Jo Bannister's newest mystery tackles abusive relationships
Other Countries
A British police procedural
by Jo Bannister
Severn House Publishers
General Fiction (Adult), Mystery & Thrillers
Pub Date 01 June 2017
Review
When it comes to couples in abusive relationships, people often ask how they got involved and why did they stay. The answers are never straightforward, as can be clearly seen in Other Countries.
The newest Gabriel Ash mystery is not a traditional murder case. Instead, it focuses on his friend, DC Hazel Best’s whirlwind romance with a celebrity historian. Hazel saves Oliver Ford when a young Arab attempts to firebomb him at a museum opening. The assumption is that it was a political attack. The reality is much more sinister in nature. As Oliver romances Hazel, taking her from country to country, Gabriel becomes suspicious, particularly when the young Arab opens up and suggests that Hazel is in danger. In order to protect his friend, Gabriel starts calling in old favors, but little does he realize how much damage Oliver Ford can do.
Other Countries is a compelling, extremely well written novel that shows how easily a woman can be seduced into a dangerous relationship, even one as strong and capable as DC Hazel Best. Although it isn’t a traditional mystery by any means, I highly recommend Jo Bannister’s newest novel, Other Countries.
5 / 5
I received a copy of Other Countries from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
--Crittermom
Description
Detective Constable Hazel Best’s latest assignment takes an unexpected turn in the compelling new Gabriel Ash mystery.
Returning to work after an extended leave of absence, DC Hazel Best’s first task is to shadow TV historian Oliver Ford, who has arrived in Norbold to open a new museum. What should have been a routine assignment takes a decidedly dramatic turn however when Hazel saves Ford from a murderous attack that would appear to be an act of jihad. But why would someone fly thousands of miles to firebomb an obscure little museum in a quiet English village? Hazel can’t help thinking there’s more to this case than meets the eye.
Meanwhile, Hazel’s friend Gabriel Ash and her lodger Saturday are growing increasingly uneasy at Hazel’s developing relationship with Oliver Ford. Though neither of them can guess the real danger that Hazel - and not only Hazel - faces, nor the direction from which it comes
