The Recently Read posts are not typical book reviews. As a writer, I do not believe I should be reviewing the hard work of other writers. These posts are simply books I have recently read and enjoyed and will share with you. They will not always be crime books as I am trying to widen my reading selection. I hope you enjoy some of these with me.
Everyone Lies by A. D. Garrett
DI Kate Simms is on the fast track to nowhere. Five years ago she helped a colleague when she shouldn’t have. She’s been clawing her way back from a demotion ever since. Professor Nick Fenimore is a failed genetics student, successful gambler, betting agent, crime scene officer, chemistry graduate, toxicology specialist and one-time scientific advisor to the National Crime Faculty. He is the best there is, but ever since his wife and daughter disappeared he’s been hiding away in Scotland, working as a forensics lecturer.
In Manchester, drug addicts are turning up dead and Simms’ superior is only too pleased to hand the problem to her. Then a celebrity dies and the media gets interested. Another overdose victim shows up, but this time the woman has been systematically beaten and all identifying features removed. The evidence doesn’t add up; Simms’ superiors seem to be obstructing her investigation; and the one person she can’t afford to associate with is the one man who can help: Fenimore.
My Thoughts;
A. D. Garrett is the pseudonym for the collaborative writing of British crime writer Margaret Murphy and forensic scientist Professor Dave Barclay, and boy can you tell that a crime writer and forensic scientist have got together!
This pairing has made for a brilliantly written crime fiction, police procedural novel. The forensic science in this book will keep all those interested in the behind the scenes work, extremely happy. There is plenty of detail to soak up and it’s the kind detail you’re interested in, not that, that will have you wandering off to your grocery list for half an hour.
The characters were believable and sympathetic, in fact, I really did feel for the protagonist Kate at some points during the story as she battled against a male network of supervisors (yes I noticed that) who wanted the job wrapped up neatly long before she thought it was ready as well as battling the job against a married home life. Not an easy task!
It has a grim and dark undercurrent running throughout and will keep you hooked.
Rebecca – I love it too when you can see that much expertise in a novel. And it’s an interesting pairing of characters too. I’ve been seeing more of those kinds of pairings lately and I find it absolutely fascinating. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this.
It was a great mix of expertise and great writing. There are so many great books out there. I need to read faster!
This sounds like my sort of book, Rebecca. I love problem-solving, forensics, damaged people (of course I do; I like thrillers).
It certainly brings all of those together.
I love forensics so this sounds like it’s right up my alley! 😀
It’s detailed and a great read!
I love the title. It opens up so many possibilities!
I will keep a look out for this one – it sound just the sort of book I like to read, thanks Rebecca for drawing it to my attention.