The Birdwatcher

This is a quiet, measured book so if you like your crime novels action packed and fast paced this is not for you.

When a gory murder in a small community leads to a full scale police investigation it is Police Sergeant William South (‘Bill’), who becomes the character at the heart of the mystery. His involvement leads to an intriguing situation because Bill has murdered in the past. The intrigue is further intensified as the latest murder victim turns out to be Bill's friend and neighbour Rob. To spice things up Police Officer Alexandra Cupidi arrives on the scene and it's fair to say Bill and Alexandra are polar opposites.

Although Bill is not keen to investigate a murder, he is also asked to work with Alexandra Cupidi, who has just arrived from the Met. She appears slightly brash and there is some gossip about the reason why she has transferred to the Kent force. Alexandra is also a single mother; and we are also introduced to her troubled teenage daughter, Zoe.

Bill South is an interesting protagonist: a quiet person with few friends and practically no social life other than his bird watching excursions. But he's a good man and this book is as much about him facing up to, and coming to terms with his past, as it is with solving a murder.