Sara-Jayne Townsend is a published crime and horror writer and likes books in which someone dies horribly. She is founder and Chair Person of the T Party Writers’ Group. http://sarajaynetownsend.weebly.com/
Just because the most dangerous criminals in society are locked up doesn’t mean they stop committing crime.
In this debut novel, we are introduced to Kennedy Allardyce, who works as an Intelligence Analyst for the Scottish prison service at HMP Forth Valley. Returning to work after sick leave after a brutal attack – ignoring medical advice that recommends she stays off for several more weeks –Kennedy is desperate to find out the identity of the mysterious Scout, who was responsible for the attack on her. It soon becomes clear to Kennedy that there’s a corrupt officer within the prison service working with Scout – and she is determined to uncover them.
This is a gritty novel written by an author who works as a prison intelligence analyst in real life. The picture she paints is uncompromising and brutally realistic about life in prison: the hierarchy of prisoners; the violence; the constant presence of organised crime. A bit much for me, admittedly – this is not an environment in which I want to spend any time, even in a novel. However, the attention to detail is exceptionally well done, and the plot is intriguing.
Kennedy is a fearless and focused character, but her penchant for making poor decisions, especially when it comes to her love life, is a bit frustrating. However, it does mean she comes across as being realistic and flawed, and thus a character we can empathise with.
I also didn’t like the ending, which leaves the reader dangling – clearly opening the door for a sequel. This is a personal preference though– I prefer endings that tie up loose ends.
On the whole this is an author who writes well, and shows a lot of promise. Fans of prison dramas, and In The Line Of Duty, will find much to like in this debut thriller.
