See Them Run by Marion Todd

This debut novel introduces Scottish Detective Inspector Clare Mackay, with nine more in the series so far. Clare is newly transferred from Glasgow to the seaside town of St. Andrews after a deadly takedown of a gunman she is now blamed for. The inquiry is still fresh, and his family wants her prosecuted.

Taking place over one week, the first victim was enticed out of a wedding reception by texts promising a hookup. Once outside, he was run down and backed over by a Land Rover; a card with the number 5 was left on his body. Clare and her staff begin the investigation with SOCO, fingerprints, interviews, CCTV, and cell phone records.

Their only clues: the victim's laptop was encrypted, and he disappeared every Thursday night. The second victim was a successful brewery owner, run down in his driveway with a card numbered 4 left behind. Number 3 is found alive, in a hospital-induced coma with both his legs crushed, but the next victim found with a number 2 card is another unknown. These were targeted attacks. All these men have in common is where they went every Thursday night, and encrypted laptops tech support is trying to crack. Once we move into the dark web, it's not hard to see where this is going. Clare's lover Tom, whom she left behind in Glasgow, persuades her to return, and in between methodical teamwork, she is hounded by her boss DCI Gibson who naturally thinks she is not qualified and wants her off the case. She is going to prove him wrong.

This is a crime thriller, heavy on the investigation, appealing to fans of Vera or Prime Suspect. It entertained, and nothing disrupted the flow, but it did not have that invisible spark to make it stand out. Clare is competent, her team dedicated, and this is a satisfying read. A solid investigation, just not much new here.

I will certainly try the next in the series.

2020 / Tradeback / 352 pages