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A review by portybelle
The Darkest Place by Jo Spain
5.0
Oh, how I have been looking forward to another Tom Reynolds investigation and this latest from Jo Spain most definitely did not disappoint!
In this book we join DI Tom Reynolds and his loyal team of Ray, Laura and Linda as they are called to an old asylum on a remote island off the west coast of Ireland. It is being redeveloped and a mass grave has been disturbed. Most bodies are of ex-patients but one is thought to be that of a doctor who went missing Christmas Eve 40 years ago.
As well as following the team throughout their investigation, we also get to read the diary which Conrad's wife had. In it, concerns are raised about the treatment of patients in the asylum, callous treatment of vulnerable people with mental health issues, and some of whom who probably shouldn't even have been in an asylum. Had this diary given someone a motive for murder? And was it a patient or a staff member?
There was a real 'closed room' kind of atmosphere while the team were on island. There was no WiFi, a patchy mobile signal and important documents had to be sent back to the team on the mainland using a fax machine. The author created a really spooky atmosphere in the old building which was compounded by dark and dreary weather. Sometimes those on the island were effectively trapped as the boat to and from the mainland only sailed if the sea was calm enough. This all added up to give a really claustrophobic feel to the novel.
There were so many people it seemed with things to hide both past and present and many had possible motives to kill Conrad. But Tom and his team could never have guessed what darkness the building was hiding - and neither did I. The book shone a light on the way way people with mental health issues were so badly treated in the not so distant past. There were people kept in the asylum who may never have even been considered in need of help these days. One of the doctors does comment that people were doing what they thought the patients needed at the time but some of the so-called treatment was just cruel and inhumane.
The author so cleverly mis-directed me throughout the book that I had to go back and read some parts again and then it was all so clear! Jo Spain has written another fast-paced read which I thoroughly enjoyed and - no pressure - but I'm already looking forward to the next Reynolds novel! I am also looking forward to seeing her at an event at the Bloody Scotland crime festival in a few weeks where I hope to have a little chat about just when that next novel might be ready...
In this book we join DI Tom Reynolds and his loyal team of Ray, Laura and Linda as they are called to an old asylum on a remote island off the west coast of Ireland. It is being redeveloped and a mass grave has been disturbed. Most bodies are of ex-patients but one is thought to be that of a doctor who went missing Christmas Eve 40 years ago.
As well as following the team throughout their investigation, we also get to read the diary which Conrad's wife had. In it, concerns are raised about the treatment of patients in the asylum, callous treatment of vulnerable people with mental health issues, and some of whom who probably shouldn't even have been in an asylum. Had this diary given someone a motive for murder? And was it a patient or a staff member?
There was a real 'closed room' kind of atmosphere while the team were on island. There was no WiFi, a patchy mobile signal and important documents had to be sent back to the team on the mainland using a fax machine. The author created a really spooky atmosphere in the old building which was compounded by dark and dreary weather. Sometimes those on the island were effectively trapped as the boat to and from the mainland only sailed if the sea was calm enough. This all added up to give a really claustrophobic feel to the novel.
There were so many people it seemed with things to hide both past and present and many had possible motives to kill Conrad. But Tom and his team could never have guessed what darkness the building was hiding - and neither did I. The book shone a light on the way way people with mental health issues were so badly treated in the not so distant past. There were people kept in the asylum who may never have even been considered in need of help these days. One of the doctors does comment that people were doing what they thought the patients needed at the time but some of the so-called treatment was just cruel and inhumane.
The author so cleverly mis-directed me throughout the book that I had to go back and read some parts again and then it was all so clear! Jo Spain has written another fast-paced read which I thoroughly enjoyed and - no pressure - but I'm already looking forward to the next Reynolds novel! I am also looking forward to seeing her at an event at the Bloody Scotland crime festival in a few weeks where I hope to have a little chat about just when that next novel might be ready...