Time Of Death by Mark Billingham
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Tom Thorne is on holiday with his girlfriend, DS Helen Weeks, when two girls are abducted in Helen’s hometown in Warwickshire. When a body is discovered and a man is arrested, Helen recognizes the suspect’s wife as an old school friend, and reluctantly returns home for the first time in twenty-five years to lend her support.

As his partner faces up to a past she has tried desperately to forget and a media storm engulfs the town, Thorne becomes convinced that, despite overwhelming evidence of his guilt, the police have got the wrong man. There is still an extremely clever killer on the loose—and a missing girl who Thorne believes might still be alive . . .

While this book is well into the DI Tom Thorne series I was intrigued to find that it’s a little different to many of the previous books in that Thorne and his partner, Helen, have decided to go away for a brief holiday over Valentine’s Day. Despite their intentions for some rest and well-earned alone time together, only a day into their break and Helen abruptly changes plans. A second missing teenage girl in Helen’s hometown has the husband of her childhood best friend being arrested. Wanting to support her old friend – even though it’s been decades since they’ve seen each other – Helen with Thorne in tow enter the fray of both Helen’s past and the small community.

In some respects, this has all the hallmarks of what I’ve come to expect from a DI Thorne story – an uncomfortable plotline and gripping, modern and gritty writing. But this book felt somewhat fresh with the different setting and Thorne trying – as much as he can – to very much remain on the outside. Professional curiosity of course has him taking an interest in the case but unlike virtually every other book I’ve read in this series he’s not trying to horn his way in or step on toes. I found that delightful and refreshing to read and was pleased that in some ways his character is definitely learning from (at least a few) of his past mistakes. Also, it was quite different to read a bit more about Helen’s past. While her character is certainly more open in many respects than Thorne’s is, it quickly becomes clear there are plenty of things in her past she really doesn’t want to share or discuss. I found that interesting, and I thought the way the author wove Helen’s past into the plot was both skillful and believable.

Readers looking for a cozy mystery or an easy read absolutely won’t find that here. Much like the rest of the series this is a gritty, slightly hard book and while it’s an excellent series and one I greatly enjoy I can well understand that it won’t be every reader’s cup of tea. Readers looking for something different or a bit more noir should absolutely check this author and series out. I also feel this book can certainly be read by itself, especially since much of the team and regular characters aren’t present since Thorne isn’t in London on their home turf, so readers wanting a more recent book without starting at the beginning might find this a good place to dip a toe in.