Despite its flaws Quick and The Dead is an entertaining mystery
Quick and The Dead: A contemporary British mystery by Susan Moody Severn House Mystery & Thrillers Pub Date: May 1, 2016 Review On the whole, Quick and the Dead is an entertaining mystery, but it is not without weaknesses. Alexandra Quick, the central character is supposedly a former DI. Yet for a former DI, Alex seems to have little knowledge of how to conduct an investigation. She behaves more like an amateur than a seasoned professional. It is almost as if her past as a DI was added at the last moment to explain her ability to get information about ongoing investigations. If you have no problem setting this minor irritation aside, the novel is easy to enjoy. Alex Quick and her business partner, Dr Helena Drummond compose books that center around famous works of art. When Helena fails to show up for an important meeting, Alex goes to her home. There she discovers the mutilated body of an unknown woman. As Helena is missing, the police consider her a suspect. Alex doesn't believe Helena is capable of murder and begins her own investigation. The more she searches, the more she realizes how little she knows about her friend. A combination of sheer persistence and luck brings her closer to the truth, but will she be in time to save Helena? Small inconsistencies and minor flaws mar an otherwise well written novel. As it is the first in a new series, my natural inclination is to be forgiving and wait to see how the second installment pans out. 3.5/5 Quick and The Dead is available for preorder and will be released May 1, 2016. I received a copy of Quick and The Dead from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review. --Crittermom Description Introducing outspoken female sleuth Alex Quick in the first of a brand-new mystery series When her business partner, acclaimed art historian and university professor Dr Helena Drummond, disappears, Alexandra Quick is consumed by guilt. Shortly before she vanished, Helena had complained of being menaced by a stalker, and Alex had dismissed her fears as groundless. Now Alex, a former police detective, is determined to use her finely-honed investigative skills to find out what’s happened to her friend and colleague. But the more she uncovers, the more Alex realizes how little she really knew Dr Helena Drummond. As it becomes increasingly clear that the woman she thought she knew so well has been keeping a great many secrets from her, Alex must decide: is Helena a victim … or is she a killer?
