‘Murder on the Beach’ by Jane Adams

Published by Joffe Books,
13 December 2021.
ISBN: 978-1-80405069-9 (PB)
Originally published as
Resolutions.

Detective Inspector McGregor, known as Mac, is living in Frantham on Sea Dorset, having moved there a year ago to make a new life. He had witnessed the death of a young girl by a paedophile, Thomas Peel, and was unable to stop him. He has lived with the guilt ever since, it almost destroyed him. Peel has not been seen since and it is thought he had died.

Then Mac’s new found ‘peace’ is shattered when Peel is spotted in his old hunting ground, Pinsent, up on the north west coast.

Mac’s friend in the force from that time, Alec, visits him to say he has been told to offer Mac the chance to join the team and help find and arrest Peel. Probably against his better judgment Mac accepts and travels up to Pinsent, reluctantly leaving behind his new life and friends.

Meanwhile, back in Frantham, one of his good friends Rina Martin, retired actress and television sleuth, having taken up crime solving for real, is concerned at the return of Karen a young woman in her twenties. She has come to take her young brother George to come and live with her as she has acquired a house for them but he refuses to go. She had left the area a while ago rather under a cloud and bears a grudge against Mac for something she feels he could have done at the time to help save George from their father. Rina is concerned for George but also worried that Karen is determined to take her revenge out on Mac. She really seems to have changed, but Rina feels she could still be dangerous, especially later when she is seen in Pinsent.

Events lead everyone to believe Karen may actually know Peel. There is real concern for Mac, as when the paedophile killed Cara, the young girl, he enjoyed the look on Mac’s face and has now threatened to “grind him into the dust”.

Then Mac’s partner Miriam, is kidnapped back in Frantham. How is he going to not only survive, but bring all to justice and rescue Miriam? In spite of Rina and her friends’ help, Mac really struggles and ends up in trouble with the law himself.

Another intricately woven story from Jane Adams, I can’t wait to read the next one. Thoroughly recommended.
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Reviewer: Tricia Chappell

Jane Adams was born in Leicestershire, where she still lives. She has a degree in Sociology and has held a variety of jobs including lead vocalist in a folk rock band. She enjoys pen and ink drawing; martial arts and her ambition is to travel the length of the Silk Road by motorbike. Her first book, The Greenway, was shortlisted for the CWA John Creasey Award in 1995 and for the Author's Club Best First Novel Award. Jane writes several series.  Her first series featured Mike Croft. Several books featuring DS Ray Flowers. Seven titles featuring blind Naoimi Blake, and six titles featuring Rina Martin. Her most ret series is set between the two World Wars and featuring Detective Inspector Henry Johnstone and his sergeant, Micky Hitchens. Jane has also written several standalone novels. She is married with two children.

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.