Avenge the Dead (DI Frank Farrell) by Jackie Baldwin
Genre: Crime fiction, police procedural
Read: 8th June 2020
Purchase: Amazon
(publication date: 28th February 2020)
★★★★ 4 stars
Firstly, let me say that AVENGE THE DEAD is the third installment of the DI Frank Farrell series and I suspect that readers would benefit from starting at the beginning before tackling this one. However, having said that, I did thoroughly enjoy the story...I just wish I knew more of what was going on with the backstory that readers are just drip-fed throughout.
When a prominent solicitor's wife is murdered, DI Frank Farrell, DS Mhairi McLeod and DC Dave Thomson head back to Dumfries from their new base in Glasgow to head up the investigation. The team had formerly lived and worked there but returning appears to stir up memories for them all, particularly for Frank. The team suspect Gina's husband Fergus but he had been playing poker with two other defence solicitors, Jack Kerr and Max Delaney, at the time. Then it soon comes to light that the murdered woman, Gina Campbell, was having an affair with another solicitor and was the daughter a Glasgow mob boss Mario Lombardo. Could her death have ties to her father's seedy business dealings?
However, when the son of another solicitor is murdered, the case becomes more complicated. Aaron Sullivan was in the process of being adopted by Jack and Sarah Kerr. So how does his death connect to that of Gina Campbell?
But when it is revealed that all three solicitors - Fergus Campbell, Jack Kerr and Max Delaney - share a history of having been present shortly before the tragic death of a colleague in a fire 10 years before, Farrell begins to wonder if the deaths are somehow linked to the past? If so, is Max Delaney's family next?
Then out of left field, the bullish sheriff presiding the bench these same solicitors appear before daily winds up dead, found hanging in his courtroom one morning. How is Sheriff Granger's death connected to the first two? And does it also have something to do with that of Collette Currie ten years ago?
The third installment in the DI Frank Farrell series by Jackie Baldwin, I wish I had known that AVENGE THE DEAD was part of a series. Not for any other reason than it is irritating to feel like you have come into a story halfway through and seemingly spend half the time trying to pick up pieces that may hint to the backstory. In this case, it was mentioned throughout that Farrell was taking Lithium. There is no reason given why he does, so I can only assume major depression or Bipolar. That, and the subplot regarding their former boss, John Lind who has been laying in a coma for the past two years. No idea what happened there. Just that it is.
Having come into the series partway through, I still enjoyed AVENGE THE DEAD and love the Scottish backdrop in rural Dumfries rather than the bustling and seedier Glasgow. I did find Farrell's battle with alcohol a little tiresome, but then for me that's a bit stereotypical of many police procedurals that I find a little too common for my taste. However, I do understand why he is in such a state...I just tire of the same old cliche of lonely detective seeking refuge in a pint glass.
Twisted and often dark, AVENGE THE DEAD is utterly engrossing where the action never stops and I found myself turning page after page, unable to put it down. I love love love the short snappy chapters which always keep the pace going and is my favourite kind. There is never a dull moment.
Despite the twists and the plethora of possible suspects, I guessed very early on who was behind the murders and why...although not all aspects, so happily there were some surprises to be had as they were revealed. But even so, this never spoilt my enjoyment of this fast paced action packed police procedural slash crime thriller. For me, I just thought it was obvious...with a mega clue staring readers right in the face.
AVENGE THE DEAD is thrilling read that I have no hesitation in recommending though I do suggest starting at the beginning of the series.
I would like to thank #JackieBaldwin, #NetGalley and #OneMoreChapter and #HarperCollinsUK for an ARC of #AvengeTheDead in exchange for an honest review.
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