Each book of Crombie is more interesting than the previous one and I love reading this new author who has a perfecting her own style of telling her stories.
The Gist:
The story begins with Sandra an artist who is walking through the market
on a Sunday with her three year old daughter Charlotte. She stops at her usual stall and chats with a friend. She asks him to look after the child for a minute and then walks off never to return.
Everyone believes she walked off to a new life, leaving behind a distraught Asian husband and a child, still waiting for her mum. However, when the husband is found dead under suspicious circumstances, Scotland Yard steps in to investigate. This prompts new enquiries into Sandra's disappearance as well. James and Kincaid get together to solve the case while grappling with their own personal issues.
I found it extremely interesting how these detectives were shown in a relationship while solving cases. I had never come across a duo connected this way on a personal level. But Crombie handles it well. Without overdoing it, she strikes a great balance.
What works:
- The smooth way in which she introduces characters and the plot.
- The setting is also laid out in a very simple and clear way.
- Kudos to the American writer for her keen insight into the British Asian community.
What doesn't:
- Nothing really. The story and the characters are laid out quite effectively.
- The depiction of the murky world of trafficking is very well explained and blends well with the fabric of the story.
- The suspense is kept well and the pace is fine without perplexing the reader in any way.
A good read and a writer I heartily recommend to anyone interesting in reading someone who explores the genre from a new angle.
