Cold Stone Heart by Caz Frear

Witty, well-rounded and complex but realistic.

I much prefer novels with British police than Americans. Maybe this is because it's my country and I know where places are even if I have never visited, but mainly I believe it is because it's at my own pace. No running around with guns, car chases, jumping over desks and always making time for tea.

The story opens with the body of a young woman who is probably a murder victim. The rest of the book focuses on how the police apply the hairs and other forensic bits and pieces to the potential suspects. A forensic psychologist is brought in to explain narcissism and how the minds of such people work. All part of the police procedure in finding answers.

The pace is good as is the plot: there is no simple whodunnit to solve. Instead there is a cast of characters each with vulnerabilities and unlikable qualities and issues, so even a suspected confession may not be what it seems. As for the police, their investigation is illustrated through the eyes of a young female detective constable. Told in the first person, it is not a restricted viewpoint and there are not too many 'I's. She is a down-to-earth and affable copper, gets on with her older partner (her 'work-dad') and has a secret boyfriend whom she likes a lot. 

From the point of view of the police process, the story is complete within this book. However, to find out the issues surrounding the inappropriate romantic relationship and the awkward family bonds surrounding the woman detective, the reading of the first book in the series, Sweet Little Lies, is required. This was a very good read too, but I read it quite a few years ago and can't remember the details so much. 

All in all, a great read, recommended.

Published by Zaffre on 27 June 2019. Advanced review  copy  supplied by the publisher.