Death on the River (Tara Thorpe #2) by Clare Chase

Misadventure or murder?

In this second mystery featuring DC Tara Thorpe, she and Blake deal with "a group of self-serving and in some cases amoral individuals." The "Alcolytes" have lost their leader and mentor; Ralph Cairncross's body was found inside his classic Alfa Romeo submerged in the Forty Foot Drain. He was a controversial author who spent his time pushing his theories about the importantance of youth and the glory of dying young. At first written off as an accident -- Ralph was drunk driving -- Tara soon becomes convinced that there is more to it when the victim's sister insists that it was foul play. Since Tara is new to the team and because her boss, DS Wilkins is basically a jerk who doesn't really want the former journalist working under him, she starts looking into the situation on her own time at first. When another member of the Alcolytes dies under the guise of  "misadventure", Tara convinces DI Blake that this is more than coincidence. NO SPOILERS.

I really enjoyed this book as Tara uses her talents as a former investigative journalist in her new role as DC. Working under a difficult boss who doesn't want her to succeed and bashes her theories, she turns to Blake for support. The case becomes more complex as the author gives so many red herrings within the group of Alcolytes. Could one of them be committing murder, and why? Talk about a bunch of devious characters who admired Ralph Cairncross! His wife and daughter were not treated so well as he spent so much time with his little group of hero-worshippers. Could they be responsible for any of this? The team has its work cut out for them chasing down the Alcolytes and even as they firm up their theories, yet another of the members dies. Meanwhile, Wilkins stands firmly in his opinions frustrating Tara at every turn especially after an article appears in NOT NOW -- the old magazine that Tara used to write for before she quit and decided to become police.

There is so much going on within this very interesting and well-written book that kept me guessing about the entire case. I love the atmosphere created by the location, especially the snowy fens, as it gives the novel a bit of a gothic feel. The coldness of the winter, the isolation, the knowledge that someone sinister is lurking and watching combine to keep the reader enthralled. The devious characters and the ways in which they manage to avoid being totally truthful cause Tara and Blake some frustration and very late hours. The story builds to a great climax and gives a satisfying conclusion.

I'm really enjoying this series and can't wait for #3. It's a bit different to the gritty thrillers I typically read and a refreshing change up. Please continue to keep Blake an honorable man and avoid the romance trap! If you're thinking about picking this one up, be sure to read the first in the series before doing so as it provides so much about how Tara got to this point and who she is.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review.