Rhys Dylan

This is the opening novel in a series where a Detective Chief Inspector (Evan Warlow) is summoned out of early retirement when a cliff path landslip uncovers the bodies of two missing walkers. Warlow was in charge of the case which occurred six or seven years previously and despite exhaustive searches no trace was ever found thanks to the site chosen to conceal the bodies.

This was an interesting police procedural mystery with a good cast headed up by Warlow himself - divorced father of grown sons, who has just finished restoring a rural property inherited from his uncle and is now a bit of a loner apart from his faithful Labrador. It was nice, for once, to read about a police detective who is not alcoholic or otherwise dysfunctional, although there is medical intrigue in the background - the reason for his early retirement. The female DCI who replaced him and is now in charge of investigating the two murders is also pretty balanced; although divorced, she is coping with being a single parent to a teenage daughter. The immediate team is rounded out by a female Detective Sergeant, previously mentored by Warlow, and a young and keen male Detective Constable.

There are a few twists and I didn't anticipate most of them, though I realised about two thirds of the way through, from things said by the murdered couple's daughter, the gist of why they had been murdered and wasn't surprised at what happened to two other characters as a result. However, there were still some surprises in the cast of villains, and the story touched on some very topical issues. On the whole I enjoyed it though am not sure about continuing with the series, having encountered some other series where the main character has a medical problem. I hope that this isn't going to end the same way so for now will just award this one 4 stars.… (más)

My Thoughts:
Favourite quote:
"Hypocrisy, thy name is vodka."

I don't know why, but I like the fact that the main protagonist, Evan Warlow, is a retired copper rather than currently a serving officer. I also like the fact that the setting is here in South Wales, thus the places mentioned in the book are familiar to me. And I also like the hint of a suggestion of a supernatural element in the story. Even if it is only in Izzy's mind.

Joseph Tweedale has a nice voice but he talks like Robert E. Fuller. With that kind of intonation. Not the best reading style for a narrator.

I am not usually a crime fiction fan, however, the story telling quality is easy to read/listen to. Thus, I started reading this book. Even with the less than desirable intonation of the narrator, I still enjoyed this book.

And just for sh*ts and giggles, I googled Kieron Thomas. And d**n! If he doesn't exist! For all intents and purposes, this is most likely coincidental. Still... he exists!
DCI Evan Warlow

Then we have a description by Molly of DCI Evan Warlow as Tom Hollander. So, Tom Hollander it is then!

Quantitative Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 4.5
Character development = 4.5
Story itself = 4
Writing Style = 4.5
Ending = 4
World building = 4.5
Cover art = 4
Pace = (9 hrs and 4 mins listening time)
Plot = 4
Narration = 4

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 cherries… (más)