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Thursday 8 June 2017

‘Death Trap’ by Anna Smith



Published by Quercus,
6 April 2017.
ISBN: 978-1-78429-483-0

Investigative journalist Rosie Gilmour has often engaged in dangerous investigations but in this book her life is under serious threat from the outset. Rosie was instrumental in the campaign to bring vicious serial killer Thomas Boag to court and, when Boag escapes from the courthouse, she knows it is probable that he’ll come after her.

However, Boag will have to tread carefully because he is hunted by an enemy more dangerous than the police, even though he killed a police officer making his escape. One of Boag’s victims was the only son of gang boss Jonjo Mulhearn. Jonjo has just completed his last few weeks of a long prison sentence. He had already arranged that Boag would not survive in custody and, now Boag has escaped, Jonjo is determined to track down his son’s murderer and dispense his own brand of justice. The question Rosie has to consider is how far she is willing to work with a gangster in order to save society from a sadistic killer, especially as this will help to ensure her own safety.

At the same time, there are other investigations to engage Rosie’s attention. A chance encounter with Tadi, an ill-treated Kosovan refugee, gives her an appalling insight into modern day slavery. Also Rosie works to uncover the truth behind the murders of two young students on a camping holiday and the mystery of the other bodies discovered at their burial site, near to where Tadi is being kept captive. There is also the case of the violent burglary at the home of an old and frail Jewish couple. Despite her fear of Boag, which keeps Rosie forever looking over her shoulder, she is determined to continue doing her job and investigate these other stories, whatever the risk.

Death Trap is a thought-provoking book, which deals with serious social issues. It is not an easy read but it is an engrossing one. It is fast-paced and intricately plotted, and very well researched, and Rosie is a strong and engaging protagonist. It is a powerful, fascinating book, which I would recommend.
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Reviewer: Carol Westron

Anna Smith. After a lifetime as a tabloid journalist, wading through other people's misery on the frontline all over the world, she decided to put her experiences to good use. And so, the series of Rosie Gilmour novels were born, featuring a Glasgow journalist trying to tear down the world of corruption and injustice.  Her debut novel was The Dead Won't Sleep, the story of police corruption, prostitution and a child sex ring in a children's home. This was followed by To Tell the Truth, about a toddler stolen from a beach while on holiday with her parents in Spain.  Anna has now written six books in Rosie Gilmour series.  The latest is Rough Cut published January 2016l.




Carol Westron is a successful short story writer and a Creative Writing teacher.  She is the moderator for the cosy/historical crime panel, The Deadly Dames.  Her crime novels are set both in contemporary and Victorian times.  The Terminal Velocity of Cats is the first in her Scene of Crimes novels, was published July 2013. Her latest book The Fragility of Poppies was published 10 June 2016.

Read a review of Carol’s latest book
The Fragility of Poppies

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