The story begins with the discovery of a body, which quickly connects to the eight-year-old disappearance of Daisy Mason – a case Detective Inspector Adam Fawley first tackled in Close to Home.  

 

While I didn't read Close to Home, I could follow the story just fine with the information provided by the detectives. 

However, I recommend reading the first book if you have it or planning to read it, as this one will spoil it for you. 

 

The introduction of the detective team at the beginning was very helpful, though as a reader new to the series, I found the large cast of characters – including two detective teams, police officers, victims, and witnesses – a bit overwhelming and at times felt confused when I forgot one or two characters and their connection to the case. 

 

I love epistolary novels because they offer a unique reading experience. 

The inclusion of newspaper clippings, emails, forensic test results, and pictures made me feel like I was investigating alongside the detectives, trying to unravel the mystery of a seemingly dead girl being alive and possibly involved in another homicide. 

 

The first half of the book moves at a slower pace, but it definitely picks up as the pieces of the puzzle start to come together, leading to a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase between the detectives and the culprit. 

 

Overall, this was an enjoyable read with a suspenseful ending that leaves many questions unanswered, suggesting a possible continuation. 

I’ll definitely wait for the next book to continue this series, meanwhile I think I’ll pick up Murder in the Family, as the TV series from that book makes an appearance in this novel.