Genre: Police
Procedural
Description:
Eddie Henderson is investigating a series of brutal murders around
Glasgow, but no-one in the authorities wants to listen to him. Eddie is a vet
and the victims are all cats, killed in a fashion designed to maximize pain and
suffering. When human remains start appearing, killed in exactly the same
fashion as the felines, Eddie finally gets some attention. He begins to track
down the killer with the help of junior detective Catherine Douglas but the
bodies begin to pile up…
Author:
Alan Jones was born and brought up in Glasgow but now lives on the
Ayrshire coast. Jones works in the animal health industry. He’s been writing
gritty crime for a decade, and publishes his work under a pen name. In his
spare time Jones makes furniture, sails boats, reads and cooks.
You can learn more about Mr. Jones’ books please check out his author page on Amazon or his website.
Appraisal:
Some months ago I reviewed Jones’ debut, The Cabinetmaker. It was an interesting novel that had much going
for it and, when the author’s second work appeared, I was more than happy to
take a look. And I wasn’t disappointed. In Blue
Wicked Jones takes a huge step forward as a writer (and he was in a good
place to start with). This is an accomplished, well-constructed crime novel
that deserves a wide audience.
The opening is very intriguing – Henderson investigates a death, but
it’s not conventional in approach. Henderson isn’t a copper and the body is a
cat. It’s a quick reveal that cleverly shows the reader this story is a little
different. In addition that the investigating protagonists are a vet and a wet
behind the ears DC are also somewhat novel. The setting is suitably grim
Glasgow, so the other main characters and the action are within this mould.
The story itself clips along, and does not sag at all. I read pretty
much the whole of Blue Wicked on a long transatlantic flight rather than sleep.
There’s a love interest for introverted Henderson and, even when you think the story
is told, there’s more to be revealed. I’m reluctant to say more in case of
giving away the plot.
With The Cabinetmaker the
author produced a mass of supporting information on a website. For those
interested in backstory, you won’t be disappointed.
Good, solid writing. I look forward to Mr. Jones’ third work with even
more anticipation than previously.
FYI:
Some gruesome murders. Scottish accenting to some dialogue and UK
convention.
Added for
Reprise Review: Blue
Wicked was a nominee in the Mystery category for B&P 2015 Readers'
Choice Awards. Original review ran October 25, 2014
Format/Typo
Issues:
None.
Rating:
***** Five Stars
Reviewed
by: Keith Nixon
Approximate
word count: 80,000-85,000 words
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