Newly promoted Detective Leigh Borrowdale teams up with DC Des Chung to investigate a dead body found in a warehouse on the docks.

Set in 1979 Liverpool, both Leigh and Des are on the outside of the team and have to fight against prejudices against them which serves to bring them together.

The writing of the setting made me feel like I was there and being from Liverpool I appreciated knowing the locations and the authenticity of the dialogue. Small pieces of history being weaved through the story were interesting as well and never seemed out of place.

I love the characters of Leigh and Des and the way they interact with each other and the way their relationship developed through the book. The relationship that Leigh has with her mum is also
interesting.

The plot itself of the crime Leigh and Des are investigating is well paced and I enjoyed the way it unfolded.

I am really hoping this is the beginning of a new series as I would love to see what is next for them all.

A clever crime thriller with a historical slant with well developed characters and set in the best city in the world.
Would 100% recommend.

A fascinating debut from Sarah Mellor, set in and around Liverpool and with interesting characters. Although the idea of a female cop whose brother has disappeared or died has become something of a trope in crime fiction, it is handled well here. The mean streets of Merseyside make a good backdrop to the central story, the discovery of a body down by the docks. Setting the story in 1979 gives Ms Mellor the chance to deal with the racism and misogyny which were rife at the time. I look forward to more.