Not as outlandish as the first book from this author but still somewhat unrealistic. Definitely not an in-depth police procedural, more of a crime caper.

Detective Harriet Taylor left her policing job in Edinburgh for a mush less stressful position in a small Cornish village. Not much happens there, and it’s an ugly surprise when two cats are found brutally mutilated. Nasty, but still, not really police type work is it? Then one of the cat’s owners is found dead, in what is clearly not a natural death. Words have been written on her neck, and it’s not long before another victim is found with the same cryptic message. It’s clear a serial killer is on the loose in this little town and Harriet is left wondering whether a creative writing club in town, that has been working on writing the perfect murder, may be involved. Giles’ characters and police work are spot on and the location adds an extra dimension to this fast paced thriller