Danuta Reah gives us food for thought in this novel but it is none the less readable for that. We are given access to a world those of us more fortunate hear about only through news or documentaries. Trafficking in Eastern European prostitutes, who are presumably in the UK for a better way of life, provides the background for a murder investigation. We get three contrasting perspectives, all alike in their lack of glamour. From the mind of the desperate illegal immigrant, Anna Krleza, we feel not only her fear, but her consciousness that she has had no opportunity to wash or change her clothes. We are in her head as we hear the abuse from passers by this attracts. Police detectives Lyn Jordan and Roy Farnham show us the sympathetic and unsympathetic sides of the law. The university interest is academic. Lecturer Roz Bishop is concerned only in so far as the transcript of a police interview tape can aid her in resolving the mystery of her colleague Gemma Wishart's disappearance.
Gemma, a university researcher and Russian languages expert, was assisting Detective Inspector Lyn Jordan in trying to establish the origin of a woman found dead in the Humber Estuary. A comment made by Gemma just before her disappearance leads Roz to believe her colleague had some outstanding concern about the tape. However, to all appearances, Gemma's report of the tape seems complete. Roz is not satisfied and is anxious to get to the bottom of this puzzle.
Lyn has the responsibility of putting a stop to the prostitution of illegal immigrants. Working with Detective Chief Inspector Roy Farnham on a murder investigation, we see her trying to show an understanding of the illegal immigrant community, in the hope of helping. This complements well with Farnham's less sympathetic, 'by the book' approach.
Suspense is maintained effectively throughout the novel, in an understated fashion, which makes it all the more sinister. In particular, I found the scene of a woman driving alone on Snake Pass quite eerie. As one who does quite a lot of night driving, I could certainly identify with her unease.
The range of characters is varied, drawn with depth and sensitivity. Despite the differences, each manages to gain our sympathy as we enter their point of view.
An entertaining novel, which keeps us reading while making us think. Recommended.
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Mary Andrea Clarke