Reviewed by Chris
Longmuir
Original and Exciting
Crime Thriller
I loved this book, not only because it is a murder mystery,
which is my favourite reading material, but because it was well written,
original, exciting, and full of suspense. There aren’t enough adjectives to do
justice to how much I was engrossed with this novel.
The characterisation was spot on. Beatrice Stubbs, a
Scotland Yard detective sent to Zurich to lead an international investigative
team, steps off the page and becomes very real. At times likeable, at others
unlikeable, she is far from perfect as a person. Her flaws are realistic and
she has an intriguing past I wanted to know more about. Likewise, her team
present as realistic characters. I particularly liked Xavier the least
experienced member, maybe because he seemed vulnerable in comparison to Sabine,
the crime analyst; Keese, the e-crime and IT forensics specialist; Conceição,
the DNA advisor; and of course Herr Källin, the uptight Zurich investigative
officer who resents Beatrice’s presence. Each character was well
differentiated, all with their own persona and traits.
The plot was an interesting and original one. a series of
suicides linked by the same person’s DNA found at each scene. The flashbacks to
how these deaths occurred was interwoven expertly into the narrative, making
sure the reader was always one step ahead of the investigative team, and
although the reveal was anticipated it still had enough twist to make it a
surprise.
However, when Beatrice herself became a target it wasn’t
totally unexpected, and I couldn’t help feeling she’d been a bit naive and
trusting. I will say no more, because I don’t want to include a spoiler.
I really enjoyed this book, and because I bought the box set
that means I have another two Beatrice Stubbs investigations to look forward
to.
Chris Longmuir
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