Close To Home

The literary world already has a huge number of successful Detective series, but I believe DI Adam Fawley will find his place amongst those successes with this excellent debut novel from Cara Hunter, as 'Close to Home' has all the makings of a great series.

8 year old Daisy Mason has disappeared from her parents summer barbecue in Oxford; there were lots of guests - neighbours, school friends, their parents, but nobody saw a thing and therefore unable to help with police enquiries. But the one thing all police officers hate more than anything else, is a case involving a child, and DI Adam Fawley and his team will leave no stone unturned in their search for Daisy.

Suspicion naturally falls on those closest to her, and investigations reveal that this 'normal' everyday family is actually very dysfunctional. Mum Sharon, and Dad Barry, each have secrets they'd rather keep hidden from the outside world, while 10 year old Leo, (Daisy's brother) is reluctant to share what he knows with the police - and he clearly knows something.

As is the case today, thoughts and feelings about the family are displayed for the whole world to read on the big wide web. This is definitely trial by social media, with many of the posts making serious accusations without anything material with which to back up those accusations. This in turn, results in anger and threats of violence, and it becomes even more imperative that DI Fawley and his team discover the whereabouts of Daisy.

Nothing is as first appears in this investigation, but ( through flashbacks ) we gradually gain insight into this very complex family, and what led to Daisy's disappearance, though what actually happened to her isn't revealed until the very end of the book.

This was a page turner in every sense, the writing was crisp, the storyline was utterly gripping, and the characters (though not always likeable ) were completely believable. DI Fawley and his team worked tirelessly in their search for Daisy, and it was heart-warming to watch the results of their hard work and long hours unfold.

I don't think I've ever changed my mind so many times regarding who the perpetrator was - so congratulations to the author for keeping me guessing right until the end. I'm not sure the ending was quite believable, but having been utterly gripped throughout, I'm willing to go with it.

A brilliant start to a series that (I for one) will greet with huge anticipation.