Earlier this week I had one of those little red post cards from the Post Office telling me I’d missed a delivery.
I didn’t know what it was I’d missed so I went to the sorting office the following morning to collect it.
Little did I know that once I’d opened the envelope, and discovered the book inside, that I would be reading for nearly 20 hours, putting it down only to sleep. Mari Hannah’s writing is of the highest quality. Her scene and character descriptions are brilliant. Her story telling is excellent, and I always look forward to her books. But this one goes to another level, there are passages in this book that left me breathless.
I love The DCI Kate Daneils series and this, Gallows Drop, the sixth in the series, is the best yet.
From the very first page the story grabs hold, and from there on its journey through the investigation of a vicious murder and also the private life of Kate.
The story starts with Kate about to go on leave. Unfortunately, a body is found hanging in a remote part of Northumberland and Kates team are designated the investigation. Whilst at the scene Kate starts the process of the investigation knowing she will not be the SIO for the case.
However, when she finds out an ex-colleague of hers, a brutal bully of a man DCI James Atkins, is to take charge of the investigation she has her doubts.
The two clash immediately. Differing investigation, and management, styles lead to heated scenes as the team start to identify the killer.
The murder victim is soon identified and it is apparent that Kate had seen him the previous day, but does Atkins also know the victim. It’s a small town in a remote area and Atkins has lived around there.
Whilst the investigation continues Atkins makes his presence known and starts to rile the team. The friction between him and Kate starts to affect everyone around them.
The crime is not the only thing Kate has to worry about. As usual work has taken precedence over her private life, and her on-again-off-again relationship with Jo Soulsby is in trouble, and then there’s her father…..
With Kates mind being pulled in all directions will it affect the way she deals with the case in the days before she goes on leave.
To complicate matters Kate finds out that Atkins’ daughter, Beth, may be involved in the crime.
It is inevitable that the Kate and Atkins are going to fall out but when it happens it happens in style.
Kate is left rattled by her encounters with Atkins but vows to carry on.
This book is like an uneven fight where more than one person attacks another.
Kate Daneils takes one psychological blow after another from, Atkins, the crime, her relationship with Jo, the emergence of an old flame, her father and so much more.
Will the crime be solved, will Kate survive in one piece, physically or mentally, you need to read Gallows Drop to find out.
You won’t be disappointed.
I have been reading for a long time, and every now and again a very special writer finds their way into my reading list.
Everybody, who has ever read seriously, knows the feeling when you finish off the latest book by your favourite author and then have to wait for the next to be published.
The anticipation of the next story, especially if it’s the latest in a series. I’ve only ever had that feeling two or three times and have sat outside book shops on publication day waiting for them to open their doors.
Well there should be queues around the block on the 17th November when Gallows Drop gets published.
nigeladamsbookworm 