22 July 2021.
ISBN: 978-0-74902786-5 (HB)
The question
‘So, you want to know why I killed Ramona
Smith?
is the opening line and it is addressed to DCI Hannah Scarlett. But who
is asking the question?
Scarlett is just back from a conference in London where she had presented a paper on the challenge of leading cold case reviews. She is still surprised to find herself now described as an expert in solving unsolved crimes.
When
Kit Gleadall, the new Police and Crime Commissioner, asks Hannah to look
into the twenty-one- year-old case of the disappearance of Ramona Smith from
Bowness, it takes her a while to bring the case to mind. Recollection brings
back memories of the investigating officer Ben Kind who had a prime suspect who
he was convinced was guilty. Although Smith's body was never found
the prime suspect was charged and tried for the murder. He was found not guilty,
but eventually committed suicide. Following
another death, the case has resurfaced.
Kingsley Melton is the manager of Strandbeck Manor, a period
house that has been turned into luxury apartments. Taking his ease on the shoreline, named The
Crooked Shore, Kingsley is shocked to see jogging past him Logan Prentice who Kingsley suspects of evil deeds.
As Hannah begins re-interviewing the people who were investigated in the original case, those that are still alive, that is - she ponders on Ben Kind - a very shrewd cop, who she had liked very much but who had sadly subsequently been killed in a hit and run. These pondering naturally take her to his son Daniel Kind, ex TV historian who Hannah had been dating. But she had not seen him for six weeks as he had been travelling abroad promoting his new book. Whilst it had been wonderful to see him again things seemed different. Maybe, he had someone else.
Narrated in the third person by Kingsley Melton and Hannah
Scarlett, there are many strands to this story, which are skilfully drawn together.
Like many good stories the clues lie in the past. The Crooked Shore is one of the best
books I have read in along time. Just
when you think you know it all, there is a sudden jaw-dropping twist that I most
certainly didn’t see coming. Most highly recommended as a book not to be
missed.
------
Reviewer; Lizzie Sirett
Martin Edwards was
born 7 July 1955 at Knutsford, Cheshire and educated in Northwich and at
Balliol College, Oxford University, taking a first-class honours degree in law.
He trained as a solicitor in Leeds and moved to Liverpool
on qualifying in 1980. He published his first legal article at the age of 25
and his first book, about legal aspects of buying a business computer at 27,
before spending just over 30 years as a partner of a law firm, where he is now
a consultant. He is married to Helena
with two children (Jonathan and Catherine) and lives in Lymm. He is a member of
the Murder Squad a collective of crime writers. In 2007 he was appointed the Archivist of the
Crime Writers Association and in 2011 he was appointed the Archivist of the
Detection Club. He is a former chair of the Crime Writers’ Association and
since 2015, he has been President of the Detection Club. For more information
visit:
www.martinedwards.com.
www.doyouwriteunderyourownname.blogspot.com
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