When I popped this book into Storygraph, I was surprised to see that one of the adjectives used to describe it was ‘funny’. However, as I read this novel, I realised that, actually, there is some humour in this book; a dark humour, but almost a satire of how ‘the other half’ live – all woven into a great crime story.
I was kindly sent this book by a Bookstagram buddy and, when I saw that it had been chosen as Waterstones’ thriller novel of the month for October, I knew that it was time to pick it up and give it a read. And I was hooked by the tagline on the front: ‘You know how they live. This is how they die.’
I really enjoyed this book. As with all thrillers it is quite hard to write blog posts, as you do not want to give away any of the twists or the thrills. However, what I enjoyed about this book was the slightly cynical look, that almost became a satire of the rich/poor divide. How it may appear that some of those with privilege can sometimes manipulate the situation in order to achieve what they want while never considering the consequences of their actions or some of the devastation that they leave behind them.
Detective Caius Beauchamp was a great character and is someone that I would like to read more about in other books. Especially as you feel that the story leaves you with a desire to find out a little more about this man. And our villian Rupert Beauchamp (no relation but, sadly, historically these families were linked – with Rupert’s as lords and masters and Caius’ as far less…) is a very well-created enemy of the peace, but is also almost a caricature of ‘the other half’ and how they live.
There are some uncomfortable topics in this book, so please consider this before you read it, but as a rule this is a great thriller, and I hope we will see more from the pen of Charlotte Vassell.