I received a free ebook of this title, Bramard’s Case, from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

The summary of this book sounded really intriguing, a serial killer who targeted the policeman’s family, the crime going unsolved for years, the policeman living a life of “quiet desperation” basically waiting to die, and a series of clues in the form of letters.  Finally, one of the clues gives Corso a break.  He picks up the case pursuing the killer with new energy.  This is not fast paced or not even what I would call a thriller.  A great deal of the book is spent inside Corso’s head, which can be a monotonous place.

I really thought I would like this but I just didn’t connect with it or get drawn in to the story as I would expect to.  I found myself skimming rather than reading at times.  A disappointing read for me but it might work for someone else.

I read this because it was the book of the month at the Kindle English Mystery Club on Goodreads.

Manon Bradshaw is a 39 year old, desperately single police officer in Cambridgeshire.  We get glimpses of her desolate internet dating life intertwined with the opening of a VIP missing person case.  Edith, the missing woman, is a grad student, involved in a long term relationship with highly connected parents.  As the case slowly seems to be wending its way from a missing person case to a murder case, a body appears.  It is not Edith, but is it connected?  and if so how?  Connected to the 2nd body is a ten year old boy, that Manon cannot just forget about as she continues to uncover clues and look for connections.  The media bursts of news and commentary  lead to more tragedy as the case becomes more and more muddied.

Manon Bradshaw is a complex and intriguing character.  She represents the classic figure of the lonely, single,  middle aged woman, yearning for a companion, with a cynical dark view of the world.  She is submerged in her job and yet still finds her life lacking.  Her characters shows growth through the course of the novel.

I figured out part of the ending, but it didn’t mar my enjoyment of the novel.  A very intriguing, thrilling read.  I would recommend this novel to readers of British Police Procedurals.