Cruel Justice

DI Lorne Simpkins had a romantic evening planned with her husband, but things weren’t going as planned.  She has been called out because a body has been discovered in the woods.  DS Pete Childs is also on his way to the scene. 

The body is that of a headless woman.  The right arm has also been removed.  Pathologist Jacques Arnaud is convinced that the body had been moved there from elsewhere.  He also thinks that the killing had occurred a month earlier.

The following day, Simpkins’ mentor, DCI Chalmers informs her that he is taking early retirement.  He admits to ill health as being the reason, but won’t give details.

Missing Persons provides the name of three women.  One is too young, and when they meet the sister of the third, Simpkins and Childs realise that they have their victim.  She had been 65 at the time of her death.  Why would someone brutally assault her and then kill her?

With DNA confirmation as to whom the victim was, Simpkins’ team begins their work of finding more out about her and looking for the killer.

That same morning, the team receives news that a sixteen year old girl has gone missing.

The next morning while talking to the sister of the older victim on the phone, Simpkins is shocked to her suddenly being attacked. She and Childs arrive to late to save her.  Why was she attacked?

Not long after this, the missing girl turns up, dead.  It would appear that the same killer has struck again.  Later, the head of the first victim is sent in a box to Simpkins.  Hours later the killer makes contact via phone to Simpkins; he has another victim.  When a second phone call comes through a short time later, Simpkins realises that there is more than one person involved.

To make matters worse, Simpkins is distressed when she meets her new DCI.  Sean Roberts and she have history.  How will things work out with him in charge and antagonist towards her?

M. A. Comley’s thriller is fast paced and full of action.  Simpkins is an independent minded investigator who bends the rules, that will inevitably get her into some kind of trouble.  A very good read.