Dead Man's Shoes by Marion ToddMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
I don't know how I missed the previous book in this series, especially when Marion Todd is (for me) such a recognisable name. Anyway, we are where we are (I think I bought it for 99p so I just need to read it), and this series is far more about police procedural than the private lives of the characters.
DI Clare Mackay is hauled into the big boss' office to hear some disturbing news, a serial killer based in the North of England who rapes and murders gay men by choking them with a chain of some description (nicknamed the Choker by the tabloids) is thought to be in the St Andrews area, or arriving soon, based on some intel gleaned from the Dark Web. Evidence from the previous murders suggests he might be a typical white van man, possibly a painter and decorator, who typically strikes on a Friday or Saturday night, but with nothing else to go on a low-key approach is critical to prevent him from getting spooked.
A young man's body is found by a dog walker in woodlands, the circumstances are similar enough that Clare's bosses are convinced its the work of the Choker, but Clare isn't convinced. Has the Choker changed his MO? Is there a copycat? Or is his murder a coincidence? The murder victim is the youngest son of a woman who runs a local nightclub, one which local support groups claim is dealing drugs. Could this be the start of a turf war?
This was excellent. Loved it. Not cosy but not gruesome. Enough leg work and bureaucracy and small details to make it feel 'real'.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
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