PLAY WITH FIRE by T.M. Payne

4* Another good read with unexpected twists and reveals. 

You don't have to have read the previous books in this series to enjoy this one, but the recurring characters are a decent bunch, and I'm vested in finding out what happens to Anna and what form her eventual revenge takes, and would like to see the comeuppance that her ex deserves. I feel for her but ugh, she's also being a silly cow by allowing the domestic abuser back into her life. Anyway, I digress.

This is a tale set about 50 years in the past, as well as in the present. Two very separate storylines that the author's managed to skilfully work alongside each other, as separate 'cases', with Sheridan kind of being the thing that makes them gel. I think the definition of 'scally' totally works in a certain character here, you can't help but root for him and want justice done. I liked how he got his revenge whilst keeping his promise to Sheridan. And there's more of Maud, who seems to eat stuff cats aren't meant to, without consequences. And, as the tale ends, there's a bit of personal news for Sheridan that gives her (and hopefully, eventually, her parents) hope that the net could one day close on her brother's killer.

Let's hope it's not too long a wait before the next in this mostly-keeps-it-real UK-set police procedural.

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

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