Natalie Marlow

William Garrett and his partner Phyll are called in to investigate a mysterious death at Red Hollow. This is the sanitarium where Phyll's brother, Freddy, is being treated for the after-effects of the war. When they arrive they find the residents terrified of the 'mermaid', a monster that appears in wet weather and who kills abusive men.
I really enjoyed Marlow's first novel and this is even better. It's a wonderful combination of 1930s detective grounded in Birmingham mixed with gothic-inspired horror which shouldn't work but it does. The period detail is fantastic and the setting suitably scary. This is a very original book and well worth reading.… (más)

After his experiences in the Great War Billy Garrett returns to Birmingham and carves out a living as a private detective specialising in facilitating divorces. He is approached to follow the wife of a prominent businessman but discovers that man's prediliction for young girls overlaps with his adherence to the rising Fascist movement. When his close friend and a client are killed Billy finds himself pulled into a seedy world of pornography.
For a debut novel this book is really assured and the plot is clever enough to satisfy. Some might say it is american noir crossed with Peaky Blinders but it works on many levels. I really liked the whole idea of the underbelly of society indulging their depravities at the expense of the poor, the prostitute who wanted new teeth so she could get a job in a shop really felt honest. This is a very rewarding read.… (más)