‘Forgotten Victim’ by Helen H. Durrant is the fourth book in the Detective Rachel King series that is set in and around Manchester.
DCI Rachel King and DS Elwyn Price are investigating a body sealed up in a tunnel under the floor of Shawcross Mill Ancoats, in Manchester. Two boys stumbled across it while trying to get away from someone. The injuries on the body point to murder, so Rachel and Elwyn get the case. The victim also had a St Christopher on a chain in his hands.
The Mill was originally a cotton mill and had been used as units for different firms to try to build from. Now it is derelict and empty. The owner of the mill, is Rachels first stop. A credit card is discovered in the victims pocket also, the card belongs to Rita Pearce who runs a pub, The Spinner’s Arms. She states she lost the card three years previously and has nothing else to say. Someone knows this victim and how they died, will Rachel get to the bottom of this?
At the same time, Rachel is carrying a secret of her own. She is pregnant and only Elwyn knows and she has to make her decisions sooner or later.
Another brilliant Helen Durrant book that grips you as always from the first page. I truly love this series, not just because it is Helen but I love the fact they are set in my home area. The fact I can visualise Ancoats so easily gives an extra interest. I really feel like I am part of the investigation. Rachel is a great character and I like how she isn’t perfect, she is real and her situation could happen to anyone. These are only part of the reasons why Helen Durrant is a go-to author for me. I would be here all day if I wrote it all down!
A highly recommended series that really keeps you interested and intrigued too.
Thank you to Joffe Books and Jill for the copy of the book for my review today.
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