2 February 2023.
ISBN: 978-1-52941-571-1 (HB)
Two horrific events occurred within hours of each other in Oxford. The first was the abduction of bubbly four-years old Poppy Clarke from outside her nursery school: the second was the death of an out-of-work, ex-prisoner, Michael/Mick Dick, killed by a hit and run driver on a quiet, country road not far from Poppy’s school. The events did not seem to be connected.
DI Ray Wilkins, a well-heeled Nigerian Oxford graduate and boxing blue, leads the investigation into Poppy’s disappearance. He is under a lot of pressure both at home and at work. His wife is expecting twins and wants Ray to be with her. His boss, Superintendent Wallace, wants results. Poppy’s parents are separated, but other than the father who has threatened to take Poppy, there are no obvious suspects. A philanthropic businessman, Thomas Fothergill, who has links to Poppy’s school, is investigated. He helps ex-prisoners including Mick. His son Jack is afraid of him.
Ryan Wilkins - formerly DI Wilkins and DI Ray Wilkins partner - has anger management problems. Dismissed from the police after upsetting a bishop and the provost of an Oxford college, Ryan is now working as a night-watch security guard. On the evening of Poppy’s disappearance a terrified Mick Dick appears in the van rental yard where Ryan works. After checking Mick’s pockets for stolen goods Ryan lets him go. Wondering what Mick had been afraid of just before he died, Ryan visits Mick’s wife and friends and searches for the phone he thinks Mick lost on the night he was killed. Generously, given Ray’s failure to support him in the past, Ryan directs Ray towards promising leads. When the shocking truth is uncovered, Ray is covered in glory. Ryan is completely overlooked.
Thankfully, although Supt. Wallace recognises Ryan’s shortcomings – amongst other things he is insubordinate, untidy and unpredictable – he appreciates that Ryan sees things that others miss, and that his unorthodox approach solves problems by following leads others would dismiss as unimportant. Under orders to increase the diversity of his officers, the Superintendent reinstates Ryan in time for him to start functioning as a DI again in the third book about the two Wilkins.
In The Broken Afternoon Simon Mason skillfully
manipulates the two Wilkins and the environs of Oxford into a well-written, and
absorbing tale. For me, the joy of the book lies in its characters. I think
this is partly due to the juxtaposition of the contrasting circumstances and
personalities of the two Wilkins, but mostly it is due to the masterful
portrayal of the disadvantaged, irreverent, witty, Ryan Wilkins who seems to be
blessed with a natural sense of justice. He is also a caring, single parent for
his delightful and very polite young son - another Ryan - with whom he has a
wonderful relationship. The Broken
Afternoon can easily be read as a one off.
However, if you want to be in at the beginning of Ryan and Ray’s
partnership, I have no hesitation in suggesting that you would both enjoy and
benefit from reading their first encounter in A Killing in November
before you read The Broken Afternoon.
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Reviewer: Angela Crowther
Simon Mason is an author of children's and adult books. His first adult novel, a black comedy entitled The Great English Nude, won the Betty Trask first novel award and Moon Pie was shortlisted for the Guardian Children's Fiction prize. Running Girl is his first story starring Garvie Smith. Simon lives in Oxford with his wife and their two children.
Angela Crowther is a
retired scientist. She has published many scientific papers but, as yet,
no crime fiction. In her spare time Angela belongs to a Handbell Ringing
group, goes country dancing and enjoys listening to music, particularly the
operas of Verdi and Wagner. 
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