Published by Scribner Genres: Crime, Fiction, Mystery
Format: ARC, eBook
3.5 stars
“Good never prevails. It simply treads water and waits for the bad to show up.”
Philomena (Phil) McCarthy is a police officer for the elite Metropolitan Police in London. Some questioned why she wanted to be a police officer as her father and uncles are known criminals. But she takes her job seriously and when she responds to a domestic violence call, she bites off more than she can chew.
The victim is Tempe Brown, and her abuser is Darren Goodall, a married Scotland yard detective. Their interaction is not pleasant and sets the stage for drama that did not come from her momma. No, it comes with being questioned, being ostracized by her colleagues, while becoming entangled in an unhealthy relationship. A relationship which threatens her relationship with her fiancée, Henry.
One would think she would back down, one would hope she would use her skills to look at situations with trained yes. One would think…. but Phil, doesn’t. And that is one of my issues with this book. For a police officer trained to read situations, body language and people – she is seriously lacking in this department.
I seriously, wanted to throttle Phil as she could not see the forest for the trees. But her lack of attention to detail is what stirs the pot and adds tension and drama in this book. Although, her she had me wanting to pull her aside and say, “open your eyes woman!”, I was entertained and fully engaged in this book.
I enjoyed her male family members. What you saw was what you got, which was refreshing in this book. I found myself annoyed various times by Phil, while rooting for her as well.
It may sound like I am being harsh, but the things I mentioned are what kept me from enjoying the book more. What worked for me was the criminals, the realistic examples of the police protecting their own while being resistant to another. I enjoyed how the plot unfolded with the twists and turns. The reveal was both refreshing and believable for me.
Pure enjoyment and a worthwhile read.
Thank you to Scribner and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.