This is the second in the DI Annie Delamere series and it is every bit as good as its predecessor, Small Mercies. If you like an engrossing police procedural where the bodies come thick and fast then this is really for you. When successful but controversial business woman Michelle Wentworth’s son, Justin, is beaten to death Annie Delamere is charged with leading the investigation. It is clear from the outset that, although Michelle wants to know who murdered her son, there are some aspects of her life that she would really rather not have examined. Delamere has only just commenced her enquiries when the body of trade union leader, Keith Chalmers, is dumped outside the gates of Michelle’s remote home. Then Sammy Nolan, an employee with a firm that Michelle has dealings with, is found murdered at his home and finally her lawyer, Peter Hardy, is bludgeoned to death by Michelle’s swimming pool. How are all these killings linked and what is the motive behind them? Amidst rumours of dodgy business deals, protests and strikes by workers in businesses connected to Wentworth, drug dealing and suspicious financial transactions; Delamere begins to uncover a number of suspects and some past affiliations which might connect all the victims. This is a fast paced, clever and gripping read. It explores the themes of money, power, revenge, the changing nature of trade unions and the treatment of workers on zero hour contracts. The characters are very authentic and the author avoids the danger of caricatures. Set during an Indian summer in the Peak District which adds to the febrile atmosphere of hunting for the killer this is a terrific novel with an ending that will raise your eyebrows. Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

DI Annie Delemare, along with her DS Zoe Everett are called to investigate when a call is received from Michelle Wentworth, regarding her son. When Annie and Zoe arrive, they find her son lying outside next to the cars, having been brutally beaten. The mother, and her attorney, don't seem to be bothered by the fact that her son has been murdered. Upon investigation, Annie and Zoe find that the mother was not a well-like business woman. Annie's gut feeling is telling her that not only is his mother being secretive about 'something' but that the mother maybe the true target. Another battered body is found on Wentworth's property ... they discover that this victim also has ties to Wentworth and a dispute along the lines of a possible strike. Many people are threatened with the loss of their jobs, benefits, etc., it's hard to know who to question, and to determine the exact motive. This is a well written police procedural with outstanding characters involved in this intricate plot. There are many suspects to follow ... all who have an interior motive to want to see Wentworth suffering. The action starts on the very first page and the suspense maintains a steady pace throughout. Although 2nd in the series, this is easily read as a stand alone, although I do recommend starting with the first book. There's a lot of backstory in the first book making the second book much more interesting. Many thanks to the author / Canelo / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.