‘Never Apologise, Never Explain’ by James Craig

Published by Constable and Robinson,

2 February 2012.

ISBN: 978-1-84901-584-4

The killing of Agatha Mills in her flat just across from the British Museum in London, looks to Inspector Carlyle an open and shut case - her husband Henry of thirty years did it.  It would, mused Carlysle be good to wrap it up quickly.

This is not your normal crime fiction whodunit.  Carlyle is not a larger than life hero, keen to put in the hours, dedicated to finding the perpetrator.  Basically Carlyle wants to get a result and get home, so that his wife Helen doesn’t give him a hard time.  He cares about his daughter Alice, and he loves Danish pastries - even the offer of one will get his attention.

Contacted by TV presenter Rosanna Snowden who thinks she is being stalked, a whore Carlyle has known from way back whose says her child is in danger from her father, Carlyle owes then both but will he help? Well, if he can get to it. But life so often gets in the way, his boss Superintendent Carole Simpson certainly gets in his way.  I wanted him to do more, but when I looked at it in reality I realised he was doing what he could, but as I have said he is not a super hero.  But I warmed to him as the story unfolded, he did the best he could, but sometimes the truth maybe just isn’t worth the paperwork, sometimes, maybe you just take the result.  I suspect that this is how it pans out in the real world.

I found this compelling reading for many reasons, but you need to read the book for yourself to see if the reality works for you.   A real page turner, this book is highly recommended.

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Lizzie Hayes

  

James Craig was born in Scotland, but has lived and worked in London for thirty years. He worked as a journalist for ten years, and as a TV producer for Five.

His first book London Calling was published in 2011.