I chose to read Cold in the Earth as a proud member of Rosie’s Book Review Team and received a copy from the author. This in no way alters my review.
Cold in the Earth is a murder mystery that takes place over decades. In Welsey in 1996, DI Malcolm Cannell is alerted to the fact a schoolgirl is missing. Her body sadly discovered only hours later. Through the investigation that follows, it is found that other girls have gone missing too. The investigations into their deaths were nowhere near as thorough as Cannell’s as a DCI Claypole pinned one on a local paedophile and another was explained away as a fall from a bridge.
In this instance, a suspect is found quickly, along with enough proof to bring charges. But neither the suspect nor his protective mother will divulge where the bodies are buried to put the desperate parents out of their misery.
Roll forward nearly three decades and Rosanna Quillan, an ex-police officer with some private investigator experience, is asked to look at the case again. The mother of one victim is dying, and the family is desperate for closure. Cannell is now retired, but this case is the one that haunts him still.
What follows is an excellently plotted unravelling of the cold case mystery. The ending is tidily executed to everyone’s satisfaction. There are moments of high drama along the way and a delightful twist that is particularly pleasing.
However, more importantly, for me anyway, is the writing. Beautifully descriptive, it flows flawlessly, drawing me fully into the story where it kept me gripped right to another bitter twist, right at the end. Oh, and there are a couple of maps that follow that are fun to pore over.
This is a fabulous novel that I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys excellently written books that tell a great tale.
Thank you Georgia.
You’re welcome, Rosie.