Brodie Farrell finds things. We have all sorts of protagonists out there but Brodie doesn’t fit the profile of a PI as she has one rule, she doesn’t undertake to find people, just things. Of course in this story she makes an exception, when she is approached by Hugh Daws, who has come from South Africa specifically to find someone.
Artist Serena Daws, a tempestuous woman always seeking attention, commands her husband’s by taking a string of lovers under the pretext of painting them. When Serena is found stabbed to death and her husband Robert missing ,there appears to be only one conclusion to draw. Amidst this mayhem are the two young daughters Jonny fourteen and Em eleven, both traumatised and with no relations other than there father’s brother Hugh and their mother’s sister, Constance Ward. Hugh wants Brodie to find Constance. If aunt Constance cannot be located, the two children will return to South Africa with their father’s brother.
Meanwhile the two girls who have always been taught at home by their mother are adrift, in the short term being cared for by Perris Daws, Hugh’s wife. Brodie suggests that a friend of hers Daniel Hood, who is a teacher, should tutor them to give some format and semblance of normality to their lives until their aunt can be located. There is considerable allusion to trauma recently suffered by Daniel Hood when his home and all his belongings were burnt, which is presumably why he is available to tutor the girls at the present time.
Investigating the murder is Superintendent Jack Deacon, who recommended Brodie Farrell to Hugh Daws. Brodie’s relationship with Deacon is rather reminiscent of that of Rose and Jack in the books by the late Janie Bolitho. I can’t say that I took to Jack but I really liked Brodie.
An interesting mystery which held my attention all the way to the breathtaking climax.
Nicolette Mackenzie did a fine job with this story. She has an excellent range
of voices, being able to produce marvellous children’s voices and very convincing
male voices. I liked her delivery and will look out for other books read by
her.
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Lizzie Hayes
Other titles in this series Echo of Lies and True Witness