Book Review: Scaredy Cat

Reviewed By: Woodstock - RAM

Scaredy Cat     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon UK PB Amazon UK HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Mark Billingham
Class/Genre:   Mystery
Series: Tom Thorne # 2

Detective Inspector Tom Thorne works in the Serious Crimes Unit in London. His job brings him to the scenes of the most heinous crimes. In the earlier novel "Sleepyhead" Thorne tracked a most unusual criminal, who attempted to place his victims in a state of suspended animation, instead of killing them.

Here Thorne is called to an apartment where a little boy is found with the body of his mother, who has been strangled some three or four days earlier. Obsessed by the tragic silence of the little boy during police interviews, Thorne instinctively understands the motives of the murderer he tracks, and realizes that there are two killers at work, moving on the same night, and in the same manner to duplicate each other's efforts. Thorne manages an arrest fairly early on, and his understanding is confirmed by the first man held in custody. But an elaborate plan to draw the second killer into custody goes tragically awry and events spiral out of control.

As a backdrop to the action, the Christmas season arrives and Thorne copes with the exasperating indecision of his elderly father. Two colleagues in the Serious Crimes Unit deal with their own personal difficulties and a tragedy ensues which becomes entwined with Thorne's investigation.

Very tightly plotted, very very dark.

Thoroughly enjoyable!

Woodstock - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Woodstock - RAM