It says in the blurb for this book that the discovery by diver Flea Marley of a hand with no body attached to it is disturbing. I think that the whole book is disturbing. Whilst the story was so powerful as to make it impossible for me the reader not to finish it, I was aware as I was reading it that surely there cannot be so many people in close proximity so damaged - but maybe there are.
DI Jack Caffery has been seconded to the Major Crimes Investigation Unit in Bristol. Although involved in seeking the body that should be attached to the hands discovered by Flea Marley (yes she then found a second one) his main object seems to be to find ‘ the walking man’. When he does, don’t read it after a meal you might regurgitate it. Jack Caffery definitely has relationship problems mainly caused by his obsession with the abduction of his brother Ewan for which he blames himself.
And Flea Marley, daughter of parents who were also divers and killed in a diving accident, from which their bodies were never found, has bad problems. Flea’s brother also has issues, mainly denial. Flea has always been close to a friend of her father’s but in a moment of need she finds out more than maybe she wants to about him. And yes he is pretty dysfunctional.
The research into African rituals was impressive, I learnt maybe more than I wanted to, by that I don’t mean that the information was overdone, I mean that I don’t think that I wanted to know that there is that much evil in the world.
As I write this review I am still not sure of my feelings about the book. That it is a powerful piece of writing is certain. That once you start, it is compulsive reading. But it is an uncomfortable book, not for the cozy reader.
Andrew Wincott did an great job, he as a melodic voice, and I enjoyed his reading, but I am so used to hearing Andrew as Adam in the Radipo series 'The archers' I kept expecting him to say .. Brian…
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Lizzie Hayes