The Dying Place by Luca Veste
DI Murphy and DS Rossi discover the body of known troublemaker Dean Hughes, dumped on the steps of St Mary’s Church in West Derby, Liverpool. His body is covered with the unmistakable marks of torture.
As they hunt for the killer, they discover a worrying pattern. Other teenagers, all young delinquents, have been disappearing without a trace.
Who is clearing the streets of Liverpool?
Where are the other missing boys being held?
And can Murphy and Rossi find them before they meet the same fate as Dean?
My Thoughts:
This novel is wonderfully crafted in alternating views and alternating timelines. Not a simple task to create for a writer, but it reads easily. You don’t feel as though you are being jerked out of the story at all, it flows naturally.
It starts with a missing, then dead boy and moves to the start of the ‘project’ before we are introduced to DI David Murphy and DS Laura Rossi who we know from Veste’s previous book, Dead Gone.
Murphy and Rossi are investigating the death of a boy found on the steps of the church. It’s a steady investigation, but our attention is held because of the switch to the place the boys are being held. We get to know what is happening and we get to know the why.
This makes for an interesting novel as Veste explores the subject of the trouble makers in our youth of today and how they are viewed by society.
As the police investigation progresses and the timeline of the project keep crossing, there are lots of thrills and surprises to keep you on your toes.
Veste doesn’t pull his punches either. Don’t expect a cosy police procedural. It’s a tough subject. Tightly plotted and not written to please, it’s written to keep you turning the pages and leave you gasping in shock. That’s what the crime genre is meant for and this book does it in spades. I’m now looking forward to the next Veste novel.
You can read my thoughts on Dead Gone Here.
Follow my reviews on Goodreads Here.
Jose Ignacio says
Thank you Rebecca, Luca Veste is an author I’m very much looking forward to reading.
Rebecca Bradley says
I think you’ll enjoy reading him Jose. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Margot Kinberg says
I’ve heard Veste’s work is like that, Rebecca – pulling no punches, but really engaging reads. And this one sounds like it touches on some important topics too. Thanks for the share.
Rebecca Bradley says
It is Margot. And it makes me wonder where he’s going to go with book number 3!
Jacqui Murray says
It frightens me a bit, Rebecca. I’m not that good with gritty reality. Maybe that’s why I like fiction.
Rebecca Bradley says
It’s always good to escape into the fiction isn’t it? Knowing it’s not real. But often the lines are blurred now, depending on the book you pick up.