Publication Date: July 2016 (TBC) from Simon and Schuster.
Source: Netgalley
Sam Bryne is on course to be elected as one of the youngest MPs in Westminster. He’s tipped for the very top … until he vanishes.
Detectives Murphy and Rossi are tasked with discovering what has happened to the popular politician – and in doing so, they unearth a trail that stretches into the past, and crimes that someone is hell-bent on avenging.
Never let it be said I don’t know a good thing when I see it in the book world (Oh ssh sometimes it can be all about me when its all about the books ) and when I read Dead Gone a few years ago I’m fairly sure I said clearly here was an author to watch in ye olde crime fiction stakes. Then came The Dying Place, a very different vibe from the serial killer thriller that came before it, slightly more brilliant if anything and socially relevant. Then of course Bloodstream which again upped the ante considerably and played around with the perception that if you read one book in a crime series you’ve probably read them all. Not so in the case of Luca Veste who can evoke a different emotional response each time by basically doing what the blinking heck he likes and to hell with the genre specific cliches.
Then She Was Gone is his best yet, I say that firmly and with conviction. It is one of those crime novels that has many levels, it is a multi faceted tale that has several strong storylines all mixed up into a glorious addictive gem of a read as you go on a journey with Murphy and Rossi to untangle that web of deception and find the truth underneath it all. They ain’t going to have it easy, this author enjoys putting his characters through the wringer as much as he enjoys putting the reader through the wringer. Or perhaps he just does it without much thought in which case STOP IT. Actually never stop it because its damned fine storytelling. Not sure where the inspiration for this one came from but he has risen above “damn fine” headed onto “really excellent” then ended up with “Then She Was Gone” at somewhere approaching “Unforgettable”.
There is a level of crime and violence in all of the books that has a particular resonance (and if you are looking for pretty blond victims all girly and helpless that a nasty man will come along and dispose of when you look for a crime novel you need to go elsewhere plus possibly seek therapy) because Luca has a peculiarly insightful psychological depth to all his villains and the violent acts he explores are anchored firmly in authentic realism. One that plays with the emotional core of human nature and just pulls you into the vortex of darker worlds. There is a particular theme in this book, a group dynamic that absolutely happens in the real world, I won’t spoil things but it particularly fascinated me.
Overall yes to this one. Lots of yes. Capital YES. Coming into his own, heading towards a body of work that will endure, if you were not watching Luca Veste before then I would suggest you start now. And you already fans – you are in for a treat. And a fair bit of trauma.
Highly Recommended. With bells on.
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Happy Reading Folks.
