A Quiet Kill (Forsyth and Hay Mysteries)

By Janet Brons

Rating: 4/5 Stairs

A Quiet Kill doesn’t waste any time and gets right down to the business of murder with it’s opening line.

It was Mary Kellick who first stumbled upon the grisly scene.

A murder has been committed at the Official Residence of the Canadian High Commissioner in London, England. Was the victim the target of someone inside or outside the High Commission’s walls?

I read a lot of detective novels, Scotland Yard books in particular. So what makes this story different?

Location

The most interesting piece of this book isn’t the mystery, but the jurisdiction issue. The murder occurs essentially on Canadian soil, but technically in London, England. Is this a case for Scotland Yard, or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)?

Partnerships

Due to the location issue, both Scotland Yard and the RCMP are dispatched to the scene. Of course there’s a power struggle – who should take the lead? In retrospect, I don’t think that was ever really resolved, instead both sides reluctantly decide to work together. Of course, that’s easier said than done.

Partnerships

In any investigation, having the right partnership can be what makes the detectives successful in cracking the case. That’s no exception with A Quiet Kill. Internally the teams have established partnerships with good working relationships. But now there’s a new mix. While Forsyth and Hay have the potential for a good working relationship, the rest of their teams are weary. Misunderstandings throughout the investigation don’t help.

Ms. Brons is good at explaining some things the reader may have questions on as well. For instance, why is it a High Commission instead of an Embassy? She has a character ask the very same question that I had.

Overall, these elements and the murder mystery itself combine together for an entertaining story. The ending leaves you hanging a bit on the Forysth/Hay relationship, ready to move into the next book to see the direction that the characters will be headed.

Thanks to TouchWood Editions for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.