The Crow Trap by Ann Cleeves

I like police procedurals and I had rather thought this would be something like DCI Banks by Peter Robinson. It isn’t,  however I found myself very interested in the plot, character development as well as the descriptive writing style.

In the first few pages there is a body discovered, the police are called and then the women get on with their work.

Rachael is the leader of an impact assessment study for an environmental agency, her area of expertise is birds. Anne Preece is the botanist and Grace Fullwell is the mammal expert/zoologist. The impact study is underway as a quarry may be put in and obviously destroy important fauna and flora.  The results of their research may well cancel plans for the quarry business.

The book is divided into segments focusing on each woman’s point of view and their perceptions regarding the others. At times they are completely off the mark, not being privy to the otter women’s background.

It surprised me that Detective Vera Stanhope was introduced so late in the story. It also surprised me that we are looking at the investigation/detective work from the perspective of these three women researchers for the majority of the book.

D.I.  Stanhope shares much more information than you would expect in a murder investigation. There seem to be a lot of sideline amateur investigations from several of the women. As I said, it wasn’t what I expected but I enjoyed the book very much.

The way Vera is introduced seemed brusque. As she was telling about her past, her father the naturalist, she established she had understanding of the conservation research and what they were doing they are doing.

This was one of the books selected for a group read at the Kindle English Mystery Bookclub. Join in on Goodreads if you like British mysteries.

Sharing with Joy for British Isles Friday and the Kindle English Mystery BookClub on Goodreads

The Rumor by Lesley Kara

Single mum Joanna moves back to the small town of Flinstead England to give her son Alfie a fresh start and be near her mother. Jo has given up a well established career and beautiful apartment to get Alfie out of a bully situation at school. It’s a more sedate way of life.

While awaiting her son’s release from school one day she overhears a group of mothers talking about a child killer who may be living under an assumed identity in this little town.

Sally McGowan was a child when she was accused and convicted of murdering a little boy. She served her time and was released years ago but given an new identity. The mothers are convinced Sally is living among them. Salacious rumors start up and soon single females of the appropriate age are suspect.

Joanna is concerned about her son but she also voices that people who serve their time deserve another chance. This isn’t met with resounding acceptance from the others.

This is Lesley Kara’s first novel and it kept me turning pages. Well done plot, buildup of suspense and a variety of suspects that doesn’t make this easy to figure out. There’s a small twist on the last page that truly surprised me.

This was one of the books selected for a group read at the Kindle English Mystery Bookclub. Join in on Goodreads if you like British mysteries.

Sharing with Joy for British Isles Friday and the Kindle English Mystery BookClub on Goodreads