4 out of 4 stars
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After Ariel by Diana Hockley is a book in the crime thriller genre. It is the third book by the author featuring Detective Inspector Susan Prescott.
With her parents away for the weekend and the house to herself, a chance meeting with a handsome stranger couldn’t have happened at a better time for Ariel. They decide to meet for dinner, but Ariel has something more fun planned for later. It all started as a game, but now, Detective Prescott has to investigate two murders, and it couldn’t be worse timing for her. Her husband’s abrupt departure on a dangerous assignment and the weight of the secret she couldn’t reveal to him has reduced her to a state of extreme anxiety. Anxiety is what Pamela, a classical flautist, feels before all her performances; but since her therapy, she has been able to get rid of the tag of ‘Puking Pam’ and is now ready to set the stage ablaze. However, a devastating accident reduces her triumph to ashes. Another disaster is just waiting to happen; will Susan stop the killer before he claims his third victim?
The author provides the reader with a quick glossary of Australian/British Slang in the beginning of the book itself, since the story is set in Brisbane. First off, I have to say that the psychological element in the book is the most impressive aspect of the plot, hands down. The author employs both first person and third person narrative, to delve into the psyche of the characters and completely involves the reader in their turbulent emotions. It is difficult not to sympathize with the ‘killer’ in this story, since the killer is also the main victim in this piece. The author’s writing is so persuasive that the reader will find it difficult to decide whether the killer’s actions were calculating or desperate.
The author’s portrayal of the emotional upheavals in the lives of her characters is quite impressive, for instance, Susan’s vulnerability in her new marriage is exposed, when she sees her present husband standing with suitcases, and thinks he is going to dump her like her ex-husband. Not just human characters, but the dogs, cats and rats also have their share in the story. The plot is a puzzle, since I kept backtracking on my guesses because the author tactfully introduced new psychological dimensions and plot developments. The author’s rich yet not excessively descriptive writing makes the story play out like a movie in the reader’s mind.
The excellent writing coupled with complex characterization will appeal to avid readers of crime fiction, especially those who appreciate a psychological angle in the plot. I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars.
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After Ariel
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