DEATH'S DOOR

Death’s Door is the fourth book in the DI Shaw and DS Valentine series and this series is certainly worth digging into.

 This time around the story centres on a cold case that happened twenty-years ago.  A twenty –year old lifeguard is accompanied by 75 people on a ferry to an island off the Norfolk coast that can only be accessed by ticketed visitors.  At the time of the original investigation Shaw and his team were unable to identify the killer.  However, with the advances in DNA it was hoped that the murderer may have left some evidence that could be used.  As the original suspects are re-interviewed and DNA samples taken it appears that the cold case has links to a current case of suicide.

 The plot in Death’s Door is a nice reworking on the locked room mystery and Kelly has successfully interlaced past events together with a modern day predicament.  The conclusion is also as neat as one could expect.  Along with skilful plotting, sharply drawn characters and a great sense of place using the North Norfolk coast and villages Death’s Door is the best in the Valentine and Shaw series to date.  This is a police procedural that will no doubt endear itself to those who enjoy traditional mysteries.