This three book set is an excellent way to get started with the Midlands Crime Thriller Series. I’ve read all three books and Sally Rigby has kept up her great narrative style in procedural police dramas with just the right balance of suspense, twists and turns, and character development.
In the first story, “Web of Lies”, police officer Sebastian Clifford has retired but is reluctantly drawn into investigating the death of his cousin Sarah’s husband Donald Witherspoon. He was a financier who had stolen millions of pounds from unsuspecting investors in a Ponzi scheme. She disputes the suicide verdict. Both Sebastian Clifford and DC Lucinda "Birdie" Bird, the other main character, are likable.
The story itself is interesting with several twists and turns keeping the reader both interested and guessing as to who the killer is. I like Sally Rigby’s writing style.Though I said there are twists and turns, they are not convoluted. She has a good balance of character and scene development to story progression.
“Speak No Evil” is the second novel. Seb has opened a private investigation firm. Birdie hasn't heard from Seb in a few months but seeks his help with a case involving an abandoned child whom her aunt is fostering. She continues her wise-cracking ways. “Speak No Evil” kept me interested the whole time. I had trouble putting it down to do anything else. I enjoyed the banter between Birdie and Seb. I liked the way Sally continues to develop their characters. The side story with Seb's family was interesting without taking too much time out of the main story. The surprise twist near the end was a satisfying conclusion to the case without feeling contrived.
There are multiple subplots going on in “Never Too Late”, the third novel, but as in all Sally Rigby novels, the reader does not get lost in twists and turns. There is the cold case regarding Whitney’s brother Rob who had been viciously attached 25 years ago, now being investigated by Seb and Whitney. There is a new investigation into possible gun running by a person who appears to be a stand-up businessman and philanthropist. Birdie and Twiggy are part of the team looking into that situation. Meanwhile Birdie is still trying to find her birth mother and has yet to decide on whether to continue as a police officer or to join Seb’s private investigation firm. Another thread is Twiggy’s strange behavior. At first it appears to just be an over-manifestation of his dislike for Seb. But it turns out to be more. Another great novel in the series that should not be missed!
BritGirl
Liz