Released on September 12, 2015
Pages: 257
Format: eARC
Source: Author
Being back on the case with Patrick Shea is an absolute treat for my mystery-loving senses. This is the fifth book in the series and I enjoy how each one presents a new case, but continues the series arc threads of Patrick’s personal life and goings on with his career. I confess that many times it is all the personal interactions and relationships that Patrick forms which engage me the most, but watching him put his detecting skills to work is no hardship either.
In this latest installment, Patrick and the rest of DCI Boyles’ Murder Investigation Team was working on the murder of a young university girl, but soon gets pulled off that case to get reassigned to a Jane Doe homicide in the city. The team has also been made aware that something strange is going on at the Hampton Station where they are all getting reassigned. The upheaval has shaken up many not the least of which is Patrick who tries to focus on the new case while figuring out what is going on internally with the police.
Patrick gets a further shake up when the woman he still thinks on years later returns into his life. He accused her of aiding a murderer and they parted with bitter disappointment. But dare he hope that he stands a second chance with Maureen? And if he does, will she ever tolerate a relationship with a police detective who puts in sometimes long and unusual hours and can be exposed to danger?
Patrick along with Tommy, Karen, and the rest of the investigative team slowly and steadily track down all the clues that wind their shocking, twisting, and dangerous way to a solution.
The story can get exciting and tense, but for the most part, the detecting is the gently-paced police procedural type. The plot was interesting and as I mentioned before is a blend of the case to be solved and development of Patrick’s own story.
Pacing had some sloggish moments, but all in all, it was steady. As an American reader who has never traveled to London, heard much about the crime going on there, or learned much about the infrastructure and politics of the British police force, the digression into explanations and descriptions throughout had great appeal.
The mystery was interesting and definitely engaging. It was not a complex ‘whodunnit’ so much as the complexity was in having the burden of proof and how Patrick and his team went about finding it. The answers weren’t easy or immediate; just that gathering the clues was along methodical lines more than intuitive ones for the detectives.
Most of the characters were familiar from the series. I love spending time with Patrick and his son, Josh. Josh is getting older and Patrick covets the time he gets with his son. He does his best even though Josh doesn’t live with him and he makes Josh a priority. The investigative team that Patrick is on are the people he spends the most time with. Tommy Boyle, Patrick’s mentor and the lead on their team is probably my favorite character after Patrick. The author writes her characters as ordinary types with strengths and flaws. They have triumphs and disappointments both. As a result, they are complex and three dimensional.
Patrick’s time with Maureen had the potential to be angsty and drama-filled after what went down between them before, but both time and their dispositions had them acting like mature adults willing to talk through things and be willing to let the past go. Patrick is such a guy and it was funny how he tried hard after their first date to negotiate a sleep over even after agreeing to take it slow. I loved where things went after waiting for their chance at reunion through several books.
All in all, this gently paced story was another enjoyable read in the series. I would recommend these to those who enjoy arm-chair cozies, police procedurals, and light romantic suspense in settings and situations that are authentic and sometimes gritty.
My thanks to the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
And I have a little something different to go with my review. The author, Mary Lydon Simonsen, helped me out when I expressed a curiosity to know more about Patrick Shea, her dashing British detective to share him with our Delighted Readers. This is Jamie Bamber, her inspiration for Patrick and a brief bio of Patrick’s life. Enjoy!
But wait……There’s more!
The generous Mary also comes bearing a GIVEAWAY. Mary is offering up an e-copy of Murder by Moonlighting to TWO winners. To enter, simply leave a comment. Int’l entries are welcome. Comment on my review, Patrick’s bio, leave Mary some love or a question, or share who your favorite book detective is.
Biography of Patrick Shea
Born: 1974 – Kilburn, London, UK – One of six children
Education: City University, London – Criminal Law
Metropolitan Police Academy – Hendon, England
Divorced – One son, Josh – born 1997
Hobbies: Football, drums, running
Served in uniform and as a detective constable at two London police stations before being promoted to detective sergeant. Transferred to a Scotland Yard Murder Investigation Team under the supervision of Detective Chief Inspector Tommy Boyle and Superintendent Anita Lawrence. Recently promoted to detective inspector and transferred back to Hampden to a Criminal Investigation Department.
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Great post. My husband is retired from law enforcement. When we were in London we tried to go to the museum but could not arrange it. Bummer. HAve you been?
When I was in London, I was with my adult daughter, and let’s say, her interests were a lot different than mind (think Oxford Street), but I will go back and, hopefully, see the museum.
Thank you, Sophia Rose, for the lovely review. I look forward to hearing from your readers.
Always a true please, Mary! Patrick is one of my book BFs.
Mary, I enjoy your work. I read your Darcy Bitten prequel and reread the others in the series this week. Love this detective series as well. Cannot wait to read it.
Thanks, Patricia, for stopping by. It’s always great to see JA fans.
Even a pic, nice 😉
Are you talking about Jamie Bamber? B/c I think he’s so cute! Too young for me, but I wouldn’t mind him as a son-in-law. 🙂
I haven’t read this author so thanks for letting us know about this book and author.
Thanks, Mary, for commenting.
Wow your blog design looks different! I do like it, although I was a bit confused for a second as I usually recognize your site thanks to the banner. I also like these type of series where every book has a new story arc, but also an overarching plot about the main character and their personal life. It sounds like this author writes great realistic characters with flaws and strenghts. Great Review!
I agree, Lola. Great review. I’m always thrilled when Sophia Rose reviews one of my books.
Sorry Lola, we have been having problems so I am trying a new theme
I am sorry to hear that! Picking a theme for your blog is one of the most difficult things. Which theme did you use first?
wow almost did not recognize the blog! it looks cute and different!. Great review. I can see that the other focuses greatly on character development
Thanks Lily! We are experiencing a lot of problems lately and I am trying a new theme to see if it fixes it.
Yes, the character of Patrick makes these stories, but the mysteries are fun, too.
It is interesting when you read a “foreign” book written by a “foreigner”. I put it in quotes because I feel such as asshat for saying that, but what I’m trying to say is it’s definitely a different flavor.
Like Stieg L,’s Millenium Trilogy. Aside from the landscape being different, the procedural part of that series was new to me as well. So I struggled a bit, but it was great overall, similar to your feelings with this book.
I always think it is brave when ‘foreigners’ write about a setting and characters in another country and seem to get it right ( I say seemed b/c as a foreigner myself I can only go on what I’ve seen on TV and read). The procedural stuff is a large part of the mystery solving and does sort of take getting used to, but I cut my teeth on Agatha Christie and her writing was a lot like that. I still need to read Stieg’s trio.
I try to keep the “procedural” stuff to a minimum, but it does give you an idea of what any modern police force faces in trying to arrest the bad guys and having a successful prosecution. And once you’re a detective, you no longer qualify for overtime. You can just imagine what it does to their homelife!
I’ve not tried this series or author. It looks like a great series. Great review.
Oh, and I love the new design. It is very clean.
Thanks for the compliments, Melanie. Shari does all that cool stuff.
I love this series and its great to have the opportunity to introduce to other readers.
Aw how fun she added that in for you, Sophia 🙂 And always great visiting a series you enjoy so much. They do sound good!
It was fun. I asked if she had modeled Patrick after someone and she said yes. Then I thought it would be fun to do a bio and picture with the review and bless her, she went right along with it.
This is a new to me author and series, which I’m always on the lookout for. i’d love to read this. Thanks for the chance!
Always fun to find a new author to try. Good luck, Ellie!
Three’s A Crowd (.99 on Amazon) is an intro to the series. It’s a good way to find out if you are interested in my main character. Thanks for commenting.
Three’s A Crowd (.99 on Amazon) is an intro to the series. It’s a good way to find out if you are interested in my main character. Thanks for commenting.
I like that it is both about the case and the man. I enjoy crime novels so you’ve piqued my curiosity.
Thank you. Sophia is so good at presenting the highlights of a book.
Oh good, Kimberly! These don’t get too dark, but the mysteries are pretty good.
I love Mary’s books and have had fun with her mystery series. (Patrick Shea and Austen combo was particularly fun) I look forward to the next adventure in the detective’s life. I love the inspiration for him. I had pictured him very similarly. Great review! Congratulations Mary!
That is a dreamy inspiration for Patrick. Thanks for stopping by, Becky.
That is a dreamy inspiration for Patrick. Thanks for stopping by, Becky.