For regular readers of Natasha Cooper's work, any new novel is an anticipated pleasure. But for newcomers seeking stylish, clever and well-plotted crime fiction, it's an absolute must. Once again, there is a strong subject matter, a very complex and intriguing plot, an array of diverse and fascinating characters and the charismatic barrister Trish Maguire.
When Trish visits her police inspector friend Caro Lyalt for a companionable evening meal, neither could have anticipated it would end with Trish temporarily unwell but Caro dangerously ill in hospital with food poisoning - which turns out to be the deadly E.coli.0157 infection. Trish is determined to trace the source of the bad sausage meat but, as the packaging has been thrown away, she has nowhere to begin. She confides in farmer Will Applewood, who is currently her client in a civil case involving a serious breach of contract by a huge supermarket chain and he offers to make enquiries for her, showing a loathing for unscrupulous people trading in contaminated meat; deeper reasons for his particular loathing emerge as the plot thickens. His search leads him into dangerous areas; takes him to France where he discovers a gang handling contaminated meat secretly flown in from a private airstrip in Kent. When an investigative journalist and friend of Will is found dead, apparently having committed suicide as a protest against animal rights, Will knows this is nonsense. He later receives a video film shot by his friend which confirms this belief and Trish becomes further involved in the search to track down this unscrupulous and violent gang.
A touching and well-handled sub-plot involving a young child at risk from her violent stepfather together with Trish dealing with her own personal demons, makes this a totally engrossing book. The pace is fast and exciting; the loose ends are skilfully knitted together with total credibility at the end and with a further final surprise thrown in for good measure.
From an exciting and brutal Prologue to the rather gentle and romantic Epilogue,
this is a thoroughly satisfying read. Not to be missed
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Edna Jones Earlier books in the series are Creeping Ivy, Fault Lines, Prey
To All and Out of the Dark