A well-written police procedural with enough enigma to keep you guessing until the end. DI Fox is drawn into the seedy underworld as she in estimates the killing of a dominatrix. It all seems cut and dried until fresh evidence is discovered.

*i received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review ( )

In this second book of a British detective series, a young female DI who is trying to move up in her career finds herself investigating the murder of a female in the basement of a BDSM parlor. With as gruesome a subject as this, I must add that there is humor used between the DI and her partner and their schmuck of a boss. If you enjoy thrillers and crime novels, this is up there with the best. My thanks to the author and LibraryThing for a complimentary copy. ( )

I'm not much of a detective story person but I enjoyed this book by Colin Falconer. It was easy to read and written in a light, slightly humorous voice. A couple of little cliche's about detectives as portrayed on television crept in, other than that an easy read. ( )

I confess to nearly having put the book away after five chapters. While there is no doubt in my mind that police working violent sex crimes must develop thick crusts of downright offensive talk to overcome having to think about these victims I find it equally offensive to be made to enjoy these "jokes" by an author. Apart from that this book is a more than solid procedural with a well-Invented heroine. No more, no less. ( )

3.5 stars

"You know, you wonder how much any of us really know anyone else, even those very closest to us" says George Mason, the father of a young woman found murdered in her basement. It's a common theme in this British police procedural where many of the characters have perfected the art of presenting an acceptable facade to the world.
This is book #2 featuring DI Madeleine Fox of the Met's Major Incident Team (following "Rough Justice"). Maddy is 34, single & good at her job. Sure, there are days she's like to smack colleague DS Terry James who seems to be going through puberty again. Maybe he'll get it right this time. And they're all still getting used to new boss, Greg Mills.
The team is tested when they arrive at the scene of a young woman murdered & left displayed in a room tricked out for S&M games. Seems she was living a double life...attractive public relations executive by day, dom/sub mistress by night.
In alternating chapters we meet James Carlton, an urbane politician who seems to have it all But he's a fraud. He knows he should be grateful for his privileged life but can't help tempting fate occasionally. It's all about the thrill of the risk.
The story continues to be told on 2 fronts: Maddy & her team as they investigate 2 murders & following James as his world begins to unravel. Because of this, we are more privy to the facts than the characters as the story lines develop & gradually merge.
I really enjoyed this. It's tightly plotted with fleshed out characters & lots of action. The opening scene grabs you & even pacing keeps you turning the pages.
Maddy's a likeable & original character. Instead of the standard portrayal of a female cop as strident & bitchy, she comes across as capable of holding her own on the job but not immune to self doubt about her skills. Friends are settling down & popping out babies, other relationships are falling apart & Maddy starts to wonder about some of the choices she's made.
Sections dealing with her personal life round out the character but never overwhelm the main thrust of the plot which is the criminal investigation. But I did subtract half a star due to the ending & a decision she makes about a relationship. It was just plain dumb & until then, I really thought she was smarter than that.
All in all, a quick well written book that will hold your attention. Should appeal to fans of Peter James, Alex Gray & Brenda Chapman. ( )