Precis
How far would you go
if someone took your wife? Especially, if you buried her a week ago. When Jason
Wells is faced with this scenario, he is confronted with the prospect of
committing a crime that will have far-reaching consequences. Can young get
through to him before he crosses that line, or does a desperate husband prove
to be the case she won’t ever forget? A prequel novella, set before Shallow
Waters, the first in the DI Hannah Robbins series.
My review
I am always looking for a good detective story or, better
still, a good series. I chose this novella as an introduction to DI Hannah Robbins who features in the Detective Hannah Robbins Crime Series. (Shallow
Waters and Made to be Broken)
I don’t read other reviews (except for scanning the ratings)
before selecting/agreeing to a book for review. I did not realise that this
story, although a prequel to the series, is about DC Sally Poynter not DI Hannah Robbins. Initially, this
was a disappointment to me. After drafting up my review then reading other
reviews, I realised that Sally Poynter, as a member of Robbins team, is a
character in the two books of the series. Yes, I need to pay more attention in
the future.
Having said that, while I didn’t get a strong impression of
the main character of the series, I did get an insight into the quality of Ms
Bradley’s writing and very much liked what I read. She certainly has imagination
and her experience as a police officer brings reality to her story.
The story starts immediately with an unusual crime and moves
smoothly and consistently; essential for a novella. It is an absorbing and
interesting story line, well-paced, with short chapters and building tension at
the end.
The characters are well developed and demonstrate not only
good detecting skills but very much life as a police officer.
DC Sally Poynter is
the newest team member and wants to show she can do a good job. She has the
support of her boss and the other team members with one exception who is a misogynistic
bully. She is capable but insecure with a willingness to try hard and learn
while trying to balance her marriage.
I felt for Jason
Wells, the young man who has recently lost his wife and now finds her body has
been stolen. To get her back he has to commit a crime.
My heart went out to Lewis, who was Jason’s wife devoted
dog. He is a totally loveable, if four-legged, character in the story. I kept
hoping nothing would happen to him. One point that amused me was when Jason
explained to Sally why he was named Lewis. He was named after the offsider of
Morse from the television series. Sally explains that she doesn’t watch police
crime shows because they are not realistic “they never do any paperwork.” It made
me smile and wonder if this was a personal view of Ms Bradley’s.
My rating 3*. I will certainly be
getting copies of the other two book in the series.
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