4 November 2021,
ISBN: 978-1-80405001-9 (PB).
Originally published as A Reason to Kill
After six months off due to stress caused by his last case, Detective Sebastian McGregor has just arrived at quiet Frantham-on-Sea in Dorset. He is soon sent out to investigate a spate of burglaries in the area and his enquiries lead him to Rina Martin whose frail old neighbour was a recent victim. Rina is a retired actress who runs a very successful guest house. Mac, as Sebastian is known, recognises her as the person who played the part of a popular sleuth in a television series.
When the peace and quiet of the small seaside town is shattered by the brutal murder of a fragile old lady living near her, Rina takes on the mantle of her screen persona and is determined to help solve the case.
Meanwhile, we learn of two young lads acting strangely. Mac suspects them of being involved in the recent burglaries but feels someone more vicious may be putting them up to it. They couldn’t have anything to do with the murder surely.
One of the young lads, George, and his family are fairly new to the area having moved there four years ago to escape the really abusive behaviour of his father.
One day George is sure he sees him watching his school, but how did his father find out where they lived? When Rina hears of this, it’s another puzzle she is determined to solve, especially when George later goes missing.
Then there is another murder, and what are the bright lights Mac notices at sea and near the shore?
Mac now really has his work cut out, can the two murders be linked, suspicions lead him to believe there could be two different murderers. He is amazed at so much crime in such a “quiet town” and is glad of Rina’s help and knowledge of the local area.
To add to his problems a man then “falls” off a cliff. Not a third murder surely?
I really do enjoy Jane Adams’ books and look
forward to hearing more about Mac together with Rina’s exploits. She certainly
comes over as a really determined character. I am familiar with the area around
Marlborough Head where the action takes place and the pages brought it to life.
Highly recommended for readers of stories with unexpected twists. The ending especially surprises!
------
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment