What Falls Between the Cracks by Robert Scragg
Published by Allison & Busby
Publication Date: 20th September 2018 (paperback)
Genre: Crime/Thriller
320 pages
Book Description:
Did she slip through the cracks, or was she pushed?
When a severed hand is found in an abandoned flat, Detective Jake Porter and his partner Nick Styles are able to DNA match the limb to the owner, Natasha Barclay, who has not been seen in decades. But why has no one been looking for her? It seems that Natasha’s family are the people who can least be trusted.
Delving into the details behind her disappearance and discovering links to another investigation, a tragic family history begins to take on a darker twist. Hampered by a widespread fear of a local heavy, as well as internal politics and possible corruption within the force, Porter and Styles are digging for answers, but will what they find ever see the light of day?
My Review:
Robert Scragg is one of the new authors this year who have me really excited for the work they are yet to put into print. This debut novel had me completely gripped from the start although I did, in the first few chapters, struggle to get my head around the number of characters and the role they played.
The excellent pairing of DI Jake Porter and DS Nick Styles have a great line in banter whilst still keeping the utmost respect for each other. I thoroughly enjoyed reading how they worked together to get the results, which was a great contrast for other characters in the book.
The discovery of a severed hand in a freezer in a seemingly deserted apartment in North East London leads the duo to question local high achieving business man Alexander Locke who just happens to be married to the step mother of the owner of the hand. The answers they seek regarding missing Natasha Barclay are not forthcoming, as is any other information or any emotion regarding the fact that Natasha hasn't been seen for over 30 years. Something just doesn't add up, and the crime fighting duo are soon led into the murky underworld of local drug dealers with the cross over of facts in this case with investigations being made by their drug squad colleagues. I couldn't work out who knew what or whether those being investigated were actually involved or just under pressure from Locke and his associates. Furthermore, the discovery of a possible internal leak of information to the criminals has Porter & Styles wondering who they can trust on the inside - not helped by their discovery of a photo of one of the top brass at a charity event with Locke. The possibility there is a corrupt officer on his team has Porter more determined than ever to make arrests. What actually transpires shocks everyone on the team and my pulse was racing as the closing chapters raced to an action packed climax.
The plotting of this novel and the manner in which the facts are revealed are incredibly well written and it is hard to believe this author has not had other work published before. I will certainly be recommending Robert Scragg as an exciting new voice in the crime genre.
About the Author:
Robert Scragg had a random mix of jobs before taking the dive into crime writing; he's been a bookseller, pizza deliverer, Karate instructor and Football coach. He lives in Tyne & Wear, is a founding member of the North East Noir crime writers group and is currently writing the second Porter and Styles novel. For a full list of upcoming events and more info about Robert and his books, visit www.robertscragg.com
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