- Paperback: 368 pages
- Publisher: Constable (24 Jan. 2019)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1472127455
- ISBN-13: 978-1472127457
Synopsis
A serial killer is burning people alive in the Lake District’s prehistoric stone circles. He leaves no clues and the police are helpless. When his name is found carved into the charred remains of the third victim, disgraced detective Washington Poe is brought back from suspension and into an investigation he wants no part of . . .
Reluctantly partnered with the brilliant, but socially awkward, civilian analyst, Tilly Bradshaw, the mismatched pair uncover a trail that only he is meant to see. The elusive killer has a plan and for some reason Poe is part of it.
As the body count rises, Poe discovers he has far more invested in the case than he could have possibly imagined. And in a shocking finale that will shatter everything he’s ever believed about himself, Poe will learn that there are things far worse than being burned alive.
Review
The Puppet Show is the first in a new series by M.W.Craven featuring detective Washington Poe; what a fabulous name. Washington Poe is suspended at the beginning of this book after problems with a previous investigation, but is brought in to help catch the Immolation Man, who is burning older men alive in the stone circles of the Lake District. He finds himself working with his old sergeant Stephanie Flynn, now his senior officer, and analyst Tilly Bradshaw, in a race against time to find the connection between the murders and catch the killer. This is an intelligent and fast paced thriller that enthralled me and kept me guessing until the end.
M.W.Craven has created some wonderful characters in The Puppet Show, that add to the enjoyment of reading this book. I loved the name Washington Poe, and by the end of this book I loved the whole character. He is a a detective who thinks out of the box and takes chances that others won’t take which frequently makes his un popular with his superiors; but he gets the job done. He has a wonderful and endearing relationship with analyst Tilly Bradshaw, she is a mathematics genius with two PHD’s but who has led a very sheltered life. She has many childlike qualities that give her a certain charm; she tells things exactly as they are and also takes things literally. Some of her observations and one liners add some well needed humour to this dark murder investigation.
The plot is thrillingly dark and disturbing in the way the men are murdered, with so many red herrings along the way that keep you guessing until the dramatic and shocking end to this book. There is plenty of tension, not just because there is a serial killer on the loose, but between the different agencies working on the case; the local Cumbria police, the National Crime Agency and the Serious Crime Analysis Agency. The setting of the Lake District is gorgeous and fits well to the profile of the crime, with the many stone circle sites where sacrifices may have taken place.
The Puppet Show is a gritty, chilling and dark crime thriller. M.W.Craven introduces us to some memorable characters that have endearing traits and relationships that appear heartfelt; especially Poe and Bradshaw. There are plenty of cliffhanger moments and shocks in this book that kept me on the edge of my seat, or should I say mattress as I was reading this in bed until after midnight. If you are a lover of crime thrillers where the plot and character relationships are equally important, then I highly recommend this book. Gritty, shocking twisted and compelling this is a fabulous read.
