A great standalone crime thriller, and I find that I’m saying that with less frequency than I’d like.
Why? Because most writers these days seem to stick with tried and trusted characters within a series.
The good thing about standalone books is you are never sure how they are going to end, which character will survive to the end, who will be left in a position that they can continue life in the way they were when the book started. It doesn’t have to have a happy ending for everybody.
The story in this book is like a locked room mystery with teeth.
The “locked room” is a hostel, rehabilitation centre, for serious offenders who have been released from prison. 6 Ripley Avenue.
When one of the inmate-guests is murdered in the middle of the night there are only so many suspects that can possibly have carried out the crime. Either other “guests” or staff
As the Police start their investigation a local, freelance crime journalist, Sloane starts her own.
Sloane has an advantage over the Police, she can listen to hearsay and gossip, the Police have to establish truth and relevance.
Sloane has a person on the inside, a volunteer cook who fancies herself as a bit of a Miss Marples, but she does tend to jump to the wrong conclusions at times. Does she help or hinder Sloane.
The Hostel is run by Jeanette. She is shocked by the murder but as the blame game starts, she begins to look at her staff differently. As Sloane’s investigation relies on gossip, Jeanette starts to realise some of it might have foundation.
This is a brilliant story. As with all of Noelle Holten’s books there is a depth of realism in her writing that can only be born of experience.
I’ve read mixed reviews of this book, and honestly, I don’t understand some of the criticisms. This is a fast paced thriller. A book that had me hooked from page one until the last full stop.
The characters are brilliantly written and I found myself having empathy with some, frustration with others, and engaging with all of them. Just as it should be.
The story is realistic, set in a tight community, limited suspects, Police frustrated by sticking to the rules, whilst the main characters carry on unrestricted by procedures and red tape.
That is another reason I loved this book. It’s not led by a Police Investigation, with a cop as the main character.
Sloane is a great lead, with a fresh way of looking into things.
Overall, in my opinion, one of the best books I’ve read this year.
Pages: 378. Publisher: One More Chapter Audio Book 10 hours 40 minutes, narrator TBC. Publication date: 27th September 2022
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