May 1, 2020
Detectives Anderson and Costello are investigating the brutal stabbing of a tattoo artist when they receive orders to go to a tiny village in the Scottish Highlands. Their task: to support the local cops investigating the murder of two tourists in a remote holiday cottage. Anderson and Costello are less than thrilled, especially when they arrive in the middle of one of the Highlands' heaviest snowfalls and are billeted at a local bed-and-breakfast that lacks even rudimentary heating. The murder case is truly challenging?the two victims were discovered by a local cleaner, whose footprints are the only ones leading to and from the cottage. The cleaner claims he saw a snow sprite in a golden light at the scene. Discounting this strange explanation, Anderson and Costello realize they have their work cut out for them. But they have many more surprises in store, in what turns out to be one of the most bizarre cases they have ever tackled. Solid writing, a multifaceted plot, complex characters, and plenty of suspense make this a good pick for fans of British procedurals.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)
September 1, 2018
Readers unfamiliar with The Suffering of Strangers (2018), the previous installment in Ramsay's excellent series, may initially find references to events that happened in that book confusing, but if they stick with the story, they'll find that Ramsay has once again produced a chilling, can't-put-it-down read. Policewoman Costello found the bloodied bodies of Abigail Haggerty and her teenage son, Malcolm, both of whom Costello had been trying to rescue from husband and father George, who she was convinced was going to kill them. But to Costello's frustration, Haggerty had an iron-clad alibi for the time his family died. Costello is positive George is the killer, but her superiors think she should drop the case. So sure is she of George's guilt that she goes AWOL to uncover the truth. More deaths follow as Costello continues to dig. Help comes from an unexpected quarter?Abigail Haggerty's alcoholic sister, Valerie?just in time to save Costello. Another suspenseful read in a consistently gripping series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)