A stunning police procedural which struggles under the weight of its many subplots and flashbacks. 3 stars which I might bring up to 4 stars if I can’t stop myself later on.

If there’s one thing about me - I LOVE a police procedural and this book could have some of the best police procedural work I’ve read. It’s enjoyable, thorough and clean. Apart from that one… thing…

Which leads me onto the issues I have with this book.
My god, the subplots.

For example the first 5% of this book is pure excellence of an introduction to THE crime scene. I read that first 5% and then… you have to wait until you’re 32% into the book and the police procedural part of the police procedural novel starts up again?

Sure, this is the first novel in your new series and some ground work needs to be made to understand the major players and their motivations. But after the stunning introduction it was almost like whiplash.

Truthfully I don’t think I’d be so passionate about pacing and side plots if it wasn’t for that one absolutely bonkers side plot that is so STUPID it almost made me DNF? You’ve been warned and feel free to message me to discuss when you reach it.

All in all I will be preordering the next instalment in the Steinbeck and Reed series because it has captured and charmed me.