The Playroom

John Connor has continued from where he left off with Phoenix in this emotionally charged thriller.

Detective Karen Sharpe’s personal life has become even more complicated after being reunited with her daughter Mairead after Mairead's father was gaoled for life. It is the first contact that Karen has had with the child since she was born. Mairead is under the impression Karen is her aunt, an impression that Karen has not found a way to correct. A further problem is that Karen never finds time for her daughter, creating a guilt that continually gnaws at her.

This is a story that tears along at breakneck speed due to the desperate frenzy the investigating officers are whipped into as they race against time to find the missing girl. As show more the investigation proceeds and Karen Sharpe is eventually drawn into it, a larger, more intriguing and sinister web is revealed to take us to a heart-stopping conclusion.

Once again, Connor has written a cleverly interwoven story featuring a protagonist who is one of the most pig-headedly determined cops I have come across. Although this proves to be to the detriment of the criminals she is chasing, it also proves to be disruptive to her own personal life. Sharpe is proving to be an increasingly fascinating character – and I’ll definitely be looking out for more in this series. show less

Female hero.. good character, good plot, worth the effort

Excellent thriller. Well written and good characterisation