Little Bird
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The Synopsis:
Some secrets are best kept quiet.
Declan Wells, a forensic psychologist, has a lot on his plate. He has been struggling with the aftermath of a car bomb, which has left him in a wheelchair, his wife has been dutiful but Declan is certain she is having an affair, and his eldest daughter Lara’s new property developer husband, has dubious business practices.
Meanwhile, Anna Cole is running away from her mother’s death and a stale relationship. On secondment to the Police Service of Northern Ireland from Wales, Anna hopes that she can throw herself into work to distract herself from her guilt.
Then the murders begin and the killer leaves behind some very strange messages.
Can Anna and Declan work together to catch this deranged murderer?
Will either of them be able to get over their turbulent pasts?
My Thoughts:
I understand that this is Sharon Dempseys first foray into her published writing as an author of crime fiction. However, saying this, i would never have guessed had i just been given the book to read with no prior info.
The story is told from the perspective of two very different people. Firstly, Anna Cole. A welsh police officer on secondment in Belfast, she's gone there for some respite after suffering personal tragedy at home in Cardiff. Anna is adopted and her roots are Irish. She's hoping that by going back to her place of birth she will feel connected in some way. Taking this placement though also gives her the chance to chase down her birth mother and any remaining family in order to find out how she ended up in Wales all those years ago.
With no time to find her feet, Anna is plunged straight into the case of a murdered schoolgirl. Killed at her sisters wedding the police are at a loss as to how this could have happened with no witnesses. During the investigation a strange and gruesome calling card comes to light and it doesn't bode well for anyone.
Secondly, the killer. An extremely intense and crazed mind, whilst being patient, thorough and methodical at the same time, as his story is told we are privvy to (in my opinion) one of the most unusual methods and ultimately, desires that i have come across in, well, forever. Taxidermy. i know, to some this may raise an eyebrow and wonder what the fuss is. But to me, it's not a subject i am either comfortable or familiar with. Which is why it was perfect for giving me the heebie-jeebies and making me shudder whilst reading this book! To be honest, a feeling i eagerly anticipate when reading crime/horror fiction but which rarely comes.
We are introduced to a good range of characters, with strong personalities full of individuality. It's an excellent book that has laid the groundwork for (hopefully) future novels revolving around Anna, and the rest of those in the Belfast station.
This isn't just a one trick pony in regards to the storyline. The author has a number of threads running simultaneously throughout the novel, which she intertwines beautifully. Sharon gives us the gritty and often untouched (in fiction i mean) side of the Irish police force. She delves into its past, concerning the IRA and the deep divisions this country has suffered and makes it relevant for today. Explaining how it is still affected and it's long lasting repercussions.
And the author ends up giving us this, the finished product which has a feel about it of an author way beyond Sharons tender years here. It's safe to say i thoroughly enjoyed it. In finishing, its also safe to say, that i have no problem in recommending it to others. It really is a corker of a book that the reader will find very hard to put down, and even harder to forget once it's finished.
Thank you to bloodhound books for this ARC. I must stress though that all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
Author Bio Sharon Dempsey
Crime writer, Little Bird released July 17 with Bloodhound Books.
Sharon Dempsey is a Belfast based writer of fiction and non-fiction books, with four health books published. She facilitates therapeutic creative writing classes for people affected by cancer and other health challenges and runs a creative writing group for young people, called Young Scribblers, at the Crescent Arts Centre.
Sharon studied Politics and English at Queen’s University and went on to City University, London to do a postgraduate diploma in journalism. She has written for a variety of publications and newspapers, including the Irish Times.
Through the Arts Council NI’s Support for the Individual Artist Programme (SIAP), Sharon was awarded funding, which she used to acquire mentoring from, bestselling Irish crime writer, Louise Phillips. Louise was a great support while Sharon was writing Little Bird, her first crime novel.
