PINTEREST
BLOGLOVIN
GOODREADS
Published by Aria
Available in ebook and paperback (9 January 2020)
352 pages
Source: Copy provided for review via Netgalley
ABOUT THE BOOK
The grieving widow. The other woman. Which one is which?
When Cameron Swift is shot and killed outside his family home, DC Beth Chamberlain is appointed Family Liaison Officer. Her role is to support the family – and investigate them. Monika, Cameron’s partner and mother of two sons, had to be prised off his lifeless body after she discovered him. She has no idea why anyone would target Cameron. Beth can understand Monika’s confusion. To everyone in their affluent community, Monika and her family seemed just like any other. But then Beth gets a call.
Sara is on holiday with her daughters when she sees the news. She calls the police in the UK, outraged that no one has contacted her to let her know or offer support. After all, she and Cameron had been together for the last seven years.
Until Cameron died, Monika and Sara had no idea each other existed. As the case unfolds, Beth discovers that nothing is quite as it appears and everyone, it seems, has secrets. Especially the dead…
Previously published as After He’s Gone.
MY THOUGHTS
Having enjoyed previous police series’ by Jane Isaac, I knew I was going to be in for a quality story and I wasn’t let down.
This series features a new detective. DC Beth Chamberlain is a Family Liaison Officer sent to support the family of a murdered businessman, Cameron Swift.
The story starts with his murder. Gunned down on his driveway by a killer on a motorbike who leaves no clues behind, the police are mystified. It soon becomes apparent that Cameron led a secretive and complicated life, which the police have their work cut out trying to unravel and, as the FLO, Beth gets involved with supporting those closest to him whilst they try to come to terms with the fact that they knew so little about Cameron’s life. At the same she is constantly vigilant of anything she feels needs to be reported back to the team. I can imagine its not an easy role – on the one hand you’re there to support and help but on the other you’re not entirely trusted by those you’re meant to be helping.
Beth was an engaging character, apart from a needy sister (who caused her one or two complications). She wasn’t perfect by any means, as the story shows, and her inexperience led to foolish decisions but she was conscientious and genuinely wanted to help. It was different to see the effects and aftermath of a crime more from the perspective of the victim’s families, rather than just from a normal investigation POV.
This is an intriguing crime story, with one surprise after another, leading to a tense and suspenseful conclusion. The Other Woman is a very strong start to a new series and I am looking forward to seeing more of Beth’s character in the next book (which has already been published as Presumed Guilty but is being republished in March 2020 with Aria as For Better, For Worse.)
My thanks to Vicky of Aria for the invitation to take part in the tour and for providing the review copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jane Isaac is married to a serving detective and they live in rural Northamptonshire, UK with their daughter and dogs. Jane’s debut novel, An Unfamiliar Murder, introduces DCI Helen Lavery and was nominated as best mystery in the ‘eFestival of Words Best of the Independent eBook awards 2013.’
The Truth Will Out, the second in the DCI Helen Lavery series, was nominated as ‘Thriller of the Month – April 2014’ by E-thriller.com and winner of ‘Noveltunity book club selection – May 2014’.
Jane’ s seventh novel, Presumed Guilty, is the second in the highly acclaimed DC Beth Chamberlain (Family Liaison Officer) series. The third DC Beth Chamberlain novel is scheduled for release in 2020.
Sign up to her book club at http://eepurl.com/1a2uT for book recommendations and details of new releases, events and giveaways.
Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Purchase Links: Amazon UK | Amazon.com
