Alex Walters

One of the things I like best in mystery-action books and series is getting to learn about a new place. So I picked this one up because of its setting: Mongolia, with a Mongolian detective. I was a bit disappointed in the mystery story itself, which was less about solving a string of garish murders than about the political and economic intrigue within which they are set. And oddly, we learn less about the Mongolian characters than about the visiting English policeman. However, it looks like there are others in this series, and I'll be happy to read on, hoping the author gets a better grip on storytelling, because I'm still interested in the place and in the characters.… (meer)

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

A schoolgirl goes missing in 1976 and then in the present day another schoolgirl falls (or is pushed) off a roof. Then some bones are found in the foundations of a house which is being renovated, foundations which were laid in 1976...

I enjoyed this, although the plot took a while to come together, and there were extra layers of what happened to Jayne (the girl from 1976) which were not hinted at until the end, so it was handy that the murderer recounted them to the last victim. I have forgotten what happened to Zoe in the last book to make her so fragile in this one - I think the author should have explained or left that bit out. I enjoyed Annie's relationship with her boss, and I hope Andy will be a recurring character.… (meer)