Fingers crossed we haven’t seen the last of DI Hannah Robbins, who leads the Nottingham-based East Midlands Special Operations Unit, investigating serious crimes across county borders.

Because, though she’s definitely a flawed cop, struggling to accept the new recruit who’s stepped into the shoes of a young protégé killed in the line of duty, she’s also a meticulous and dedicated one.

And it would be a pity if Fighting Monsters by Rebecca Bradley, billed as the last in the Hannah Robbins trilogy, is the final outing for Hannah and her team.

Why?

It’s that word ‘meticulous’ – as a retired police detective, Bradley brings insight and insider knowledge to the hunt for the monsters of the title.

It’s a steady drip-drip that adds authority – little details like the crime scene conversation between Hannah and the pathologist examining the body of gangland boss Simon Talbot, who’s just been shot in the head.

Here’s what the blurb says:

Twenty four hours after he walked away from court a free man, cop killer and gang leader Simon Talbot is found murdered. In his possession: the name of a protected witness from his trial.

For DI Hannah Robbins, it’s a race against time to find Talbot’s killer, and locate the bystander before it’s too late.

But as Hannah delves deeper into the past, she begins to question the integrity of the whole operation.

Where do you turn when you can’t trust the police?

We need to tent the vehicle, says Hannah. Her colleague agrees especially as he’ll have to bag the victim’s head. ‘I don’t want to lose any particulates when we move him. And that never looks nice to the lay-person.’

Yes, of course, what’s left of the head needs to be protected – but it’s the first time I’ve ever come across a crime writer who spells things out in such detail.

And, for someone, like me, who always wants to know more about what happens behind the scenes, that’s what made Fighting Monsters monstrously enjoyable.

Review by Sue Featherstone.

 

Available to buy on Amazon.