The Silent Wife by Andy Maslen

 4.5* This series is addictive, but why oh why isn't Carve-Up getting his comeuppance right now? Who's protecting him and why? 


It's best to read this series in order to fully understand Kat's relationships with her father and with her boss, both of whom happen to be corrupt and each other's croney. These are horribly unhealthy relationships, and why at least the 'professional' one isn't at a disciplinary stage, beggars belief. Yes, there's a tiny scene where Kat's boss gets shown up but bigger, blunter, deeper, longer, nastier and more all should have happened in my book, no pun intended!!

The last book ended on a bit of a bombshell that becomes the uncomfortable aspect of this tale, but tbh, it was overly bigged up and questions should have been asked by Kat. To not do so allowed Carve-Up to have the upper hand, and her father could and should have done more to help. Or perhaps maybe just not lie. Getting to the crux of the issue was protracted and overly complicated IMHO - blame the day job - and once done, the show-them-up scenes lacked passion, anger and ultimatums. But, hopefully both guys know that Kat can and will kick butts in future.

That aspect aside, there's a solid storyline in this read. I was pretty clueless until Kat played a hunch based on her relationship with the killer, although, should she have been allowed to be the investigating officer, given her friendship with the killer? I'm not sure that  correct police procedures were followed here, but maybe a bit of license was used. It's a decent tale and I'm pretty invested in this DI and what happens next. But, oh, Tom? Ugh, his loyalties changed quickly and then changed back, tail between his legs, once he showed himself up as not quite competent to be lead investigator. I'm not sure I'd have forgiven him as quickly as Kat did for his disloyalty. But, Ma-Linda and Kat's family, and Liv (although it's a puzzle how both she and Kat risk her being around in their home town, seeing as Liv is officially still missing - suspending disbelief here, as before, to be able to enjoy this decent series) have her back, which is great to see. The side characters are done right - there organically when she needs them, but never overshadowing things and never getting in the way. 

I see a 'let's have it out' with both Kat's dad and boss, hopefully in the next book. If it doesn't, there really needs to be a good reason for it. As well as a thawing of personal relations, based on the (not tough enough) family showdown. This series has become an autobuy from book 2, so I'm prepared to go with the plot holes for now.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer, for my reading pleasure.

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