‘Indian Summer’ by Sara Sheridan

Published by Constable,
9 May 20919.
ISBN: 978-1-47212-711-2 (PBO)

In this, the 7^th book in this popular series, Mirabelle Bevan is still living and working in Brighton.  She is brooding over the behaviour of her lover, Superintendent Alan McGregor, and finds herself attracted to the police doctor, Chris Williams.  But, even with work and personal matters to ponder on, she still notices the young girl sitting on the beach.

Mirabelle discovers that Lali is recuperating at a local convalescent home for children with respiratory complaints.  As they talk, Father Grogan, a priest attached to the home, comes looking for the girl and takes her back.  The following morning, however, Lali is sitting opposite Mirabelle’s flat.  Mirabelle decides to walk her to the home and there meets a few of the nurses, including Uma, who looks after Lali.  When Father Grogan is murdered shortly after this, Mirabelle is drawn into the puzzle of what is going on at the home.

The more she finds out, the more concerned she becomes and, following a spate of deaths, she realises that the convalescent home holds the key.  The strands of the investigation put her in danger and she spends a frightening few days’ lost in Brighton’s sewers, before the solution becomes apparent, with consequences for other aspects of her life.

This story has a good sense of place and the atmosphere of the time.  Mirabelle and Vesta, her assistant, are strong, independent and interesting characters and the plot is complex without being overworked.  This is another strong novel and one that her fans will enjoy.  It’s always great for find a new series and the newcomer might like to follow Mirabelle’s story from the beginning, though the book itself  works as a stand-alone

----Reviewer: Jo Hesslewood 

Other books in this series:  Brighton Belle, London Calling, England Expects, British Bulldog, Operation Goodwood, Russian Roulette. 

 Sara Sheridan was born in Edinburgh and studied at Trinity College, Dublin. She works in a wide range of media and genres. Tipped in Company and GQ magazines, she has been nominated for a Young Achiever Award. She has also received a Scottish Library Award and was shortlisted for the Saltire Book Prize. She sits on the committee for the Society of Authors in Scotland (where she lives) and on the board of '26' the campaign for the importance of words. She's taken part in 3 '26 Treasures' exhibitions at the V&A, London, The National Museum of Scotland and the Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green. She occasionally blogs on the Guardian site about her writing life and puts her hand up to being a 'twitter evangelist'. From time to time she appears on radio, most recently reporting for BBC Radio 4's From Our Own Correspondent. Sara is a member of the Historical Writers Association and the Crime Writers Association. A self-confessed 'word nerd' her favourite book is 'Water Music' by TC Boyle. 

http://www.sarasheridan.com/ 

Jo Hesslewood.  Crime fiction has been my favourite reading material since as a teenager I first spotted Agatha Christie on the library bookshelves.  For twenty-five years the commute to and from London provided plenty of reading time.  I am fortunate to live in Cambridge, where my local crime fiction book club, Crimecrackers, meets at Heffers Bookshop .  I enjoy attending crime fiction events and currently organise events for the Margery Allingham Society.