Blue Murder: Cry Me a River by
Cath Staincliffe
hbk out August 04
Published by Allison Busby
at £18.99
This book has an unorthodox history. It began life as a novel called 'Cry Me a River'
but - unusually - attracted the interest of television moguls before it found a
publisher. As a result, Cath Staincliffe found herself being asked to adapt the story
into a screenplay, with Caroline Quentin taking the part of DCI Janine Lewis, before
turning it back into the present volume. The author acknowledges that, in
consequence, 'many people helped shape this story', but it remains very definitely a
Cath Staincliffe book - not least because she has cornered the market in doughty
female lead characters who combine detective work with demanding domestic
obligations. Janine is perhaps a shade tougher than Staincliffe's regular p.i. character
Sal Kilkenny, but they are both cut from the same sturdy Mancunian cloth. Here
Janine investigates the killing of Matthew Tulley at his allotment, but as always with
Staincliffe it is the precise and detailed delineation of contemporary family
relationships that is of prime interest. The TV show was a ratings success, so return
appearances from Janine are guaranteed.
(
Martin Edwards
- author of the highly acclaimed Harry Devlin Mysteries)
Blue Murder: Cry Me a River by
Cath Staincliffe
