Unsafe Convictions

Michael McKenna #4

by Alison G. Taylor

Trisha Staunton is murdered and her ex-husband is wrongly convicted of the crime. When evidence of his innocence is found, Superintendent Michael McKenna is called in to search for evidence of police corruption, and to find the real killer.

Genres: Mystery, Crime

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Alison Taylor never intended to be a crime writer. In 1986 she was working as a senior social worker for the former Gwynedd County Council. Increasingly disturbed by reports of the alleged abuse of children in care, she took her concerns to the police. As a result she was fired. What her actions have helped to expose is one of Britain's worst scandals of institutionalised physical and sexual abuse in children's homes in North Wales. Because of the extent and nature of the allegations, in 1996 the government took the rare step of ordering a Tribunal of Inquiry, which began hearing evidence in January 1997, and is due to report this year. Alison Taylor won two national awards for her selfless work in this area; the first Community Care Readers Award, and the Campaign for Freedom of Information Award in 1996. Disillusioned by the prospect of returning to social work, Alison concentrated on writing. Her first novel Simeon's Bride evolved from a short story written for a national competition and was published in 1995. It won her outstanding critical acclaim and comparisons to PD James and Ruth Rendell. Her second novel In Guilty Night was a compelling story containing the controversial issue of child abuse. And most recently, The House of Women was published in 1998, again to widespread acclaim from the media. A television series featuring Superintendent Michael McKenna is currently under negotiation.

Alison Taylor has a son and a daughter, and has lived in north Wales for many years. Her interests include baroque and classical music, art and riding.

Reviews

[Julie Round · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am afraid I cannot finish this book. After 100 pages I am completely lost as to the characters ( probably because I read each morning for 30 minutes ) and irritated by the writing style. Alison attaches at least one, and often two, adjectives to most nouns which slows the action and stops one getting lost in the story. Not my kind of book.

[Sandy McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extremely conflicting case

Piers Stanton Smith is sentenced to life for the brutal murder of his ex-wife Trisha; however, when new evidence turns up, Superintendent McKenna and some of his team are sent to the Pennine Hills to investigate.

Far from being a straight forward case, each day reveals lies, deceit, confliction and long-held secrets. A persistent journalist is hounding McKenna and the locals, and there is suspected corruption within the local police force, all of which are not helping McKenna and his team with their enquiries.

This is an extremely complex and gripping story with endless twists and turns, multiple suspects and a thrilling plot. So far, this is my favourite in an excellent series which is brilliantly written and hard to put down.

[Ann Goodwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Re-reading this after nearly 20 years, it feels like its set in the fifties, with its lack of technology and odd attitudes towards women. However the background of sexual abuse, murder and detection is a small Yorkshire town is compelling and satisfying.

[Angela Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a conviction is quashed, releasing an abusive husband after his alaby is confirmed, police officers are suspended and an enquiry set up. A complex story with multiple suspect characters looks into the case of missing evidence following the brutal death of Trisha Stanton Smith.

[Cristo · Rating 3 out of 5]

No doubt the author evokes clear pictures with her descriptions of settings. I enjoyed this aspect of the book.
But the ending...? Am I missing something here as it just stopped, pretty much. No definite conclusion re who did it and I didn't like the vague ending after taking so long to get there.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Piers Stanton Smith's conviction of the murder of his wife Trisha has been overturned. Now Superintendent Michael McKenna and his team investigate the police responsible for the initial investigation. But will it uncover the guilty party.
An entertaining crime story

[Kurt Strobach · Rating 5 out of 5]

A magnificent read, riveting. Could not put this book down Set in the area where my grandparents, my uncle and I have all lived. beautifully rounded off at the finish.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

People have died, a man has gone to prison perhaps unjustly, and the police are implicated in framing him. An ambitious reporter is determined to get to the bottom of everything no matter who she injures in the process. It’s a lot for McKenna’s little band of cops to unravel and it is complicated by the machinations of a supremely manipulative and exceptionally well described sociopath, and the interference of a priest who is determined to save himself through self-induced bloody torture. It’s quite a feast for fans of the darker side of abnormal psychology.

[Arwen Fowler-jonsson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book by Taylor that I have enjoyed. Her character development and writing may even be better than the actual story.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fair. Masochistic priest commits murder.