It’s high summer and Trish is alone. George, her partner and David, her half brother have gone on holiday. Involved with Will Applewood and his fight against Furbishers Supermarket for closing him down by delaying a formal contract and then upping the price, Trish is unable to accompany them. Also away is Liz , the wife of Anthony, her head of chambers. Hmm!
Having dinner with her friend Caro Lyalt, Trish had no ideas the effect it would have on her case. For both Trish and Caro contract food poisoning - the deadly E-Coli 0157. Lucky for Trish she recovers quickly after a bad night but Caro is not so lucky and ends up in hospital in a critical condition.. When Trish relates the matter to Will Applewood he is determined to trace the source.
With Caro ill, Trish is asked if she will help with a child abuse case. Kym is at terrible risk but will not speak about her ordeal. Trish agrees and is appalled at what she suspects when she meets with Kym.
Meanwhile Will Applewood, who has been in limbo since the loss of his home and business, finally fires up his computer and finds a message and video footage from his friend, investigative journalist Jamie Maxden who had been found dead protesting for animal rights. But was he? Will decides to follow his lead, and first takes Trish to an abattoir, then he journeys to France in search of answers.
I hesitate to say this was a meaty mystery - terrible pun, but it certainly had me totally hooked. Rich in characters, and sub-plots - a David and Goliath mystery.; taking on the giants. I love these sort of mysteries - don't we all? It is also rich in emotional complications. Just who is Cynthia Flagg?
Marie McCarthy was excellent, providing just the right inflection for each
character and giving me a great deal of pleasure in listening to a book by one
of my favourite authors.
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Lizzie Hayes
Earlier books in the series are Creeping Ivy, Fault Lines, Prey To All and
Out of the Dark.