I hope this is the start of a long series.
The main character DI Shona Oliver, known as Wee Shona but never to her face, is brilliantly fierce, tenacious, loyal, and has her own ethical compass to steer by.
So when, as a volunteer Lifeboat crew member, she helps recover a body from the Solway Firth, it’s no surprise that she wants to be involved in the investigation of how the young woman ended up in the sea on the border of England and Scotland.
Because the body is landed in England it shouldn’t have anything to do with her team, CID in Dumfriesshire, but they soon get involved in a cross border investigation.
Her boss has promotion ambitions, his wife has political ambitions, and he is leading a high profile, Scotland wide, drugs bust. The last thing he needs is Wee Shona and her small team mucking it, and his potential promotion, up. But is there more to it than just his professional integrity.
Another body.
Shona doing her best dog-with-a-bone act.
The boss getting fractious.
Something has to give
This is a great story to start what promises to be a great series. Shona is a strong character, and she needs to be. Her previous life as a DI in The City of London Police, gives her far more experience than most.
Her childhood in the roughest part of Glasgow, with a drug addict mother, gives her a hard edge.
Her family adjusting to moving from London to the Scottish Borders, and bringing their own secrets with them.
Her small but efficient team, with their own personalities and egos, needs managing.
All of which, along with a seriously impressive crime plot, make this a fantastic book.
Publisher: Canelo Crime. Pages: 274. Publishing Date: June 24 2021
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