4 out of 4 stars
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The 11:05 Murders by Brian OHara is part of a series of detective novels set in the present time. This is his second installment of a series about Chief Investigator Jim Sheenan's Serious Crime Unit of the Strandon, England's Police Department. This novel follow the exploits of Officer Denise Stewart. She had uncovered a dirty cop in her previous precinct and she ends up helping the prosecuting barrister convict the veteran cop. Unfortunately this results in her being bullied and harassed by other cops in that office.
Stewart receives a promotion and a transfer to Sheenan's group, but she has a huge chip on her shoulders from all she had to go thru previously. Denise wants to make a new start and has to learn to trust the close knit team she is joining. All of the detectives pitch in to make her feel at home and after a few misunderstandings, Denise learns to let go of the past and to trust her new teammates.
Investigator Stewart gets her first case in her new post and it seems to be a simple murder case, but the case quickly becomes complicated due to a gory murder scene. The clues she finds lead to a multilevel conspiracy of crimes going back 12 years. You get to know each of the member of the team as they research and do surveillance on several wealthy and influential people in this small town. As each clue is uncovered a quote from the Shakespearian play Julius Caesar rings true. ["Oh what a fall was there!"] Then another murder happens with the same MO: same time of murder, same wounds and same disfigurement on the victim's body. Denise also has to deal with helping out an informant in a protective custody case, while trying to figure out her two love interests and then the author throws in a stalker. What ties all of this together? You won't be able to put this book down until you find the answer.
The author has filled this book with a plot that twists and turns as you grip the edge of your seat. At one point, I am compelled to laugh out loud when a neighbor tazes two officers on a stake out, then I am horrified that I laughed by the next line. How could I react that way? I'm a big fan of John Sandford and Jeffery Deaver and I get caught up in their books just like this one. I was very happy I selected this novel. O'Hara makes me feel like I have a desk in the crime unit and I need to be ready to go on my next assignment. If you like mysteries and getting caught up in solving them, you will love this book.
I want to give this novel a 4 out of 4 even though I found a few errors. I don't feel it takes away from the book in any manner. I'm adding Mr. O'Hara to my favorite detective list and believe me there are not many names on my list. Few measure up. I hope he brings back Denise Stewart and maybe gives her a partner. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
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The 11.05 Murders
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