The Blurb:
Call it mother’s intuition, but I knew she was dead the moment she was late home. As I listened to her phone ring and ring, that’s when I knew for sure. My little girl was gone.
Twenty years ago, Sophie Nicoll never came home from school. Days later her body was found in a shallow grave on a remote farm a few miles from her hometown. Two boys from her school were found guilty. The press called the boys evil. Sophie’s family wanted them dead. The judge promised they’d never walk free.
Two decades later and schoolgirl Shannon Ross has vanished from a small town in the Scottish Highlands.
It’s Detective Jessie Blake’s first big case since she joined Perthshire Police. Having recently arrived from London, Jessie lives in fear of people finding out about her past and her reasons for moving north.
When Shannon’s body is found in the river on the outskirts of Inverlochty, Jessie discovers she’s not the only one with something to hide. As the small community begins to crack under pressure, people begin to point fingers. And soon, the big secrets hidden within the small town are revealed – with devastating consequences.
This shocking crime thriller set in the dramatic Scottish Highlands will have you reading well into the night. If you like LJ Ross, Cara Hunter or Robert Bryndza, you will absolutely love this.
Heartlands was published by Bookoutre on 21st March 2019 and you can purchase it here.
My Review:
This is the second book I've read by this author, and is the beginning of a new series featuring Detective Jessie Blake. It's a very promising start.
There is a shocking opener in the prologue set in the past before we jump forward to the present day in Inverlochty. From then on, the story flips between now, and the older timeline, which begins in 1996 and moves steadily forwards until it crosses the newer story. That was such an OMG moment for me, I actually exclaimed out loud! A genuine shock that I absolutely didn't see coming.
There are lots of characters and I really had to pay attention early on to get to know everyone, and where they fitted in.
Obviously, Jessie is the standout character here. Recently promoted, this is her first case as senior office. A man with mental health difficulties harms himself, but the blood of a teenage girl is also found in his house. And she hasn't been seen since entering his house. When the police speak to him, he says the 'voices made him do it'. But what have they made him do?
Jessie is dogged and determined. And resolute about doing the right thing. But she has her own demons in a dark back story, which is starting to be teased out and looks to have legs to run and run. Her sidekick Dylan is a great guy - solid and dependable and just perfect for Jessie to bounce her ideas off.
There is a large cast of supporting characters, some more likeable than others. Standouts for me were Jason, the missing girl's father, and her young uncle, Ben. The anxiety and anguish that everyone, but especially these two, suffers exquisitely described.
The pacing is fabulous. We learn little bits of the story as we go, building up to the shocking ending. And a wee hint that there might be more to come about Jessie's personal story. A brilliant beginning to a new series, with a great protagonist. I'm already looking forward to the next book!
The Author:
Kerry Watts was born and grew up in a small town in the East of Scotland where she still lives today. She is always writing and carries a little notebook and pen with her wherever she goes because at her age ideas need to be captured before they disappear.
Kerry specialises in crime fiction because she enjoys pushing the boundaries of what it is to be human. The nature versus nurture debate.
Author Social Media Links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Denmanisfab
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