Missing, Presumed by Susie Steiner – a subtle and different take on the police procedural.
The fourth post in the 26-books-in-52-weeks challenge has to be about a book published within the last year. Of course, I’ve already reviewed several excellent books from this category as part of my usual book posts here. But rather than ‘cheating’ with a repost of one of them, I’ve gone with the next one in my to-be-reviewed queue.
So book number four is Missing, Presumed by Susie Steiner.
This is a crime fiction novel and it’s a subtle and different take on the police procedural.
The refreshing thing about this book was it surprised me and the surprise was a pleasant one.
Regular readers of the blog will know I enjoy crime fiction, but not where the format is lazy, formulaic or dependent on stereotypes. Missing, Presumed avoided all that.
Yes, it had a police search for a missing young female at its centre. Yes, it had a troubled, unconventional, boundary-pushing cop who was under pressure to find her fast. Yes, there was a shoal of red herrings and all served with the required twist.
But Steiner uses the conventional framework well. Her story building is excellent. Characters are not stereotypical – not the police, not the villains and not the victim. The subplots are clever, original and although there are surprises, it all remains credible.
I loved DS Manon Bradshaw. She’s a great addition to the hall of fictional detective fame. She’s richly drawn – flawed, warm, and dedicated
This is the best sort of page tuner – there’s real breadth, depth and substance to the story.
Susie Steiner is up there with Ian Rankin and Ann Cleeves and I can’t wait for her next book.
Type of read: It will draw you in and keep a tight hold. There’s plenty to gasp at and keep you hooked. And a pot of coffee to hand would be a good idea as you’ll be up way past bedtime reading this.
Back Cover Blurb:
72 HOURS TO FIND HER…
A MISSING GIRL Edith Hind is gone, leaving just her coat, a smear of blood and a half-open door.
A DESPERATE FAMILY Each of her friends and relatives has a version of the truth. But none quite adds up.
A DETECTIVE AT BREAKING POINT The press grows hungrier by the day. Can DS Manon Bradshaw fend them off, before a missing persons case becomes a murder investigation?
Missing, Presumed is published by The Borough Press and is available as a paperback, and ebook and an audio book.
I really enjoyed this too. Like you, I thought Manon was a great character.
She was, wasn’t she? Did you review the book? I suspect I heard of the book on your blog.
Yes I did last year sometime. 😊
I thought so! You and Linda Hill are mostly responsible for my TBR pile. 🙂
Sorry about that! 😂
Not a fiction choice this time, but instead theUS #1New York Times bestseller “Hillbilly Elegy” by JD Vance. Probably not of interest to everybody. A back cover blurb says, “An American classic, an extraordinary testimony to the brokenness of the white working class but also its strengths. It’s one of the best books I’ve ever read . . . the most important book of 2016. You cannot understand what’s happening now without first reading J.D. Vance.”