This is a new series that absolutely thrilled you, is that right?
Wow, totally! I think part of the reason for that was because I hadn’t read the blurb, so I think I went into expecting it to be a political thriller, going mainly by the title. Instead what I discovered was a hugely addictive new police procedural series (yeah, like you really needed another of these, Linda!), of which this is the fourth.
Our policeman is DS George Cross, who’s incredibly pedantic and particular about how things are done and said – he’s very probably on the spectrum. His sidekick is DS Janet Ottey, who is probably the only other copper who will tolerate his foibles, and help him out in social and family situations.
So who is the politician?
Peggy Frampton is a retired mayor of the town, and now spends a lot of time on social media as a kind of agony aunt, advising people on a wide range of problems – something which has made her enemies in the past, as she doesn’t mince her words! She’s also still involved in local politics; her main concern is the preservation of special local buildings in Bristol. Again, this causes animosity, mainly with developers, with one particular company’s development being held up for years and eventually turned down for the final time, despite all their attempts to please Peggy, her followers, and the planning committee by making whatever changes they could.
And things aren’t perfect at home, either, are they?
No, that’s right – her husband, a barrister, has been having an affair (the most recent of many, it would seem), whilst her son has big money problems. The only honest and upstanding member of the family appears to be her daughter, who’s a GP.
So the son’s many problems – could that be a motivation?
Well, a considerable amount of valuable jewellery was stolen too, according to her husband – although there’s something about this which bothers George, although he keeps his counsel about it until he’s sure.
George also decides to do some detective work in his private life, too…
Yes – his mother, who left him with his father when he was fairly young, has reappeared on the scene again, and wants to build bridges with George. However, believing she has no right to ask anything of him now, he ignores her approaches. The local vicar, though, asks him to think again, and he’s urged to use his professional skills in his private life, as all may not be as it appears here, either…
To sum things up, then, you’ve found a new detective series you enjoy…
I absolutely loved it – plus the end kept me guessing totally! (Yes, I know, you think you’re good at solving these books as you’ve read loads and got a few villains correctly identified!) There were plenty of possible murderers, and viable theories, so I was left guessing.
I also think there was great characterisation – not just Cross and Ottey, but everybody in the book seemed believable. And I’ll be honest – I immediately looked at the rest of the series, and bought book one (The Dentist – I think they must be named after the victim’s job, or perhaps even hobby – there’s The Cyclist available too!)
The real star of the book, though, is DS George Cross himself. Despite clues about DS Janet Ottey having had doubts in the past regarding working with him, you get the feeling they now rub along just fine, and despite being very different, compliment each other wonderfully. Which makes for a superb read! (And it’d actually make great Sunday night detective telly, too!)
Catch this superb series before it’s stratospheric!
I read this book courtesy of The Pigeonhole, an app which daily releases “staves” of books just before they come out, and allows you to leave thoughts and communicate with other readers too, making it a sociable experience, as well as a way of getting to read some great new books, and discover new series and authors. Many thanks to all at Pigeonhole, and my lovely fellow readers!
Author Tim Sullivan
crimeworm 