MISSING by D E Beckler

4* Very good intro to this author, in a tale refreshingly set in Manchester UK.

What made this tale for me was Victor's relationship with his 'talking' dog, but also, that it wasn't a faux-US-mafia tale set in the Bronx, that's been done far too often to the point of 'here we go again'. The down-to-earth feel of the storyline and characters made them believable, especially the brother in the PI duo, who was the weaker link, the one who's gotten them into the situation with their unwanted Scottish customer, who's clearly going to be trouble in book 2. 

The gritty feel of the Manchester underworld was kept real by not making it OTT. The bad guys felt menacing, as did the discovery of the situation with the blue bin. A bit of a strong stomach was needed in parts. The posse that got assembled for the final fight didn't quite feel believable, nor did how quickly they came together and coordinated and planned so well - that's where the tale lost 1* for me. They were strangers made to look a bit The A-Team, which felt passé.

Still, I'd read more of this series and this author.


 

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