PC Lucy Halliday Book 1
Louisa Scarr
About the book:
The signs are unmistakable. The dog halts, his nose up – nostrils quivering.
Every inch of him is poised. Moss has a scent.
When a hand is found in Gallows Wood, PC Lucy Halliday and her specialist search dog Moss must find the rest of the body. What they uncover is a killer’s dumping ground. Like every case since her husband’s mysterious disappearance, Lucy wonders if this one will bring her closer to the truth. Nico was a journalist with a reputation for getting buried in his work; Lucy is certain that this time he delved too deep.
With new DI Jack Ellis calling the shots, Lucy struggles to keep her professionalism intact. She can’t stay away from these murders – and a killer who may hold the answers she desperately wants. But with those at the very heart of the investigation withholding secrets of their own, can more brutal deaths be prevented?
My thoughts:
Louisa Scarr’s latest novel is an absolute triumph in the realm of police procedurals. From the very first page, Scarr pulls you into a gripping and intricately woven mystery, brimming with tension and unexpected twists. The story revolves around PC Lucy Halliday, a specialist dog handler whose beloved cadaver dog, Moss, adds a unique and endearing element to the investigation.
Lucy, demoted from Detective Inspector after a traumatic case and her husband’s mysterious disappearance, finds herself thrust into a chilling new case in Gallows Wood. Here, she teams up with DI Jack Ellis, a newcomer with secrets of his own. The chemistry between Lucy and Ellis, filled with complexity and subtle hints of trust and tension, drives the narrative forward. Their partnership, while fraught with personal and professional challenges, is a highlight of the novel.
Scarr’s writing is engaging and vividly captures the dynamics of organised crime and police corruption, making for a realistic and compelling read. The plot, set over a short period, is perfectly paced, with twists that keep you guessing until the very end. The inclusion of Moss, the cadaver dog, adds a fresh perspective to the police procedural genre, providing insight into the critical role of canine units in investigations.
This book is a captivating start to a new detective series, and I eagerly anticipate the next installment. Scarr’s skillful storytelling and the well-developed characters make this a must-read for fans of the genre. If you enjoy police procedurals with a touch of originality and heartfelt storytelling, this book is a standout.
and more…
Louisa Scarr is a pen name for Sam Holland, more details can be found on Sam HollandBooks.com
Louisa Scarr has an online presence on Instagram and Threads
Sam Holland has an online presence on Instagram and Threads
I received my copy of this book in my very first delivery of the Crime Freaks Book Box (in August 2024) and I was very impressed. This is more than just a book in a box. The team behind this exciting subscription box find the perfect gifts to go along with the book chosen each month and then tell the reader when to open the gifts throughout the book… its so good!
You can find our more about Crime Freaks Book Box on Facebook and Instagram
All views expressed are my own. This review, or parts thereof, may also be published on my social medial channels – find me everywhere as momobookdiary – and book websites, such as Amazon, Goodreads, LoveReading, StoryGraph, and Waterstones. All links are correct at the time of publication.
Tags: #LouisaScarr #GallowsWood #PoliceDogs #PoliceProcedural #Fiction #CrimeFreaksBookBox #CrimeBooks #FictionBooks #MoreThanBooks #SamHolland
MoMoBookDiary 