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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
This is the first book in what I believe to be a new series by William Shaw.
Detective Sergeant Alexandra (Alex) Cupidi recently transferred from the Metropolitan Police in London to Kent, along with her teenage daughter in order to start fresh after an affair with a co-worker. She has been assigned to show a new young constable, Jill Ferriter, the ropes and to keep a professional eye on her.
The first case involves the body of a homeless woman found in a marsh in Salt Lane. The coroner is not able to determine the cause of death but the autopsy is conclusive that she did not drown. Soon a second body is found in a septic tank full of cow manure. Alex is having difficulties finding anyone that can identify both deceased but it appears that the man found in the septic tank may have been an unregistered illegal.
This book examines the issue of illegal immigration; an issue that is very current in today’s headlines. As the author delves into the issue of England carefully deciding who can immigrate and who cannot, a catch 22 occurs whereby many of the jobs in the service industry available in the country are not wanted by the citizens of England and so many employers such as farmers hire illegal immigrants in order to get their orchard crops harvested but know that they are breaking the law by doing so. I found it to be an interesting story line that is relevant also to Canada.
Alex’s character can rub people the wrong way sometimes but Jill Ferriter seemed to soften those edges when they were partnered together. We are also introduced to Zoe, Alex’s teenage daughter who loves bird watching and spends enormous amounts of time enjoying this hobby. For quite a few years Alex had had a tense relationship with her mother but when she needed her mother to come to Kent and help because Alex was working such long hours and Zoe needed more supervision, it gave them an opportunity to mend old misunderstandings.
I found it an enjoyable read and I will continue to look for future books with these characters.
Detective Sergeant Alexandra (Alex) Cupidi recently transferred from the Metropolitan Police in London to Kent, along with her teenage daughter in order to start fresh after an affair with a co-worker. She has been assigned to show a new young constable, Jill Ferriter, the ropes and to keep a professional eye on her.
The first case involves the body of a homeless woman found in a marsh in Salt Lane. The coroner is not able to determine the cause of death but the autopsy is conclusive that she did not drown. Soon a second body is found in a septic tank full of cow manure. Alex is having difficulties finding anyone that can identify both deceased but it appears that the man found in the septic tank may have been an unregistered illegal.
This book examines the issue of illegal immigration; an issue that is very current in today’s headlines. As the author delves into the issue of England carefully deciding who can immigrate and who cannot, a catch 22 occurs whereby many of the jobs in the service industry available in the country are not wanted by the citizens of England and so many employers such as farmers hire illegal immigrants in order to get their orchard crops harvested but know that they are breaking the law by doing so. I found it to be an interesting story line that is relevant also to Canada.
Alex’s character can rub people the wrong way sometimes but Jill Ferriter seemed to soften those edges when they were partnered together. We are also introduced to Zoe, Alex’s teenage daughter who loves bird watching and spends enormous amounts of time enjoying this hobby. For quite a few years Alex had had a tense relationship with her mother but when she needed her mother to come to Kent and help because Alex was working such long hours and Zoe needed more supervision, it gave them an opportunity to mend old misunderstandings.
I found it an enjoyable read and I will continue to look for future books with these characters.
How fabulous to discover a new female detective...I was led to William Shaw when reading an interview with Sara Paretsky who recommended the author. Wherever she goes, I will happily follow! Despite a few points where I raised an eyebrow, I found it an engaging and page turning. I feel ready to have this cast of characters in my life!
Loved the back story of the characters especially the Greenham Common protests, which I remember well. The main plot also had a political bite with migrant workers, gangmasters as well as identity theft. All of this made it both relevant and contemporary but more because it made it a really "goodread"
Loved the back story of the characters especially the Greenham Common protests, which I remember well. The main plot also had a political bite with migrant workers, gangmasters as well as identity theft. All of this made it both relevant and contemporary but more because it made it a really "goodread"
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Visit the locations in the novel here
A very fine read. Social commentary mixed with the evocation of a landscape which seeps into the story so that it becomes the story. Great characters too with backstories I can' wait to find out more about. There's something very eerie and ethereal about the marshes and this book brings them out and shines a light on them. An immersive way of writing and keen observations complete with killer dialogue makes this a real reading treat.
The land is inhospitable in places and this is reflected on the poor illegal immigrants forced to work for peanuts in back breacking work on farms and marshland. The story built slowly but each piece fell into place and created a jigsaw of emotions. Romney Marsh holds many secrets it would seem and the story revealed them one by one.
This novel really shone for me as it weaves social commentary, great writing and unique observation of landscape into one neatly tied package. It’s grim in parts but there’s a raw quality in its brutal honesty and I found myself slowing down to appreciate it even more.
A great first in a series. I’m definitely on board for book two although I will have to stop thinking that the main character is called Cupid.
Next book now Mr Shaw please!
mysterious
medium-paced
Great setting of Dungeness in Kent. (Having visited the area several times.) This is a slow burn story, it takes time to get used to the new characters. Interesting elements are the illegal immigrants and the waterway (ditches) around the area.
Will definitely be continue with the series.
Will definitely be continue with the series.
I really enjoyed this book! It moved right along with several interesting murders. The story wove in the complicated issue of illegal migrants, giving me some insight into the challenges the UK faces (which aren't that different from the US). I did have to look up the word "Gangmaster" because I wasn't familiar with it and it's a term that's used quite often, especially at the end of the book.
I really liked our protagonist, Cupidi, and her sense of humor. The other police officers were great characters too, especially Cupidi's partner. And Cupidi's personal relationships were really complicated and interesting and it was great to see Cupidi (and the other characters) grow personally through the story.
And do not skip the author's acknowledgments at the end of the book -- I was laughing out loud.
I really liked our protagonist, Cupidi, and her sense of humor. The other police officers were great characters too, especially Cupidi's partner. And Cupidi's personal relationships were really complicated and interesting and it was great to see Cupidi (and the other characters) grow personally through the story.
And do not skip the author's acknowledgments at the end of the book -- I was laughing out loud.
Well, I wanted to like this one but I renewed it twice from the library; still only 2/3 through and no interest in picking it up again. Time to give up.
I thought this started out very interesting with a
dead wmoan initially, and then someone claiming
to be that same woman still alive. However once
some of that gets sorted the story kind of peters
out into a tale of immigration issues for the UK.
Additionally there is alot of irritating nonsense
with the protagonist's daughter that just added
pages without adding depth.
The climactic scene at the end is far-fetched but
made for a happy ending.
Mildly recommended as standard British fare.
dead wmoan initially, and then someone claiming
to be that same woman still alive. However once
some of that gets sorted the story kind of peters
out into a tale of immigration issues for the UK.
Additionally there is alot of irritating nonsense
with the protagonist's daughter that just added
pages without adding depth.
The climactic scene at the end is far-fetched but
made for a happy ending.
Mildly recommended as standard British fare.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes