By: Chris Collett
ISBN: 9780727884343
Publisher: Severn House Publishers
Publication Date: 01/01/2015
Format: Hardcover
My Rating: 4 Stars
When a young woman disappears on her way home from work, Detective Inspector Tom Mariner tackles his most challenging investigation yet.
18-year-old Grace Clifton vanishes on her way home from work in the centre of Birmingham late at night, the case is remarkable in that not a single witness comes forward. The more he has to deal with Grace’s wealthy and overbearing father, Council Leader Bob Clifton, the more Tom Mariner is inclined to believe that Grace left of her own accord.
Then the package arrives. It contains Grace’s clothes, neatly pressed and laundered. A second woman disappears. And a disturbing pattern begins to emerge.
Still adapting to a new investigation team and struggling to pull its members together, Detective Inspector Mariner is about to tackle one of his strangest, most challenging cases to date.
My Review
A special thank you to Severn House Publishers and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Chris Collett’s latest crime mystery, DEAD OF NIGHT, A Tom Mariner Mystery delivers a suspenseful and fast-paced complex police procedural with some likable characters. Birmingham Detective Inspector Mariner is undertaking one of his most difficult cases, as he has come to terms with the loss of his former partner, Anna and attempts to move forward with his new girlfriend in Cambridge. In addition to his busy and hectic schedule, he is taking care of his autistic foster child, Jamie. As the book opens Grace Clifton goes missing; a teenage daughter of Councilor Bob Clifton, and he no doubt enjoys the kind of money and power that would make him a target for potential kidnappers, and Grace is an attractive young woman. Could Grace have chosen to disappear or that someone closer to home knew where she was? Current council leader would have substantial influence over police budgets for the next twelve months, at a time when public spending had become a dirty phase. And this was a man with an established record of criticism of the police. A very challenging case, Tom then has to deal with her overbearing and wealthy father. Elsewhere in the city Dominique is left alone, as her mother has not come home from work. When another young woman goes missing, the heat intensifies along with the suspense. Is a serial killer on their hands? Could these two cases be connected? A complex case, for a thrilling roller coaster ride. This was my first book by Collett, and now so intrigued, want to go back and read some of the back story in the previous books in the series. I really enjoyed the author’s inspiration behind the story. Inspiration Behind the Book I wish more authors would add this information at the ending of their books (if not included, I go searching the web), as I find it quite fascinating! You can read about Collett’s inspiration for the series (above link), and for DEAD OF NIGHT, in particular using multiple viewpoints, set in Birmingham, and how her characters began to emerge, with the central narrative linking them together and how it takes shape. In addition her expertise, working with children on the autistic spectrum. I really enjoyed detective Tom Mariner’s character, as he is sharp, with enough personal balance to make for an engaging read. I look forward to reading the previous books in the series and more from this British author!
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