Disturbing Ground by
Priscilla Masters
Priscilla Masters is best known for her series of police novels featuring Joanna Piercy,
but from time to time she produces taut 'medical mysteries' which make highly
effective use of her professional knowledge - Masters is a nurse and her husband a
GP - and her latest novel falls into this category. The protagonist is Dr Megan
Banesto, a member of a three-partner medical practice in Llancloudy (excellent
name!) in Welsh mining country. The atmosphere of life in South Wales, where
Masters grew up, is tellingly conveyed ('they loved funerals in the valleys') and is a
particular strength of this story.
The book opens with the killing of Bianca Rhys. Bianca was one of Megan's patients
and suffered from a mental disability. So why should someone want to kill her?
Megan finds herself drawn into a mystery as well as into a gradually developing
relationship with a policeman concerned with Bianca's case, Alun Williams.
Eventually she finds herself face to face with a killer in a disused mine and a gripping
climax ensues. This is another satisfying read from the pen of a deservedly acclaimed
author.
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