Review of The Devil's in the Daughter
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Lisa M Murray
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Review of The Devil's in the Daughter
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Devil's in the Daughter" by Melvin P. Tiley.]
Freya Jarvis has spent the last twenty years believing that her father, Nigel, died by suicide. After the sudden death of her mother, Freya learns that there is evidence that her father, in fact, may have been murdered. Armed with this information and an unexpected inheritance, Freya resigns from her teaching position in Sweden, and heads to England, where her father was born, where his company was located, and where he died.
As Freya settles into her new life in England and reconnects with old friends of her parents, we meet Detective Inspector Dawson and PC Jiera Patel who will eventually re-open the investigation into the death of Nigel Jarvis.
Dawson is renowned for his ability to solve cases and, early on, he is promoted to lead a newly formed cold case team. His detailed observations and deductive reasoning skills allow him to hone in on murder suspect(s) early on. Patel is a rookie cop/detective eager to prove herself and to solve a case. Her inquisitiveness and intellect complement Dawson old gumshoe knowhow and they make a good team — a modern day Sherlock Holmes & Watson, if you will.
Throughout the story we are introduced to colorful characters. The other eclectic members of the cold case team provide comic relief and each their own unique skills that help with solving the case. Other characters, like an English teacher at a London secondary school, Nigel’s business partners and friends, and a young playwright add to the story and to the intrigue. Who are they, and what do they have to do with Nigel’s death?
That is, in fact, the beauty of this novel. These other characters are introduced by the author not as suspects, but as people going about their regular lives. We do get a sense that some of these characters know more about Nigel’s death than they are letting on, but that isn’t always the case. The author weaves stories of love, friendship, and grief throughout the narrative and the reader is kept guessing.
I give this book a 4 out of 5. There is so much that works with this book and it keeps the reader engaged throughout. The characters are diverse and we learn just enough about their lives to care (or not). The novel is based in the UK, so there are British terms and slang used but not enough to confuse a non-Brit and take away from the story. There is some mild cursing but not enough to necessitate a warning.
I only have a few quibbles about this book. First of all, the title doesn't seem to fit. Yes, the outspoken Freya is referred to as a "devil" by other characters but it doesn't seem to be enough to warrant the name of the book. Also, coupled with the cover art, the title gives one the impression that the story will be much darker than it is and may dissuade potential readers.
Also, we don't learn enough about Dawson and Patel that would indicate that this book is the first in a series about them. In fact, Dawson and Patel almost come across as secondary characters in the book. We find out what happens to everyone else at the end of the book and there is even an epilogue that provides a glimpse of Freya's life in the future. But, sadly, there is no final scene with the two detectives that would indicate that we will ever see them again. I hope that, in the next installment, we get to spend more time with Dawson and Patel.
******
The Devil's in the Daughter
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Freya Jarvis has spent the last twenty years believing that her father, Nigel, died by suicide. After the sudden death of her mother, Freya learns that there is evidence that her father, in fact, may have been murdered. Armed with this information and an unexpected inheritance, Freya resigns from her teaching position in Sweden, and heads to England, where her father was born, where his company was located, and where he died.
As Freya settles into her new life in England and reconnects with old friends of her parents, we meet Detective Inspector Dawson and PC Jiera Patel who will eventually re-open the investigation into the death of Nigel Jarvis.
Dawson is renowned for his ability to solve cases and, early on, he is promoted to lead a newly formed cold case team. His detailed observations and deductive reasoning skills allow him to hone in on murder suspect(s) early on. Patel is a rookie cop/detective eager to prove herself and to solve a case. Her inquisitiveness and intellect complement Dawson old gumshoe knowhow and they make a good team — a modern day Sherlock Holmes & Watson, if you will.
Throughout the story we are introduced to colorful characters. The other eclectic members of the cold case team provide comic relief and each their own unique skills that help with solving the case. Other characters, like an English teacher at a London secondary school, Nigel’s business partners and friends, and a young playwright add to the story and to the intrigue. Who are they, and what do they have to do with Nigel’s death?
That is, in fact, the beauty of this novel. These other characters are introduced by the author not as suspects, but as people going about their regular lives. We do get a sense that some of these characters know more about Nigel’s death than they are letting on, but that isn’t always the case. The author weaves stories of love, friendship, and grief throughout the narrative and the reader is kept guessing.
I give this book a 4 out of 5. There is so much that works with this book and it keeps the reader engaged throughout. The characters are diverse and we learn just enough about their lives to care (or not). The novel is based in the UK, so there are British terms and slang used but not enough to confuse a non-Brit and take away from the story. There is some mild cursing but not enough to necessitate a warning.
I only have a few quibbles about this book. First of all, the title doesn't seem to fit. Yes, the outspoken Freya is referred to as a "devil" by other characters but it doesn't seem to be enough to warrant the name of the book. Also, coupled with the cover art, the title gives one the impression that the story will be much darker than it is and may dissuade potential readers.
Also, we don't learn enough about Dawson and Patel that would indicate that this book is the first in a series about them. In fact, Dawson and Patel almost come across as secondary characters in the book. We find out what happens to everyone else at the end of the book and there is even an epilogue that provides a glimpse of Freya's life in the future. But, sadly, there is no final scene with the two detectives that would indicate that we will ever see them again. I hope that, in the next installment, we get to spend more time with Dawson and Patel.
******
The Devil's in the Daughter
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: The Freedom Building by Martin Kendall
