Goodreads Description
This far exceeded my expectations. A whip-smart police procedural that hits all the right notes with character development, mystery, setting, and intelligent writing. If it weren't for Book of the Month, I might never have read this- and that's exactly why I'm a subscriber. I make it a point to read each month's selection in the same month so they don't pile up- and it keeps my reading fresh and varied. I'm not sponsored by them, but love gabbing about subscription services that have actually benefited my reading life instead of adding useless clutter. Ad over.
Thank you Susie Steiner for the clearly labeled sections with the narrator's name. I love multi-perspective yarns, and while I occasionally appreciate a clever play on this style, I find it easier to focus on the story when I'm not trying to suss out who's speaking through context clues.
There are many heartfelt and funny quotes that doubly make this worth your time. Here are a couple smashing writing samples:
"Married love has been a revelation....not the lurching outer edges of feeling, no, but the sheer depth and texture of it. All her memories involve him. He is the only person on earth who can talk about the children with the same exhaustive gusto that she does....And she is wrong to be quite so consumed with feminist rage. It's not as if he does nothing: the cup of tea, for example, he brings her in bed each morning; his final checks on the house at night; the way he'll run upstairs to find her slippers....These are small, repetitive acts of love."
Also, here's a funny snippet from one of Manon's forays into the perils of internet dating:
Educated:to an intimidating degree. Willing to hide this. Prone to tears. Can be needy. Often found googling "having a baby at 40".
Age:39
Looking for:book-reading philanthropist with psychotherapy training who can put up shelves. Can wear glasses (relaxed about this).
Dislikes: most of the F*cktards I meet on the Internet.
It was refreshing to take a break from real-life American police drama and learn the terminology and differences in British law enforcement (not that things are all sunshine and roses by any stretch!) Detective Davy was one of my favorite sidekicks, bustling with sincerity and optimism in the midst of depressing precinct updates and jaded officers. Manon's flawed personality made me root for her, and sad when she got in her own way.
Comparisons can be tricky, but I second that if you are an avid Tana French fan, this would be an excellent novel for you! The dynamics of the police station and characters reminded me of Rob and Cassie from the Dublin Murder Squad (sans romantic vibes, which was honestly nicer). It's still wholly it's own, but mirrored my engagement with French's books. Give it a shot. I'm crossing my fingers that Steiner will go the series route with this one, because I want so much more from these characters. I will miss them.
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