‘A Dance of Cranes’ by Steve Burrows

‘A Dance of Cranes’ by Steve Burrows

Published by Point Blank, 12 September 2019.
 ISBN: 978-1-78607-577-2 (PBO)

Canadian born Chief Inspector Domenic Jejeune now lives in Norfolk, England. He has recently split up with his girlfriend Lindy. An attempt was made on her life, and he believes it to be an ex-con Ray Hayes trying to take revenge on Jejeune through Lindy as he was responsible for putting Hayes away. He believes that by splitting up and moving back to Canada at least for a while, he will keep Lindy safe.

At the same time, as insurance he has a sergeant Danny Maik keep an eye on her. In Canada while bird watching by Lake Toronto with his brother-in-law Roy, he learns that his brother Damian and his guide Annie Prior have lost contact while trekking in remote woods in the North West Territories.

Domenic flies up to see the park superintendent about organising a search but is told that as they are not overdue no attempt will be made yet to find them. As Domenic knew his brother's last co-ordinates, he decides to look for him himself, not realising what grave danger he is putting them in.

Meanwhile back in Saltmarsh, Norfolk, newly promoted sergeant Lauren Salter is put in charge of solving the murder of a Wattis Wright an elderly man living on his own. It’s very difficult to find a motive, nothing seems to have been stolen or disturbed in any way. A cheque for a large amount of money is found in his lounge. Salter discovers it is from the sale of rights to choreography it is thought he had created years ago for a group now making a comeback. Could there be a connection somehow?

According to a neighbour, an Albert Ross was heard having a big row with Wattis, could he be capable of murder? Salter wishes she had Jejeune there to advise her as he always used to.

Meanwhile Maik is called off keeping Lindy under surveillance and she disappears. A message comes through to him demanding he tells Jejeune to come to where Lindy is being held or she will be killed.

Back in Canada Domenic, Damian and Annie are now overdue and a search begins, but can they be found in time for Domenic to be informed of Lindy's capture and to fly home and save her? Time is of the essence.

A thoroughly absorbing book. The action switches effortlessly between Norfolk and Canada keeping the reader guessing until the very end.

Trekking in remote woods never did appeal to me, I am now convinced I am right!  I highly recommend this tale and its every bit as good as the last one of the “birder murders” I read.

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Reviewer:  Tricia Chappell

Steve Burrows has pursued his birdwatching hobby on five continents. He is a former editor of the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society Magazine and a contributing field editor for Asian Geographic. He was winner of BBC Wildlife magazine’s ‘Nature Writer of the Year’. Author of the Birder Murder series set in Britain’s prime birding county of Norfolk and featuring Canadian DCI Dominic Jejeune. Steve now lives with his wife in Oshawa, Ontario.

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.