Tangled Web UK Review December 2000
Darkness Peering by
Alice Blanchard
pbk out February 00
(Bantam)
at £9.99
Police Chief Nalen Storrow found the dead girl face up in the pond, a king
snake coiled in the muddy hollow of one arm. After years in the Boston
department he'd moved his family to Flowering Dogwood, Maine to escape from
such shocking violence and brutality. In the ensuing search for the girl's
killer his son Billy becomes one of the suspects. A horrifying possibility
that stretches Storrow to breaking point. But no-one is actually charged
with the murder. Eighteen years later Storrow's daughter Rachel has
followed him into the force. Determined to succeed in her chosen profession
she is also struggling with the aftermath of an affair with the local Police
Chief. She hears about the unsolved case but is not aware of her brothers
alleged involvement. No sooner does she reopen the investigation than
another young girl goes missing. Once again Billy is a suspect. Rachel is
torn between her professional duty and family loyalty. The psychopath she
is up against is cunning and merciless; playing a game with the police that
is rooted in the past and in the desire for retribution.
An excellent debut. Blanchard has a pithy style and is strong on
characterisation and suspense. Darkness Peering is an engrossing read,
creepy, complex and shocking.
Manchester Evening News 10.11.00
(
Cath Staincliffe
- Author of the highly acclaimed Sal Kilkenny Mysteries set on the Mean Streets of Manchester)
