The first entry in a continuing crime series needs to be rock solid with the establishment of characters that we will quickly invest in. Police procedurals vary greatly in the depth in which they are willing to devote to the "off plot" character development but its essential that they do. Have to think of the long haul!

Hope Proctor though she was now safe, living temporarily in a womens domestic violence shelter. When the unimaginable happens, a killing results. Only its not Hope that is killed.. Hope's husband is stabbed to death in front of witnesses but the killing may not entirely be a case of self defense. DI Marnie Rome and her partner DS Noah Jake are already investigating a domestic violence case, an horrifying acid 'honor' based attack on a young woman by members of her own family. Ayana Mirza is also at the shelter that day, but what did she and the police really witness?

DS Marnie Rome has the complexity and chops to carry a series and so she has; this series by Sarah Hilary is now up to Book # 5 (COME AND FIND ME). SOMEONE ELSE'S SKIN is an absorbing crime novel, populated with interesting characters, each with their own absorbing backstory that we look forward to hearing more about. How the weight of a person's past will always affect their present is thoughtfully explored, and the modern day clash of cultures in an urban and modern landscape is well presented.

A solid new entry into the UK police procedural market. SOMEONE ELSE'S SKIN will keep you glued to the pages for a short period of time, but it will keep you thinking about it long after.