Book Description:
For DCI Bennett and his team, the New Year brings a series of challenges.
Concurrent investigations are underway: DI David Owen is leading a case involving the discovery of human remains, excavated during road works on the A59 at Kex Gill. Evidence suggests that this could, in fact, be the work of the Yorkshire Ripper. DI April Richmond’s case involves a spate of local robberies in the area. Robbery turns to murder as three bodies are discovered in quick succession.
As Owen works alongside a Forensic Anthropologist, April’s team discovers that the latest victims are linked by their charitable work. The perpetrator places a postage stamp on each forehead and leaves a printed, cryptic message – a bizarre calling card.
A child, given away at birth somehow seems significant. A thorough and painstaking investigation ensues to solve both cases in which forensic evidence is crucial.
The two murder enquiries suddenly appear to converge, despite the years separating them. It is the team’s diligence which will lead to the solving of these baffling cases.
My Thoughts:
We’re back with Bennett, Owen and the team in the fourteenth book in the Harrogate crime series, set of course in Harrogate. A picturesque town which has a dark side, hopefully more in these books than in real life!
The cases that the team find themselves working on gets curiouser and curiouser, especially as the body count rises. Elderly people that have actively been involved in charity work, it sent my head into turmoil as to why would anyone want to kill someone that is doing something to help others as well as the community? It takes a lot of investigating as well as interviews for them to get closer to the truth which results in some shocking discoveries.
I love Bennett and Owen and it is also great to see April making her mark. It was hard at times when they were questioning people of interest to not have some sort of compassion even when they aren’t the most likeable of characters. They had me asking myself so many questions and I kept swapping and changing my mind as to who the killer was of which I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Past Promises had me gripped to the pages as well as going through an array of emotions. It is dark, tense and cleverly plotted of which really gets your mind working. I just adore the Harrogate setting with it being fairly local to me and somewhere I know pretty well which adds to the atmosphere when reading. The author never fails to hook me straight in, with the stories consuming me until I turn the last page. Not only a grippingly good read but a highly addictive series and a must for fans of detective series!
My thanks to the author for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
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