In their daily battle against a remorseless tide of crime, officers of London's Metropolitan Police routinely risk their lives protecting the Capital. In The Brave Blue Line Dick Kirby, the former Scotland Yard detective turned popularcrime author, has brought together a superb collection of inspiring stories of police gallantry over the last hundred years.Officers to be honoured with the George Cross, the highest civilian award, have their stories told including Jim Beaton who saved Princess Anne from kidnap in The Mall.Three women officers have been awarded the George Medal, two for decoy work, the third for a heroic rooftop rescue.The book concludes with the astonishing story of a retired detective who tackled armed robbers - at the cost of his eye. He may have left the Met behind him but not his courage.Every page of this gripping book with its thrilling and well researched accounts of outstanding acts of gallantry by policemen and women makes for inspiring reading. This is crime writing of the highest order.