Today is day 1 of 4 in my Markham Mystery Blogs. Each day I will be sharing my review of the 4 books in the Detective Markham Mystery series which is being republished by Joffe Books.
CRIME IN THE CHOIR
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A FIERCELY ADDICTIVE CRIME THRILLER WITH BEAUTIFULLY DRAWN CHARACTERS
Discover a nail-biting new series.
Please note this book was first published as “A Walking Shadow”
Two skeletons are discovered in the grounds of St Mary’s Choir School. This was not a centuries-old Christian burial. They are wearing modern-day clothes and there is evidence of foul play. Consecrated land has been sadistically violated.
Detective Inspector Gilbert Markham is a rising talent of the Bromgrove police force. He is on the trail of the murderer, when another life is brutally claimed. Who is the savage killer lurking in this innocent place?
DI Markham and his team are met with intense hostility when they step up their operation. Is this just local panic? Or are they about to stumble into a web of corruption which runs deeper than they could have ever anticipated?
DI MARKHAM FACES A RACE AGAINST TIME TO SAVE HIS GIRLFRIEND FROM BEING THE NEXT VICTIM.
My Review
This is book 1 in the Markham mystery series. 20 years earlier 3 boys went missing and Mike Bamber was working the case. Only one body was found and nobody was charged with the crime. 20 years later Mike Bamber has retired with the case of the missing boys continuing to haunt him – the one that got away.
Olivia is a teacher and is contacted by St Marys Choir School with the offer of a job. The school is based in an old building next to the Cathedral. Work is being carried out around the Cathedral and the bodies of 2 boys are found. DI Markham and DS Noakes are handed the case. Markham is in a relationship with Olivia but keeps it quiet to prevent being taken off the case.
It soon becomes clear that Mike’s cold case has reared its head. Can Markham succeed where Mike failed? What exactly is going on at the Choir School? I had to keep turning the pages to find the answers.
I love Noakes he is big, brash and honest but underneath that lies a very compassionate man who is able to connect to people on many levels. Markham is a bit more reserved but still a realistic well built character.
It is clear from the beginning that the dead children have brought back memories he has kept well hidden. This makes him more determined to solve the case. He and Noakes are a very effective team and Markham has deflected all attempts to split up their partnership.
This is a bit slow going in the early part as the scene is set and the characters develop but it still holds the readers interest as the intrigue builds.
I am looking forward to reading book 2.
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