An engrossing crime novel set in the fictional Lancashire town of Backley.

White has hit upon an interesting twist for his principal characters. Detective Constable Laura McGanity is living with crime reporter Jack Garrett, a relationship that readily lends itself to conflicts of interest. The characters are very well drawn and entirely plausible, and the plot was very soundly constructed.

They find themselves both working to find a murderer and a man who abducts young boys only to return them unharmed several day later.

I shall definitely look for more books by Neil White. ( )

Wow what a terrific book. Fast moving and really gripping stuff. I have never been so excited and tense as the story reached it's climax in the last few chapters. ( )

An engrossing crime novel set in the fictional Lancashire town of Backley. White has hit upon an interesting twist for his principal characters: Detective Contable Laura McGanity is living with crime reporter Jack Garrett, a relationship that readily lends itself to conflicts of interest.
The characters are very well drawn and entirely plausible, and the plot was very soundly constructed. There were even resonances with Arnold Bennett's "Clayhanger" with Harry Parsons being driven on by his memories of childhood struggles, if not in the workhouse then at least in a succession of old and ruthless hostels.
I shall definitely look for more books by Neil White. ( )

This was an interesting book, with a twist at the end. However, I do tend to prefer books that have a slightly clearer conclusion. A book for the conspiracy theorists among us. ( )