HOLLOW GROUND by Freya Wallace

 4* Decent police procedural, but needs an edit, some tightening, and needs a less-rushed ending. The latter spoilt the tale, as it was too quick, convenient and easy.

This is a decent tale set in the UK, which automatically earns it brownie points. In my book, pun not intended, what loses it points is the (on the spectrum?) unlikable, cheating Sophie, and tbh, I was rooting for Rachel, not her. 

The tale itself is believable and well done, and the male detective is a decent guy. I'm not sure why his family drama/s got pulled into it, but neither his ex-wife nor his alkie brother added to the tale in any meaningful way, so reading about them was an irritant and detracted from the pace and feeling of danger - an editor really could've helped this decent first-time author out here. 

The tale ends sort of as expected, but unrealistically so with how quick and easily the bad guy gets duped and subdued. For me, this equated to build-up but a letdown ending. Again, I think the issue of pacing needs addressing by editors.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Hamya Press, for my reading pleasure.

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