The TV Detective

Simon Hall

Average Rating 8/10 (1 Review)

The TV Detective finds television reporter Dan Groves newly assigned to the crime beat, and in a state of angst about it. He needs a crash-course in police work; the solution is to shadow Detective Chief Inspector Adam Breen on a high-profile murder inquiry, which doesn't go down well with some members of the police force. The victim is a notorious local businessman, Edward Bray, a man with so many enemies that one of the problems the inquiry faces is having a surplus of suspects. Bray is killed at a prearranged meeting, in a lay-by on a dark and storm-lashed night, by a blast through the heart from a shotgun. Adam investigates and uncovers a tantalising question, which seems to be at the heart of the case: why was the killing planned for a different day, but put off apparently because the weather was sunny? Tensions abound between Dan and the police, and he comes close to being thrown off the case - until the detectives come to realise he might actually be helpful, in using the power of television to tempt the murderer into a trap.

Review by Chrissi (280217) Rating (8/10)

Review by Chrissi
Book Source: Purchased
Rating 8/10
Dan Groves is a TV news reporter whose normal beat is the environment. He is thrust onto the crime beat because no-one else wants to do it and he gets himself attached to the investigating team to learn about crime and police procedures, a sort of crash course if you will. He starts to build a relationship with the rather taciturn investigating officer Adam Breen whilst the rest of the CID team are running a pool on when he will quit.

The investigation is on the murder of a rather unsavoury local businessman, shot dead on a dark and wet night in a deserted layby. There are many who have reason to want him dead but the investigation has few leads and the relationship between Dan and Adam develops as they work together and Adam realises that Dan can be of benefit.

The author is a BBC correspondent and immediately you can tell as the writing style is impeccable. The narrative flows beautifully and the plot development is nicely done, with the twists and the relationships between the characters developing apace with the investigation. I liked the ending, somewhat ambiguous justice maybe, but very clever. I can see why this is the opening novel of a series.
Chrissi (28th February 2017)