Where She Lies (Det. Finnegan Beck #1) by Michael Scanlon
Genre: Crime Fiction, Police Procedural
Read: 20th February 2019
Purchase: Amazon
★★★★ 4 stars
WHERE SHE LIES in the first in a brand new Irish crime series by Michael Scanlon. It was previously published as THE QUIET HOURS.
A former inspector in Dublin, Detective Finnegan Beck finds himself not only demoted back to Detective Sergeant but transferred to a sleepy backwater town called Cross Beg situated in County Galway. His main objective? To do his job, keep his head down and not get too involved in whatever goes on in the village. The less involved he is, the quicker he can return to Dublin and his life there.
But then 15 year old Tanya Frazzali is found dead in the woods and Beck cannot sit back and watch his superiors lay the crime at the feet of an innocent man. Beck instinctively believes that there are darker motives at play and it isn't long before more deaths follow - despite their differing methods. However, police politics dictate that Beck must tow the line and refer to his superiors with regard to the case, who look down on him with somewhat distaste. However, Beck finds an ally in his detective constable Claire Somers as they question the Frazzali family and possible suspects.
Beck also has somewhat of an ally in forensic pathologist Dr Gumbell, and together they seem to spend several nights in one of the town's many pubs. This was the part I grew weary of. So many police prodeural mysteries see cops drinking themselves into oblivion most nights, and for me it isn't an integral part of the story. I get tired of it and it could well do without it.
WHERE SHE LIES moves along at a relatively good pace - not fast but not slow either. Just enough to keep you interested and reading for more. The suspect pool changes along the way as suspicion moves from one to another...until the reveal in the end.
Apart from the mystery, WHERE SHE LIES is as much about Beck and his story, as we learn pieces of information about him along the way. He has his own troubles but it doesn't stop his ability to solve the case. He is rather likeable as is his DC Claire Somers. They work well together and are a likeable team.
WHERE SHE LIES is an enjoyable debut with lots of thrills and twists. I definitely recommend it though I cannot compare it to any other series as to me, Finnegan Beck is one of a kind. I certainly hope to read more of him in the future.
I would like to thank #MichaelScanlon, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #WhereSheLies in exchange for an honest review.
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