THE DARK BELOW by Sherry Rankin

 4* Stunned that this only SR's 2nd novel. Dark, dreary, almost dull at times but goodness, does she drag readers in.

I didn't like - but I appreciated and was enthralled by - the author's first book, as it was too draining and stark. Yet like that one, this one completely drew me in with SR's ability to make everything seem realistic and believable. This one was sadder than the other because of the broken relationships that could've been salvaged had there not been toxic masculinity as examples of being a man, and people lying out of being scorned. The reveals are actually very sad, because someone who started off being hard done by, but who wanted to help others, got in over their head and things escalated. 

I was nearly put off by the frankly awful female lead that was Teddy. Too much wanting to be an almost-cop to be mum and wife. Too much letting her kids down. Too much judgey about her ex and his younger fiancée, without whom Teddy's kids would've been neglected. And let down once again. But, sharp of eye and mouth, wasted as a professor teaching cop stuff at college/uni. Just not admirable or likeable. 

The reveals were both simple and convoluted. And sad because people lied and didn't have a guilty conscience about doing so. And not enough people got what they were due, even at the end. Still, it's a compelling and worthwhile read - if you can ignore the annoying Teddy.

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

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