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Dec 17, 2016zipread rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
I've only recently discovered Anne Cleves. Her Shetland series has made the transition to the small screen: that was my first exposure to her writing. This novel gives is the bassis for her Vera Stanhope series, also transitioned to TV where both were the basis for 90 minute episodes. Harbour Street, which features an overweight, middle-aged copper who likes her occasional nip of the spirits to brighten her mood. Harbour Street is set an a rather seedy down and out street in the fishing town of Mardle. Definitely the town has seen better days and more fish. Margaret, an elegant and stylish sixty-something year old lives upstairs in the boarding house. She does good works in the community but she carries some secrets. On her way home from the city, two weeks before Christmas, riding the Metro in a jam-packed carriage full of Christmas shoppers, Margaret is stabbed to death. No one notices her death until the carriage finally empties of all its passengers. So who killed Margaret? Who would want to kill Margaret? And why? The novel answers these questions as best it can. Some of the characters Cleeves invents are unsavoury, other no so much. It seems there are many who might have an interest in making her disappear, especially as some of secrets surface. Cleeves doesn't give up the truth surface easily. And when the truth does finally appear it is not what we expected? Did I enjoy this book? Answer: I'm on the prowl for mor of Ann Cleeves.