A Deadly Thaw
""Whether it was at night before bed or on the bus I just wanted to keep reading this book." "
Synopsis:
Autumn 2004 - In Bampton, Derbyshire, Lena Fisher is arrested for suffocating her husband, Andrew.
Spring 2016 - A year after Lena's release from prison, Andrew is found dead in a disused mortuary.
Who was the man Lena killed twelve years ago, and who committed the second murder? When Lena disappears, her sister, Kat, sets out to follow a trail of clues delivered by a mysterious teenage boy. Kat must uncover the truth - before there's another death...
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Review:
I nicknamed this book 'Just One More Chapter' as that is what I kept saying when I needed to stop reading. Whether it was at night before bed or on the bus I just wanted to keep reading this book. 'A Deadly Thaw' is Sarah Ward's second novel in the Inspector Sadler series. 'In Bitter Chill', was a wonderfully written, understated and chilling. I really wanted 'A Deadly Thaw' to have the same emotive resonance. To my delight, the sequel bettered the original. DI Francis Sadler may be the protagonist but his two subordinates of DC Connie Childs and DS Damian Palmer are equally drawn in their complexities and troubled personalities. The relationship of the trio is natural and comfortable. The plot is highly original and intelligently conceived. Sarah Ward is a talented writer who takes the reader on an emotional journey as the sensitive story unfolds. Ward refuses to shy away from the difficult aspects of the dark story and treats it with respect. It is never voyeuristic and always entertaining. The story moves along at a cracking pace and is littered with misdirection. The finale is highly charged and a satisfying conclusion is reached. I think my favourite character of our three leads is Connie Childs - a strong detective with a vulnerable nature. She could lead a novel on her own. Sarah Ward is a literate crime writer and is definitely an author to watch out for.