Lin Le Versha is a writer not to be missed, the brilliant new talent on the British crime writing scene. Each dark murder mystery in her fabulous crime series will keep you guessing until the very end when the final shocking twist is revealed. If you love Rachel McLean's Dorset Crime series and Ann Cleeves's Shetland series, then you are going to adore Lin Le Versha.
Summer 1989
Their post-show party stretched into the early hours. As the flames of their beach fire danced, the young cast and crew of a brilliant production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream all hope they’ll be propelled to fame and theatrical fortune. But jealousy and betrayal simmer behind their smiles …
Summer 2019
Former police officer Steph Grant is a reluctant volunteer. Stage-managing the new production of Brecht’s Mother Courage within the ruins of Covehithe Church in Suffolk is not her idea of fun, not when the director is the county’s resident drama queen, Beverly Elkin. But there is the excitement of the return of Hollywood and West End star, Jessica Marlowe, to her hometown to consider, thirty years after she made her name at the same venue.
Old jealousies never die
The production does not run smoothly. The show’s star and director can’t agree on anything. Jessica’s return stirs old memories too, sharpened when a body, hidden for thirty years, is exposed by a cliff fall. And Steph’s life is also turned upside down. Her partner, DCI Philip Hale, is acting oddly. He’s distant, irritable, and appears to be hiding something. Can Steph ensure the show goes on – both on stage and at home?
Steph Grant returns in Blood Spots, fifth book in the thrilling Suffolk murders series by Lin Le Versha.
What did I think?
Blood Spots is the fifth book in the Steph Grant Murder Mystery series and it's an absolute cracker that I couldn't put down. I think you could read it as a standalone although it is so much better when read as part of the series.
I loved catching up with Steph Grant, her partner DCI Hale and Derek the dog again. These fabulous main characters are so strong that I could enjoy reading a book about them simply going about their daily lives but there is of course a murder to solve for Steph and Hale.
The amateur theatre setting is wonderful and it adds extra drama to the plot, especially when emotions run high and tempers are frayed among the cast and crew. Steph has been roped in to help with the production and it's well outside her comfort zone but it helps to keep her mind off the apparent cracks that are appearing in her relationship.
Lin Le Versha creates larger than life characters that virtually pop out from the page and the past and present double mystery kept me turning the pages as fast as I possibly could. I love having no idea whodunnit and Lin always keeps me guessing until the big reveal.
Filled with mystery, suspense and drama, Blood Spots is a superb crime thriller that is impossible to predict and difficult to put down. This series is already brilliant but it just keeps on getting better and better. Very highly recommended.
