Tags

, ,

Cut Short is not forgotten, but a new book that I feel deserves notice. It’s a first novel, I believe, by an English author introducing Detective Inspector Geraldine Steel.
9781842432716
Steel had transferred to the small town of Woolsmarsh looking for a fresh start. She expected a quiet village, giving her a chance to deal with her own personal demons. A recent six year relationship had ended when the man moved out and in with another woman, Steel learning that the not-the-marrying-kind-of-guy was now engaged.

Almost immediately, she gets involved in a case of a murdered young woman whose body is found in a local park. Strangled, no sexual assault, just killed. A teacher passing through the park encountered a man who may have been the killer and gives a tentative identification that isn’t very informative.

A second body turns up, this one a twelve year old female, blond like the first victim, partially undressed, but still no sexual assault. A third body turns up, blond, this one nude. The killer is escalating.

The police are under pressure. A group of women are organizing protests at the police’s inaction. They want the park closed.

The book is advertised as “if you like Ruth Rendall, you’ll love this one.” It’s been a good many years since I read Rendall, so I can’t comment on that aspect. But the prose is sharp and moves briskly along. It was a fairly quick read and I feel it would fit nicely on any crime fan’s bookshelf. There is even a money back guarantee if you don’t like it.

I did.