The In Crowd

I absolutely love Charlotte Vassell's writing style, it completely meshes with what I want in a book, quirky, entertaining, a bit gossipy (quite a bit gossipy if I'm being honest) and some characters that you really root for.

This is the second Caius Beauchamp story - and he's in as excellent form as ever. He is the most modern of modern police officers, taking care of himself, his team and the people around him in a way that's almost superhuman.

Beauchamp has been stood up on a Tinder date at the theatre. Luckily he finds the stunning and confident Callie sitting next to him on the other side and they hit it off, even when they find a dead body in the audience. Luckily Callie has the presence of mind to give her business card to one of Caius's colleagues when Caius is called away to deal with the body.

At the same time, his professional life takes an upwardly mobile turn as he is requested to meet a high-flying MP to talk about a number of secretive matters. Caius finds himself moving in fancy circles, going to private members' clubs and being given details about the high and mighty. He's not quite sure what his role is, but is interested enough to find out more, particularly when some of the details start to spread into other investigations that he's aware of.

Caius is also trying to spend more time with Callie, but doesn't want his professional life to interfere with their burgeoning relationship so is quite circumspect about what he tells her.

There are so many threads to the tale, all expertly woven together by Charlotte Vassell. Its utterly gripping, a true page-turner and I can't wait to rave about it when I see it out in print

For the second time Vassell has successfully delivered! Once again we are gifted exclusive access to observing the machinations of the upper classes. The quirky police team led by the glorious Detective Caius Beauchamp juggle a couple of cases that start to feel a tad personal. They have mysteries to solve and healthy snacks and fancy teas to consume.
Some of the crossover coincidences defy belief however they are integral to the plot.
It’s not essential to have read The Other Half before this, but you’d get more from it if you do. You’ll also have two brilliant reads instead of just one :)

I absolutely loved this book. In a crowded police procedural market, Charlotte Vassell has written a genuinely fresh and interesting book, with sparkling characters and a very welcome sprinkle of humour. More please

This is the very best book I have read this year.

Firstly the author writes people you know. Not necessarily the rich but everyone knows Caius or Matt or even Amy. The way their friendship is written means that this book is beautiful, Vassell could have written those characters and then written her grocery list and I would have been thrilled. Character study at it's very best.

The mystery element of this book is as exquisite as the first book, salacious, clever, punchy and believable.

You do not need to have read the Other Half to read this book, but if you haven't, why on earth not?

I would love to read more and I hope that is in the works already.

Give this as a gift that the recipient won't forget.

I was sent this ARC by netgalley in return for an honest review, which this is.