Published by Riverrun,
4 May 2017.
ISBN: 978-1-78429-726-8
4 May 2017.
ISBN: 978-1-78429-726-8
It's 1969 and a high-class prostitute named Lena but
known as Julie Teenager, should be in her flat awaiting her next client but
Florence her maid is puzzled to find her place empty.
Detective Sergeant Cathal Breen is
called in to investigate when she is found murdered. He is soon convinced that
it is one of her clients who killed her but which one? There now begins the
difficult task of tracing them all. The only names the police have to go on are
made up ones by Florence based on their appearances.
Breen finds out that the local beat
policemen were warned to keep away from Julie's road at night. Who could be
responsible for such as order? Could there be a policeman with influence
involved or does it go even higher? When Breen digs deeper and seems to be
getting nearer the truth, more murders are committed.
His pregnant girlfriend, an
ex-police officer, Helen Tozer, is bored now she has given up work and insists
on helping Breen. The more they discover the more they are convinced that
politics come into it, especially involving Russia and the exchange of spies.
As Helen becomes more involved Breen begins to fear for her safety, with good
reason. He also has the creepy feeling that he is being followed but he wonders
if he is getting paranoid or is whoever is responsible just very good at it?
It all leads to a great finale but
it leaves Breen wondering if he really wants to carry on as a policeman.
Another great story well written,
from William Shaw, I do like his books. I particularly enjoyed the nostalgic
feeling of the sixties, I remember all the events he describes well. It is easy
to forget how different lives were without mobile telephones, they really do
have their uses!
A really good book full of intrigue
which keeps the reader guessing right until the final pages. Hurry up with your
next one William! Highly recommended.
------
Reviewer: Tricia Chappell
William
Shaw was born in
Newton Abbot, Devon, and lived for sixteen
years in Hackney. For over twenty years he has written on popular culture and
sub-culture for various publications including the Observer and the New York
Times. A Song from Dead Lips is his
first novel. He lives in Brighton.
Tricia
Chappell. I have a
great love of books and reading, especially crime and thrillers. I play the
occasional game of golf (when I am not reading). My great love is cruising
especially to far flung places, when there are long days at sea for plenty more
reading! I am really enjoying reviewing books and have found lots of great new
authors.
