Martin Edwards, Suspicious Minds

Suspicious Minds

Martin Edwards

Five Star, Jan 2006, $25.95

ISBN: 159414382X

In the Liverpool area, more because of Detective Bolis' interest in him as a prime suspect, Jack Stirrup of Stirrup Wines asks his solicitor Harry Devlin to learn what happened to his wife Alison, who vanished. Harry begins making inquiries as he tries to trace Alison's last known steps, though he wonders if his client simply disposed of an unwanted spouse. As he begins making progress, the investigation takes a bizarre spin when Claire, Jack's daughter from his first wife, also turns up missing.

At the same time, Harry looks into the Stirrup family; The Beast stalks Liverpool raping women. While Harry finds himself attracted to advocate Valerie Kaiwar whom he meets at the Law Courts, he ponders if there is a link between the missing Stirrup females and the Beast, as he starting to believe the rapist is somehow involved.

This is an interesting English investigative tale that stars a likable hero struggling with a case in which his client seems to be hiding things, the cops want him to stay out, the prime culprit appears to be a rapist, and worst of all he is in love. All of this and more blends nicely together into a delightful whodunit that will please those readers who enjoy the star to be of a skeptical suspicious mind, trusting no one including his heart.