From Publishers Weekly
In this middling police procedural from British author Green (Deadly Errand; Deadly Practice; etc.), the first of a new series featuring Det. Inspector Rydell and Sergeant Denni Caldecote, an especially nasty man does especially nasty things to young women for the most extraordinary reasons in a rural English town. The first victim, who's been missing for months, is finally found strung up in a ritualistic manner in a burning barn. The second is still missing and is presumed to be alive. In addition, for practice, the villain rapes young women in the park. Clues are scarce, suspects few. Rydell and Caldecote doggedly do the best they can, aided by Sergeant Ramesh Patel, who rises above Asian stereotype and is the most engaging character in the book. Rydell, however, is a run-of-the-mill creation, tough and tight-lipped. Caldecote, too, is a familiar type, warm and intelligent. A host of minor characters and catalogue-like descriptions slow the investigation, while the italicized monologues of the killer add little to the minimal suspense. Most effective here is Green's handling of the human consequences of the crimes. Her victims are tragic; their loved ones suffer for their loss. The author portrays rape and its emotional impact on the victim with exceptional sensitivity. Overall, though, a predictable plot and a plodding pace make for a routine mystery.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Green, author of the Kate Kinsella novels, debuts a new series starring Detective Inspector Thomas Rydell and Sergeant Denise "Denni" Cladecote. Rydell has moved from London to the peaceful village of Marston, hoping to recover from his divorce, but he finds little tranquility in his new job. When a woman's dead body is found hanging in a barn with a fire set at her feet, everyone assumes the victim is Sara Bolten, whose husband recently reported her missing. When it turns out to be a prostitute named Maria, Rydell and Denni must find out all they can about both women. Meanwhile, the killer taunts them by taking a hostage. Readers will warm quickly to compulsive Rydell and lonely Denni. Green's ability to build character and generate suspense is first-rate, but she makes a mistake by employing what has become a genre cliche--short chapters written from the psycho killer's point of view, italicized for added drama. That aside, this looks like another in a long line of successful British procedurals starring mismatched but oddly complementary cops.
Jenny McLarinCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
