An overstretched police force, a debt-ridden widow, her robust neighbour - and what have you got? Payback is what you’ve got! This is the fourth story in the Harcus and Laird series. I’m going to admit this and I know it’s not pretty but……..this is the first I’ve read! However I’ve been a sucker for women police/detective/PI partnerships since Cagney and Lacey hit our TV screens in the 80’s. So there was a pretty good chance I’d like this. But what’s it all about……..
Blurb
When police are called to a murder scene at the home of Aberdeen socialite Annabel Imray, they find themselves under pressure to get a conviction, and fast. Meanwhile, local PIs Wilma Harcus and Maggie Laird are at rock bottom, desperate for income. As Maggie contemplates replacing Wilma with an unpaid intern, an eccentric widow appoints them to search for her lost cat – and Wilma goes off-piste to negotiate a loan, with terrifying terms. As the fear caused by a series of sinister break-ins escalates, Maggie blames the aggressive language in public discourse for inciting violent crime. But before long, she finds she is in the danger zone herself.
Will Wilma manage to save her?
Whilst this could never be placed in the ‘Cosy Crime’ category there’s a mischievousness that meanders in and out of the pages. The dynamic between our two leads is light hearted at times yet the author isn’t afraid to pull the punches when the plot demands it. So you get a comfortable balance that makes for a satisfying read.
I never deliberately offer spoilers so I’ll be reticent about discussing the plot in any detail. Suffice to say it has several strands that link together nicely with some parallel events running between the police and Harcus and Laird. The willing reader is led down several garden paths before we are allowed to experience the actual garden! Don’t take anything or anyone at face value!
The dynamic between the two women is clever. They are polar opposites practically which possibly ensures that the reader will relate to one or other of them. They’re both in domestic situations which surely won’t be completely unfamiliar. And it’s a kind of celebration of female friendship.
I’m sure that some of the references in this novel relate to the previous books in the series. However I don’t think the fact that I haven’t read any of them spoilt my enjoyment of this one. If anything it’s made me want to read the others and see just what went on!
The narrative style is accessible and easy to read. It’s the work of an experienced writer and provided she can come up with more tantalising plots like this one Harcus and Laird have a rosy future!
Author
Claire MacLeary
Claire MacLeary lived for many years in Aberdeen and St Andrews, but describes herself as “a feisty Glaswegian with a full life to draw on”. Following a career in business, she gained an MLitt with Distinction from the University of Dundee and her short stories have been published in various magazines and anthologies. She has appeared at Granite Noir, Noir at the Bar and other literary events. Claire’s debut novel, Cross Purpose, was longlisted for the prestigious McIlvanney Prize, Scottish Crime Book of the Year Award 2017, and Burnout was longlisted for the Hearst Big Book Award 2018. Runaway is her third novel and continues the Harcus & Laird series.
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