Better the Blood by Michael Bennett

Hana Westerman is a detective and single, divorced mother in Auckland, New Zealand. A short video file sent to her phone leads her to the scene of an apparent suicide by hanging. But there are indications that it was a murder and pathology quickly confirms this. Soon, evidence of other deaths are sent to her suggesting she is hunting a serial killer. Perhaps too remarkably, Hana discovers a link to an historic crime in Auckland and as the murders continue it becomes clear that present-day relatives of a colonial-era killing of a Maori chief are the targets and this seems to include Hanna or her ex-husband or even their daughter. The murders are utu/revenge/pay-back for the earlier killing.

In Hana’s early years as a police officer she and her colleagues were required to break up a protest, causing pain and humiliation to some tribal elders. This seemed to be the trigger for the killer whose mother was arrested and dragged away by Hana. The killer was a small boy at the time and it seems he blames Hana personally for the humiliation.

Superficially, the story is one of chasing down a serial-murderer, but the author clearly has another story to tell, that of generational pain and suffering associated with colonial-era wrongs and their effects on modern-day, society. I'm not sure the two stories work together and as the book developed, the serial-murder thread seemed to be overwhelmed by the politics, grief and injustice thread/theme. There are clearly two compelling stories to be told and in my opinion, they should’ve been told separately.

The writing is sound, the characters are developed well-enough although Hana's daughter, partner and ex-husband all seemed cliche. More back-story and more inter-play between the characters would’ve made the story work better and perhaps give the reader more reason to empathise with the potential victims and therefore care more about the story’s ending. It felt like Hana solved quite obscure ‘clues’ too easily/quickly and sometimes just by sheer chance. There seemed a lack of that old-fashioned, tiresome detective work. This is breaking the basic rules of the Agatha Christie murder-mystery and gave me a sense of being cheated; I want a fair chance to solve the crime before the detective did.

I enjoyed much of the book –especially the unique setting, both the physical and cultural contexts. I liked that history played a role in the crime, but the two separate stories together rather dampened the experience of each.

Had me turning pages at lightening speed and on the edge fo my seat the whole time. Twisty and unpredictable, a gripping read.

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.

Without giving to much away the book is based around the lives of Detective Senior Sergeant Hanna Westerman, her ex-husband Jaye, who also happens to be her boss and their daughter Addison. The book is set in Auckland New Zealand and is set in the present time. There is a murder that Hanna is put in charge of solving and then a string of murders all because of what happened 160 years ago when "white man" settled in Auckland and hung a Maori. There is also something that happened 18 years ago that is the trigger for the murders.

Hanna is torn between her ancestors, the Maoris and her job as a police detective. Does she return to her Maori roots or stay true to the police force or something in-between?

I loved reading the book, especially as I have been to Auckland. I live in Australia and we have a similiar problem with our local Aborigines where their land was "stolen".

If you have an opportunity to read this book grab it.

A truly outstanding storyline which incorporates Māori traditions and beliefs.

Detective Senior Sergeant Hana Westerman and her partner Detective Constable Stanley Riordan are called to investigate the murder of a man, who they found sealed behind a false wall. He was naked, hanged and his feet tied together. Hana discovers early in the investigation that there is a ritualistic mark left behind. Also, the man has been killed with a weapon unknown to the police. There will be more murders each one more complicated than the last. The big question is why each of these men has been murdered? What does the graphic left behind mean?

What a totally brilliant, hugely different type of police investigation. Hana is Māori and, in many ways, the serial killer is targeting her beliefs in her people and their past treatment by the British who ceased the lands of the Māori people when they first set eyes on the islands. Michael Bennett has included many sayings, expressions, and the customs of the Māori in telling the story which truly enhanced my experience of reading and ensured that I fully understood how they felt about losing their land to the English.

A truly exceptional read. Hopefully, there will be more in a similar ilk from Michael Bennett. I loved learning about the Māori traditions and language.

Rony

Elite Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.

This book is truly excellent.

The story immediately absorbed me, so much so that I stayed up into the early hours to finish it, dragged bleary eyed in the wake of main protagonist Hana and helpless to look away until the final page was turned.

The setting absolutely pops and a dark history emerges through the narrative, in a teaching moment that also entertains with its authenticity and beautiful writing.

Better the Blood is both exciting and thought provoking, with intelligent plotting, true addictive quality and an instinctive style. The characters are all morally layered and hugely intriguing, the "bad guy" encompasses all shades of grey and you leave the novel feeling like you've been through the whole thing yourself.

I'm certainly going to be reading up on some New Zealand history to better understand what I have read but from a readers point of view all you really need to know in advance is that this is a superb novel and well worth your time.

Highly Recommended.

As we read this novel, we uncover layers upon layers of plot. It's a detective investigating a murder. But it soon becomes clear that there is not just one murder. And a much bigger picture starts to emerge involving colonisation and the Maoiri battle for their homeland. Until eventually it seems the detective herself is under threat. A seriously thought provoking and exciting read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for granting me an ARC in return for an unbiased review.
The idea of this book, a crime mystery set in New Zealand appealed to me, as I'd never read a crime mystery set in that country.
The main character Hana Westerman, a senior police officer is sent videos of crime scenes by an unknown individual.
The victims appear initially to be unconnected but it becomes apparent that this is a perpetrator is a killer in search of retribution and in some way connected to her Maori past.
A decent read and I won't spoil it for others by disclosing any more of the plot.

There's a lot to like here, the main two being the characters, the other being a part of New Zealands history I know nothing about.
The characters themselves are good, but I especially liked their relationships with one another.
Interesting piecing together the clues to unconnected murders and solving it .
A good read that just felt full of atmosphere.