‘Retribution’ by Heaton Wilson is the third book in a series to feature DCI Jane Birchfield. I have previously read ‘Whatever It Takes’ one of the earlier books and I was really pleased when this tour popped in my emails. I did hope this book would be just as good, if not better than ‘Whatever It Takes’, so I settled into Jane and her team’s next instalment.
DCI Jane Birchfield has been acting Chief Superintendant at her CID department in Manchester since her boss and mentors Charles Aston passed away. The Chief Constable has more or less assured Jane, the post should be a permanent one. After returning from holiday with her journalist partner Allan, things seem to be on the up. They have agreed to get married. Allan is offered a career boost and their relationship starts to suffer. This makes them wonder if they can survive as a couple this time. The changes aren’t just at home, work sees it’s a fair amount of changes too.
A case comes in, the hit and run death of a former soldier who was a decorated hero too. It seems suspicious, with no witnesses or anything left at the scene. Could this be murder disguised as an accident? As another suspicious accident happens quite soon after the first, the two detectives who are on the case DC Paul Rossiter, Ross to everyone in the station, and Lorry find a link between the two. This gives more possible targets and with a typically uncooperative British Army, not many suspects or much evidence. We see Jane and her team race against the clock before anyone else ends up dead.
Another skillfully written story with a plot that is full of suspense as we see Jane and the team do their utmost to find a motive and to weed out a killer before he strikes again. This is a case that isn’t as straightforward as it first appears to be. Heaton Wilson has perfectly placed the twists in this story which just increases the intrigue and the addictiveness of the book.
His characters are, again, excellent. An investigative team that are all written in a way that makes them so likeable. I loved returning to Jane’s life, personal and professional to catch up with her and everyone around her.
A book that I just couldn’t put down I was that intrigued with what would happen next. Such a thrilling and gripping book.
Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources and Heaton Wilson for the copy of the book.
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