HER FINAL SECRET by Paul J Teague

 4* Solid police procedural, though I'm not sure how Hollie was permitted to remain on the case, given her connection to events from the past.

This is sad and horrifying in parts, as well as satisfying when you read about the awful deaths inflicted on those who frankly deserved what they got. It's a well-orchestrated tale that has more than meets the eye, and the ending was a pretty decent surprise.

I suspect it drew more than a little from child trafficking rings that've made headlines in places such as Rochdale in the not too distant past, but here, most of the guilty paid for it, satisfyingly, an eye for an eye (not PC, I know, but who cares?). I liked that there was closure for Hollie, Moira and 2 others, whose lives had no doubt gone down the 'if only' route. There's some solid old-fashioned policework here, although that Hollie was allowed to remain on the case required a lot of suspension of disbelief. 

I'm not sure I liked Hollie enough, though, to want to read the previous tales in this series. It's easy to judge when you read that her 2 youngest kids are with her ex, whilst her eldest (not the ex's) is with her towards the end of the book. I don't think I recall even one interaction or Facetime or call with them, or any talk of having them, which felt a little weird. At the same time, it's a bit convenient as with the kids in her care, she wouldn't be able to do her job. Still, it was a cohesive and believable read.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my reading pleasure.

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