25 May 2001.
ISBN: 978-0-333-90492-3 (HB)
Investigating
a series of burglaries on the elderly, of the town of Leek, DI Joanna Piercy
and DS Mike Korpanski are alarmed when the burglaries take a different turn,
and two of the elderly victims are attacked. When the next victim Nan Lawrence
is found dead, Joanna becomes suspicious that there may be more than one gang involved
but is that possible in the small town of Leek?
Sixth in the Inspector Joanna Piercy series, this is more than a police
investigation. Skilfully woven into the story are the relationships between
families. As Joanna probes, she meets with blank resistance from the women
attacked, and in the immediate family of the murdered victim, she is confronted
with hatred that appears to have its roots in the past.
Whilst attempting to gain some understanding of the emotions festering
under the surface of the victims, both she and Mike Korpanski are struggling
with their own family problems. Joanna is now living with Matthew Levin, in an
idyllic cottage, but their idyll is shattered when Eloise, Matthew’s daughter
comes to stay for half term. For Mike Korpanski a visit from his mother-in-law
is proving a considerable strain.
The mystery is complex and only by uncovering the secrets of the past
will the murderer be found.
It is always interesting to see how the characters in a series develop,
and this is certainly true with this series. Both Joanna and Mike have matured,
Joanna in her handling of situations and Mike in his relationship with a female
superior officer. After a shaky start they have become a good working team.
Priscilla is adept at creating intriguing mysteries coupled with
excellent characterisation of the investigating officers. More please.
------
Reviewer: Lizzie
Hayes
Priscilla Masters was born in Halifax, and brought
up in South Wales, one of seven multi-racial children adopted by an orthopaedic
surgeon and his Classics graduate wife. Priscilla trained as a registered nurse
in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. She moved to Staffordshire in the
1970s, had an antiques business for a while and two sons. She started writing
in the 1980s in response to an aunt asking her what she was going to do with her
life! Winding up the Serpent was her
first Joanna Piercy story, published in 1995.
Although that series is still continuing the latest Crooked Street published 2016, she has also written several medical
standalones and a new series featuring coroner Martha Gunn, set in Shrewsbury.
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