Death Line

"Death Line", published by Creative Content Limited. When a child is murdered, everyone gets a life sentence. When ten-year-old Josh Bankss body is discovered dumped on waste ground, Detective Sergeant Bev Morriss wants justice. Shes not alone. Everyone hates child killers even hardened criminals. Tip-offs trickle in, and the new press liaison officer has his work cut out when the squad springs a leak. Trial by redtop is the least of the cops worries... 7th in Maureen Carters Birmingham-based Bev Morriss police procedural series. From Publishers Weekly Fans of gritty contemporary police novels will welcome British author Carter's seventh mystery featuring Det. Sgt. Bev Morriss (after 2009's Blood Money). The frantic search of Morriss and her colleagues on the Birmingham force for missing 10-year-old Josh Banks ends with the discovery of the boy's asphyxiated corpse. An anonymous caller points the police to Roland Haines, who was previously acquitted by a jury of murdering a child, despite the discovery of the victim's battered body in Haines's bathroom. This tip, naturally, provides no easy solution, as Banks's killing proves to be just the first of many that may connect to previous child murders. The complications of Morriss's personal life, especially her relationship with former supervisor Bill Byford, slow things down in spots, but in the end those sections pay off. The emotional impact of the shocking climax more than compensates for a less than surprising killer. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved. From Booklist Starred Review The latest Bev Morriss mystery is also the best in the seriesso far. The abduction and murder of a young boy lead to a series of killings that appears to be connected to the abduction. All of the victims are accused or convicted child murderers. But whos responsible? Could it be someone in the press, acting as an avenging angel? If so, whos been leaking confidential information to the press? Orand this is a particularly distressing possibilitycould the killer be Superintendent Byford, Morriss colleague, friend, and (inevitably, it seems) romantic partner? Carter, an excellent storyteller, springs a couple of Jeffrey Deaverworthy surprises, and the novels final scenes, as the story races to its shocking conclusion, will make readers jaws drop. The story will have greater effect for those familiar with the Morriss series, but new readers will feel the impact, too, especially if they enjoy hard-edged UK mysteries starring female cops (Denise Minas Maureen ODonnell series, for example). As good as Carter is, it may be hard for her to top this one. --David Pitt Book details: published 2011. Order now on BookShops.in with fast, reliable delivery across India.