Death and the Good Son
Here;s what the blurb had to say:
Life is good for DI Dan Hellier. He has made several successful drugs’ busts and even the Assistant Chief Constable is smiling. But the discovery of two headless, handless corpses buried in the bog on Dartmoor will test his team to their limits. How are they expected to identify the bodies when nobody has reported them missing?
The pressure mounts when the death of a teenager from an overdose of Mephedrone plunges Dan into the murky world of the Garrett family. Could the peaceful, family-run Animal Rescue Centre really be a cover for murder and drug-dealing?
Just how far will people go to get what they want?
And what links death to the good son?
This investigation will challenge Dan’s decisions and beliefs as he races to catch a criminal before another child dies.
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Here are my thoughts:
Death and the good son is the second in the series featuring D.I. Hellier. Now, i confess, i haven't read the first one Death and deception, however, this one was fine to read as a standalone.There were discreet references to the previous novel, but this was only used to enhance and explain the situations and feelings in the book. Added more credence to the novel as a whole.
It starts off with Bog bodies. Two bodies found headless and handless in the bogs of Dartmoor. The remains near on skeletal. Looking like they may have been there for a period of time rather than fresh, Dr Neil Pargeter is called upon to to arrange excavation and examination of them due to his expertise in forensics.
Elsewhere, someone is selling a bad batch of m-cat, up until recently, a drug classed as a legal high.At one party there are 5 kids affected, some hospitalised and one dead. Forcing this into a murder investigation.
Now, throw in an animal rescue centre, the retreat. A sanctuary run by the family Garret, Mum and 2 sons, Moss and Merlin.
Could all of these be related? and if so, how?
Right from the start the author puts you in the thick of it. You know when it opens immediately with the discovery of bodies, you are not in for an easy ride. It starts fast paced and intense. I'm very pleased to say that the whole book continues in that same vein.
The characters are well thought out and have a great depth that allows the reader to fully engage with them and their emotions.
D.I. Hellier has clearly now shown his team who he is and what he can do and take on. In return it is clear that they like him and respect him. He needs to pull on all of his reserves when dealing with these cases. The families of the dead boy and his friend are out for revenge.It will take all his powers of communication and diplomacy to keep them under control whilst still working the case.
D.C. Foster is a young man, desperate to prove himself to the team. With this in mind, and his eagerness, he does have a tendency to jump in feet first in some situations. He himself needs to learn control, otherwise he runs the risk of jeopardising the investigations and the lives of himself and his team.
Each character brings something to this book, from Dan to Hellier to Adam Foster, to Sam, Lizzie and Sally. I found they all complemented each other beautifully, and all served a purpose.
I did find it difficult for the first chapter or two, i had to re-read a couple of times to make sure i had all the names and where they fitted in. (Obviously, had i read Death and deception first, i feel this wouldn't have been an issue anyway) Once i got over that i found the story drew me in and i couldn't put it down.There was no good place to stop and take a break, as the pace was brilliant and made you feel like you'd miss something if you left it. It was always "just this bit and then i'll stop" (Never happened!)
Not your basic crime/mystery novel i was pleasantly surprised at some of the impromptu twists and turns that were thrown up whilst reading it.
I'd highly recommend this book. I'm looking forward to the next. But in the meantime. i have the pleasure of going back to the start and reading Death and Deception.
Although received as an ARC from Bloodhound books, all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
