HURT

This is the second of Brian McGilloway's DS Lucy Black novels. A few years since the last was released, however I have only recently found this author. However, there is more than enough reference to the events of the first book for the new reader to be quickly immersed in the harrowing events that Lucy has experienced, and which have shaped her character.

Black is an extremely committed and focused police officer, even if she does become too involved in her cases at times, but fulfilling the classic edict of all great detective fiction, has a rather unsettled personal life in the wake of a failed relationship.  What I perceived very quickly is that, for a change, the lead character is not held back by her personal life but immerses herself in an extremely emotive investigation where young, vulnerable girls in the care system are being procured for sex which results in a gruesome murder.

The description and realism of the story is shocking and for me stirred up a fair few emotions much the same as the lead character whose bewilderment at the disregard shown for these children puts her onto a single minded mission to get justice for them, putting her in danger.  There is a steady pace to the plot, building on the obvious danger that Lucy is in.

The last few chapters were nail biting and I really could not put the book down. This book kept me gripped to the end.  A good study of what unpleasant aspects lurk just below the surface of respectable society which will unsettle the reader but is highly recommended if only to bring light to what we as a society do with the “forgotten people” who find themselves in the care system.