St. Martin's, Jul 2003, 23.95, 288 pp.
ISBN: 0312311923
Her lover and police partner saves the life of Detective Sergeant Kate Power when he pushes her out of the way of an oncoming vehicle. His valiant effort leaves Robin dead. A distraught Kate cannot display her grief at her devastating loss because Robin's widow and children legally own that right. Unable to cope with the memories and refusing to work with the individual who caused the failed operation that led to Robin's death, Kate, using the excuse of caring for an elderly relative, transfers to Birmingham.
Her great-aunt Cassie moves into a senior citizen community while also giving her house to Kate to live in though it needs plenty of repairs. Between the renovations and adjusting to her new law enforcement job, Kate has little time to think about Robin though she has been stuck in the office since arriving in Birmingham. Unable to resist and fighting ennui, Kate begins her own inquiries into the case of the sexual assaults on two small boys and the alleged murder of one the lads.
This is an engaging English police procedural that works on two levels. The investigation is top rate and hooks the audience from the moment Kate dives into it. As fascinating is the deep look into the mourning by Kate, the “other woman” who cannot let her grief be known to anyone. Thus readers obtain a deep character study inside a strong detective tale as the opening gamut of what has the potential to be a fine series.
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Book descript. of violence and chases - 10% Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40% Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30% How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 20%
Tone of story
- suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
How difficult to spot villain?
- Very difficult--no foreshadowing/clues
Time/era of story:
- present (2000-2010)
What % of story relates directly
to the mystery, not the subplot?
- 60%
Kind of investigator
- police procedural, British
Kid or adult book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Any non-mystery subplot?
- feelings of fear/loss/inadequacy
Crime Thriller
Yes
Murder Mystery (killer unknown)
Yes
Main Character
Gender
- Female
Profession/status:
- police/lawman
Age:
- 20's-30's
How much violence does he/she use?
- just the right amount
Ethnicity/Race
- British
How sensitive is this character?
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Very much smarter than other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- small businessman
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
Motive of antagonist
- power
How sensitive is this character?
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Setting
Europe
Yes
European country:
- England/UK
Style
Person
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
How many deaths?
- 2
Amount of dialog
- significantly more dialog than descript
