Rating: Good
Source: NetGalley
Description: A young couple discover human remains buried in the garden of their new house: could this be the resting place of 14-year-old Amanda Knight, who disappeared from the same garden two decades before, and was never seen again?
The problem comes almost as a relief to DCI Slider, still suffering from the fallout of his previous case. He is not popular with the Powers That Be, and his immediate boss, Detective Superintendent Porson, reckons that at least this little puzzle will keep Slider out of trouble. After all, with a murder twenty years in the past, this is the coldest of cold cases. Most of the suspects and principal players are now dead too, and all passion is long spent ... Or is it?
Genre: Mystery - Police Procedural
Why I Picked This Book: I've been wanting to try this author for awhile and I'm always a fan of old bones found in gardens!
My Impression: I do love a cold case and this was not only a cold case but an intriguing take on one. Not only is Slider trying to solve a twenty year old murder and deal with an investigation that never really happened but he is also wrestling with internal politics and the conflict between the old order and the new.
The mystery itself is intriguing. A body buried underneath a garden shed. Twenty years for the suspects to disappear and any witness to forget everything. No real investigation in the disappearance to refer too. Slider and his team definitely have their work cut out for them and I loved following along with the investigation. Like most straight forward police procedurals the focus is mostly on the mystery which doesn't make for much character development. Going in this far into a series can be a little hit or miss but I really had no problem jumping in here. While I didn't necessarily learn who everyone in Slider's team right away I really didn't need to know who was who because it didn't distract from keeping up with the mystery. There is a subplot regarding an internal investigation that Slider got involved with. While I could have done without it it wasn't confusing and didn't take over the book.
This is a nice classic feeling mystery series with a likable if not hugely developed main character and a solid mystery. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author and this series.
Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely! I'm looking forward to trying some of the early mysteries.
Would I Recommend this Book? If you like a straight forward police procedural this is a solid read that will keep you entertained.
* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *
I love police procedurals and I haven't tried this author. It sounds like you were able to read a book that's well into the series without a problem so I'll try one of them. Thanks for a good review, Katherine.
ReplyDeleteSounds good. I never read this author before.
ReplyDeleteSounds good! How freaky would it be to find a body under your garden?
ReplyDeleteThis sounds good. I have never read this author either. So many good books....
ReplyDelete