Torment by David Evans
Wakefield Series #2
Publication Date: 1st November 2018
Published by Orchard View Publications
330 pages
Book Description:
A message left in error on a young woman's answering machine is the catalyst for uncovering some dark deeds. Three young women are missing, luxury cars are being stolen, and just what did happen to two young schoolgirls, missing since the 1980's? DI Strong and journalist, Bob Souter are drawn into murky and dangerous worlds in this the second book of the Wakefield series.
My Review:
In this, the second in the Wakefield series of detective novels, Colin Strong finds himself in the position of Acting DCI due to the suspension of his colleague Jack Cunningham who is under investigation of misconduct accusations. This leads to tension between Strong and Frank Halliday, a friend of Cunningham who believes his suspension is purely down to Strong's input in a previous case. The two detectives are forced to work together when the cases they are working on overlap, and the men have to talk through their personal gripes in order to move on in a professional level.
With crimes under investigation including car cloning, sex trafficking and murder to name but a few this is a complex bit of plotting by author David Evans, whose writing has undoubtedly stepped up a level in this sequel. As always we have just the right amount of depth to each of the characters and the scenarios are well researched and scarily believable.
I love this author's work and can easily envisage these books being made into a very watchable TV crime drama. The detectives' careers and personal lives move along seemingly in real time and this second book could easily be read as a standalone whilst fitting in as an instalment of the series just as well.
Good old Bob Souter, journalist and lifelong friend of Strong once again plays a prominent part and the two work together well to solve the crimes but as always full disclosure only happens when absolutely necessary. I really enjoyed how more of the team take their moment in the spotlight throughout the book and each of them is given credit for their part in concluding the case which proves what an excellent team leader Strong is.
My stand out moment of this novel is provided by team clown John Darby playing a vital if unwitting role in the apprehension one of the prime suspects which had me chuckling - the last thing I expected to be doing during a gritty crime novel! Much respect to the author for the ability to slot a comedy scene into an otherwise serious book.
The prospect of a third book in the series, Talisman, is one to look forward to - see my review later this month as the blog tour continues.
About the Author:
David Evans is a Scots-born writer who found his true love
as well as his inspiration for his detective series, in Wakefield. Having
written all his life, in 2012 he decided to go for it – successfully as the
next year, in 2013, he was shortlisted for the CWA Debut Dagger Award.
The Wakefield Series became an
International Bestseller in June 2017 with success in Canada and Australia as
well as the UK.
Early 2018 Disposal was published, the first book
in the Tendring Series, a new
detective series, set in north Essex in the 1970s.
Now, whilst
awaiting the fourth book in the Wakefield Series (coming early 2019), the first
three books in the Wakefield series have been republished by Orchard
View Publications with brand new covers. Social Media Links:
Author Website: http://www.davidevanswriter.co.uk/
Amazon Author Page: author.to/DavidEvans Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/davidevanswriter/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DavidEwriter
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