From the very first book I have been invested in Kay's story and keen to see what would befall our protagonist and never once in the previous four books has Rachel Amphlett disappointed. We have been given tension, some great characters we can both love and loathe, various pets to be found lying (or slithering) around Kay's kitchen and a back story involving Kay's past and a blot on her career that provided an arc across all four books. Now I won't go into that here, but as anyone who read the l From the very first book I have been invested in Kay's story and keen to see what would befall our protagonist and never once in the previous four books has Rachel Amphlett disappointed. We have been given tension, some great characters we can both love and loathe, various pets to be found lying (or slithering) around Kay's kitchen and a back story involving Kay's past and a blot on her career that provided an arc across all four books. Now I won't go into that here, but as anyone who read the last book will know, that story has been brought to an end but Rachel still left us on a bit of a cliffhanger with Kay thrown into a temporary promotion and her boss, DI Devon Sharp, being placed on leave while a Professional Standards investigation takes place. Now it is this story which is carried into the book, with Kay and her team determined to prove Sharp's innocence and get him back to work.Now the pacing of this book feels slower perhaps than its predecessors, mainly because the team are working on a cold case, the death of a motorcyclist in a potential hit and run some ten years previously. At least this is what Sharp suspected, but noone would listen to him. Kay and the gang need to get to the bottom of this case and fast. They are under pressure, not just to clear Sharp, but also from DCI Larch, for once for all the right reasons. Kay and Larch haven't always see eye to eye, but I really felt for the old guy in this book, for reasons that will be apparent when you read.Don't be fooled into thinking the shocks and thrills won't be there because it is a cold case, and something which hardly sits at the lossy serial killer end of the spectrum. Rachel Amphlett still manages to keep readers on tenterhooks, introducing any number of suspects and potential reasons for the man's death, some of which, including the conclusion, will completely surprise you.What I love about this series it the way in which it seamlessly blends the police investigation with the very human aspects of Kay's life. We are treated to a glimpse of her relationship with her husband Adam, one which gives us moments of both humour and sadness, and I must admit to more than a moment of pouty bottom lip over their latest guest. Sad times. Kay is also a brilliant character, so perfectly pitched as to be completely in tune with her team and able to relate to those around her, and yet strong and even headstrong enough to drive on until a problem is solved, no matter the personal price.I was intrigued to see where this series would go given that Kay has been thrust into a promotion she wasn't entirely prepared for and, allowing for the fact the previous arc has been resolved, it was hard to know where the intensity or the mystery would come from. I was intrigued, yes, but I was never worried as I know I can trust the author to keep me entertained, engaged and enthralled time and time again. Was it break neck action or always edge of the seat tension? No, and if you are looking for that you may be disappointed as the stakes aren't always quite as high as they have been in the past, But it is a bloody good book and a fabulous addition to the series.And so, a bit like Kay Hunter before the cast came off her arm, I'm itching to see book six and where Rachel Amphlett takes us next. I'm sure it's going to be a doozy.
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