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Saturday, 17 January 2015

‘Snow White Must Die’ by Nele Neuhaus



Published by Macmillan, \
29 August 2013.  ISBN: 978-1-4472-2707-8

27 year old Tobias has been let out of prison, after a ten-year for a double killing he can’t remember committing: his ex-girlfriend Laura and her friend, the beautiful ‘Snow White’.  Now he has only home to return to – except his father’s business is ruined, his mother’s left, and the local Mr Big is the only one who welcomes him back.  Then some workers find a body in an abandoned airfield, and the case is opened again ...

This German police procedural was an excellent read.  The two main cops (there was a sizeable team) were both likeable, and their personal problems were persuasively handled.  The station background came alive too.  There was a big cast of characters, and at times I did find it hard to keep track – partly, to be fair, because of the unfamiliar names – but the leads were well drawn: Tobias, struggling to come to terms with the world he’s returned to, his childhood friend turned glam actress Nadia, the teenage rebel Amelie and her autistic friend Thies.  There was a good balance of action and interviewing, and I enjoyed the German setting, which came across vividly.

Fast-moving, atmospheric, and very readable.
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Reviewer: Marsali Taylor

Nele Neuhaus is one of the most widely read German mystery writers and the author of Snow White Must Die and Bad Wolf. More than four million copies of her books are currently in print. She lives near Frankfurt, Germany.








Marsali Taylor grew up near Edinburgh, and came to Shetland as a newly-qualified teacher. She is currently a part-time teacher on Shetland's scenic west side, living with her husband and two Shetland ponies. Marsali is a qualified STGA tourist-guide who is fascinated by history, and has published plays in Shetland's distinctive dialect, as well as a history of women's suffrage in Shetland. She's also a keen sailor who enjoys exploring in her own 8m yacht, and an active member of her local drama group.  Marsali also does a regular monthly column for the Mystery People e-zine.

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