This British author's mystery debut introduces Detective Joseph Rafferty, newly promoted, and his sidekick, the lugubrious and sententious Sergeant Llewellyn. Their first big case together, the mutilation murder of a young woman in an expensive mental hospital, tests both their ability and their compatibility: they risk unpleasant retribution from the clinic's ambitious, womanizing owner as well as scrutiny by press and superiors. Solid police procedure set in an isolated area but fraught with conflict. For most collections.
This turned out to be a good story. I had some difficulty with how Rafferty and Llewelyn as partners got along but as I read on I understood it better. Their personalities are so opposite - Rafferty the Inspector is the humorous one while Sergeant Llewelyn is quite serious. As the story went on it became evident that the two did make a team ... with one being impetuous and the other reining him back in a bit.
The mystery was good - I thought I may have figured out who the culprit was and it turned out I was right but I did change my mind a few times before finally settling on who I thought did it
This is a good English police procedural and mystery. I've purchased the boxed set of the first books and am enjoying the second story even more.
Joseph Rafferty is a new inspector of police. He comes from a large family and his Ma is a big influence on his life. She wants him married, he is not in a rush. He has insecurities and believes the class system influences his ability to rise in the police ranks. He is smart, and funny and impetuous and generally a very good cop.
His partner is Llewellyn, a Welshman who seems to be a rather closed off character. Slowly we learn of his childhood. Mostly we learn he is well-educated and has a quotation for nearly every occasion. His sense of humour is quiet but quite deadly. And he is observant. He sees and hears what people say and also what they never say. Here is another good cop.
This is the first book I have read by Ms Evans. It will not be the last.
A young woman is found murdered on the grounds of a mental hospital. She is beaten beyond the ability to identify her. We slowly learn who she is. At the same time, we learn about all the people connected to victim and the hospital. There are many suspects. We also learn of the townsfolk who live nearby. There are more suspects.
The plot is well written and presents a good flow to the solution of the mystery. Information is not thrown around wildly, but it does come to us a little at a time. A picture emerges and the reader is along for the ride.
The character development is terrific. Not only do we get to know Rafferty and Llewellyn, but we also get to know many others. Some of them are suspects, some innocent bystanders, some likeable and some appear to be some of the worst examples of society.
This is a well written book and I look forward to reading more books written by Ms Evans.
