Local Gone Missing - Fiona Barton

 Local Gone Missing - Fiona Barton

She read

Publication Date: June 14, 2022

After a romantic breakup and while on leave recovering from treatment for breast cancer,  Detective Elise King moves to Ebbing for the soothing properties of sea air.  She becomes caught up in the case of a missing local person and, after investigating as private individual, returns to service as head of the query.  

Told in alternating timelines, now and before, Barton accurately portrays  the claustrophobic, gossipy feel of life in a small village as well as the resentment felt when it is regularly invaded by weekenders.  There are many secrets in Ebbing;  this case unravels some of them.

This is a solid police procedural. Yes, there are quite a few characters introduced, and sometimes I had to pause for a second to think about and remember who each one was.  The plot is a bit intricate, but moves along at a good pace. 

I enjoy strong female characters and despite the remaining after effects of her cancer treatment, Elise is a likable, capable detective.  I also like the teamwork and caring evident between her and another female teammate, DS Caro Brennan.  I look forward to what I hope will be more books in this series.    

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkeley Publishing Group for the DRC.

****