'It was the news they had all been dreading, confirmation of a fourth victim.'When the body of a young woman is found by a Northumberland railway line, it's a baptism of fire for the Murder Investigation Team's newest detective duo: DCI David Stone and DS Frankie Oliver.The case is tough by anyone's standards, but Stone is convinced that there's a leak in his team - someone is giving the killer a head start on the investigation. Until he finds out who, Stone can only trust his partner.But Frankie is struggling with her own past. And she isn't the only one being driven by a personal vendetta. The killer is targeting these women for a reason. And his next target is close to home...
The Insider by Mari Hannah is published in paperback by Orion on 1 November 2018. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review and who invited me to take part in this blog tour.
Forgive me Mari Hannah, and Orion Books, for I have sinned! This is the author's tenth book and it's also the first book of hers that I have read. I have no idea how this happened! I've been aware of Mari Hannah for years, I even met her at a book event, yet for some reason, I've never read her before.
Big mistake! Huge huge mistake! The only positive thing about my big mistake is that I know have nine books to go back and read and if The Insider is anything like her other books, Im in for such a treat.
I absolutely adored this book. I almost inhaled it, I couldn't put it down. I was totally in love with the amazing lead characters and just blown away by the perfection of the writing, plotting and suspense.
Yes, this is book two of the Stone and Oliver series, but honestly, don't let that put you off. This author is so skilful; she gives the back story of these two incredible characters throughout The Insider, but doesn't over burden the reader with details - there is just enough information and it adds so much depth to the whole story.
Stone and Oliver are called in to take over a murder inquiry. The previous SIO has left the case, left the area and left the force. Not only have Stone as SIO and Oliver as second in command got to get to grips with the finer details of the case, they also have to deal with a fairly negative team of officers. Then, just as they start the investigations, another body is found. There's a serial killer on the loose in rural Northumberland and there does not appear to be any link between the victims.
Mari Hannah has not only created some of the best police characters that I've come upon for a long time, she also takes her readers and plants them firmly in the heart of the North East of England. Her sense of place is amazing and this fabulous location becomes a character within its own right. I'm fairly familiar with the area, but it's clear from this amazing writing that Mari Hannah know the setting so well. It's almost a advertisement for the area (without the murder victim of course), and I've already been Googling places to stay in Northumberland.
This is an expertly plotted crime novel; the story is intriguing and builds up to a reveal that I certainly didn't see coming. The characters are believable, realistic and very easy to warm to.
First class crime writing from an author who has an incredible talent. My Waterstone's basket has at least two of Mari Hannah's previous books in it and I'm really looking forward to reading more from her.
Mari Hannah is a multi-award-winning author whose authentic voice is no happy accident. A former probation officer, she lives in rural Northumberland with her partner, an ex-murder detective.
Mari turned to script-writing when her career was cut short following an assault on duty.
Her debut, The Murder Wall (adapted from a script she developed with the BBC) won her the Polari First Book Prize. Its follow-up, Settled Blood, picked up a Northern Writers' Award.
Her Kate Daniels series is in development with Stephen Fry's production company, Sprout Pictures.
She is currently Reader in Residence for Harrogate International Crime Writing Festival.
Mari's body of work won her the CWA Dagger in the Library 2017, an incredible honour to receive so early on in her career.
Twitter @mariwriter
Website : www.marihannah.com
No comments:
Post a Comment