This author creates well-drawn, complex characters, and knows how to build tension and drama that hold readers to the end. With several plot twists it managed to keep me guessing until the end. Even then I was surprised. I’m not easily surprised.

What an enjoyable read this book was. When a young man goes missing, DCI Sandy Mc Farlane is called to investigate. George is the grandson of a Viscount and has fled to Canada along with two of his friends. A young police officer is shot and killed. is there a connection between both events? I liked the settings of Norfolk, Derbyshire and Canada and the descriptive passages. The plot was interesting and there was enough tension to keep me interested until the end. This is more of a cosy mystery than a thriller but it's a very good read from an author who knows his police procedures. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

DCI Sandy McFarlane is the main character in this new Police Procedural from a new author who, if anyone, should know plenty about Police Procedures. It was a nice surprise to find out that Russell Wate is not only a very good detective but he also knows how to write an exciting page turner of a book! Of course the policing aspects are detailed and no doubt accurate and the plot is intricate and well structured. The characters are interesting and well developed except I did find Sandy McFarlane too much of a “ nice guy” and a bit too perfect at times. Perhaps we could see a bit more of an “edge” for him in the next book? I hope there will be another one since Russel Wate has a great talent for writing fiction that is engaging and which runs along at a good pace.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for providing advanced access tp this book.

Interesting, and engaging, novel about a DCI whose role involves investigating crimes both at home and abroad. A well-connected teenager has gone missing, at the same time as a police officer has been shot. DCI McFarlane is involved in one case, but has to involve himself in both when circumstances dictate.

The characters are well-rounded, the plot is believable, and page-turning, so I would recommend this to anyone wanting a good read.

With thanks to NetGalley and Cranthorne Millner Publishers for an ARC.

I’m sorry but I couldn’t finish this book. I live near Potage la Prairie and found discrepancies too much. I do realize this is fiction and authors can change a setting compared to how it really is. I’m okay with that and am a fan of a couple authors that do this well. Very early on in this book, page 16, they make reference to knowing nothing about Manitoba except it’s state capital is Winnipeg. We pride ourself on being different from our neighbours to the south, and as such, we have provinces not states. If you looked up confirmation of Winnipeg as the capital, I’m sure it clearly would say it’s a provincial capital. Kind of sad that someone working for the foreign office wouldn’t know basic information about a Commonwealth country.