I would like to thank Netgalley and Hera Books for an advance copy of Truth Lies Dying, the sixth novel to feature DI Matthew Denning of East London’s Major Crime Unit.
When a homeless man is found stabbed to death in an abandoned railway station Denning is determined to get him justice. The man’s identity, when they discover it, offers more questions than answers. He was jailed for fraud and has only recently been released and his family want nothing to do with him or the investigation. When the only witness is killed Denning and Fisher realise that they are dealing with more than they thought.
I enjoyed Truth Lies Dying, which has an intricate plot that revolves around the fraud and family secrets. I don’t think it is the best novel in the series as it gets a bit circular in the middle with Denning pursuing his own theory and the constant re-interviewing of the same people. It would be easier getting blood out a stone than information from these people. Still, there is enough of a drip feed to keep the reader turning the pages until the unexpected solution.
I can honestly say that the majority of witnesses/interviewees are uniformly unpleasant, but obviously well drawn as I got a repulsed feeling, whenever they were on the page, due to their naked self interest. In contrast the author is sympathetic to the plight of the homeless and is able to outline their struggles. Denning has things going on in his life, not least a certain disenchantment with the Met, and there is change in the air. Molly Fisher is settling in to the single life until she acquires a stalker. I didn’t find it particularly convincing, but, on the other hand, I don’t think the author has the space to fully explore a subplot that might detract from the main investigation.
Truth Lies Dying is a good read that I can recommend.