wanted among these bad guys is Miles Faulkner, a notorious art thief and convicted felon. But Faulkner is no longer in jail; he’s in the ground. Despite a well-publicized funeral, though, something told Warwick that the man isn’t dead. So when news of Faulkner’s reemergence surfaces, he isn’t surprised. He and his wife, Beth, are enjoying a pleasant cruise, but that will have to end for him. Recapturing Faulkner takes precedence. Timing is crucial, so Warwick wistfully says goodbye to Beth and rushes back to London.

Of course, Faulkner has gone to great lengths to hide and has provided himself with a number of alternate identities, complete with passports claiming several interesting business pursuits and addresses. Unfortunately, these identities work very well, and he manages to elude Warwick again, which lands the detective in hot water with his boss. Now, not only does he have the cold case on his hands, he also must arrest Faulkner or risk severe consequences. It looks grim for Warwick.

There ensues a merry chase around Europe. Faulkner has the means to disappear whenever he feels threatened, so off he goes, covering his tracks well. Even though Warwick and Hogan are superb trackers, the Metropolitan Police has a less robust budget, causing big headaches for the coppers. Plus, there’s the thorny issue of jurisdiction. However, recovering some priceless stolen art might be enough reason to bend the rules a tiny bit. With all of the resources at hand --- Spanish authorities, London police, even Warwick’s wife --- and some shenanigans on the part of Hogan, it appears that the thief doesn’t stand a chance of escaping a third time. It’s how they catch him that’s the most entertaining part.

OVER MY DEAD BODY carries a cast of many talented policemen, detectives and criminals, all of whom play a vital part in creating a story that reads like it’s unfolding before your eyes in real time. Archer’s major talent shines in his ability to create likable yet flawed protagonists, and villains no one wants to root for. It doesn’t hurt that he can craft a story like no else can. The Unsolved Murders Unit deserves an encore.