*****
In her own place and with her family and a support worker nearby, Vikki Smith seems happy – until she is found dead by a burglar. With a video and Vikki’s name trending on social media, the trolls come out of the woodwork. But could one of them be responsible for her death, or is the killer someone closer to home? Online journalist Tilda teams up with veteran crime reporter Freddie to uncover the truth behind the story. But first, they have to learn to work together…
This is the first book I’ve read by Kate Vane and the first in the Tilda Green and Freddie Stone series. With an ensemble cast of characters, the story moves around the community, building up a picture of the people who may, or may not, be involved in Vikki Smith’s death. With a strong political theme and an intelligent, well-plotted writing style, Ms Vane tells a good tale. Though the quantity and mix of characters did become a little confusing at times, this is a thoroughly absorbing and clever book that delves into difficult issues around community responsibility and the impact and consequences of social media. The author’s characters are convincing and well-drawn, ensuring they are distinct from each other, while giving an authentic feel to the story. The two main characters are also noteworthy in that though the combination is unusual, there are none of the usual irritating traits that investigator-pairings often have in crime fiction.
A thought-provoking mystery that bodes well for future adventures.
This sounds very relevant, Colin.
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It’s a bit different to my usual reads, but I think it’s good to try new stuff 😉
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