New Zealand crime
3 steloj
I received a copy of The Three Deaths Of Magdalene Lynton by Katherine Hayton as a reward for successfully nominating it, via the Kindle Scout program, for publication by Kindle Press. The novel is a police procedural set in New Zealand so I was reminded of Tin Larrick's Manukau Bluebirds, however the two are very different tales. Manukau Bluebirds has a bustling 'big city' feel to it whereas Three Deaths' vibe is more rural.
Maori Detective Constable Ngaire Blakes finds herself digging up the past when a dying man, Paul Worthington, suddenly decides to confess to a murder he committed some four decades before. The death of fifteen-year-old Magdalene Lynton had been attributed to accidental drowning, but as Blakes and her partner DC Deb Weekes begin asking questions, they discover more guilty consciences than just the one. Hayton creates an intricate web for her readers to try and work out …
I received a copy of The Three Deaths Of Magdalene Lynton by Katherine Hayton as a reward for successfully nominating it, via the Kindle Scout program, for publication by Kindle Press. The novel is a police procedural set in New Zealand so I was reminded of Tin Larrick's Manukau Bluebirds, however the two are very different tales. Manukau Bluebirds has a bustling 'big city' feel to it whereas Three Deaths' vibe is more rural.
Maori Detective Constable Ngaire Blakes finds herself digging up the past when a dying man, Paul Worthington, suddenly decides to confess to a murder he committed some four decades before. The death of fifteen-year-old Magdalene Lynton had been attributed to accidental drowning, but as Blakes and her partner DC Deb Weekes begin asking questions, they discover more guilty consciences than just the one. Hayton creates an intricate web for her readers to try and work out and I liked the handling of Paul's illness storyline. Having seen the combined effects of cancer and chemo, I appreciated her sensitivity. I am not sure that all aspects of Three Deaths are realistic though and Blakes does tend to play the lone hero to extremes. Having said that, the resolution of the case is satisfying and I enjoyed the portrayal of Blakes and Finlay's friendship which made a refreshing change to the usual rush towards intense romance that has irritated me in other crime novels.
I did wonder if I had missed earlier instalments in the series as elements of Blakes' back story aren't explained in much detail, even though they have great bearing on her current psychological situation. Three Deaths is the first book though - I had a good look around to make sure! Perhaps this will be expanded upon in future stories? I look forward to finding out.