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Hazel Best & Gabriel Ash #2
Perfect Sins
Four years ago, Gabriel Ash was working with the British government investigating hijackings in Somalia. But when his wife and sons disappeared, presumably taken—and probably killed—by pirates, his life fell apart. He has sudden reason to hope when a senior policeman suggests that his sons might still be alive—until that policeman is murdered. Still, there seems to be some link to a local operation, and Ash, no longer a government agent, is determined to find it.
Meanwhile, his friend Hazel Best has been having a tough time of her own. A police constable whose last case ended with her shooting someone dead, she is just beginning to regain her balance. Hazel and Ash are both beginning to take more of an interest in the outside world, when a neighboring archaeologist decides to dig up a curious mound of earth near the ice house on his land. It might be a burial mound, he thinks. It is, but not the ancient one he expects; it holds the bones of a little boy from perhaps thirty years ago, carefully laid to rest with twentieth-century toys. As Hazel is slowly drawn back into police work, Ash finds himself under threat from someone who must think his investigation into his family's disappearance is finally getting somewhere...
Jo Bannister's police procedurals have been widely praised not only for outstanding plotting and suspense, but also for their brilliant and compelling characterization and with Perfect Sins she again proves that she is "one of the genre's best." (Booklist)
Meanwhile, his friend Hazel Best has been having a tough time of her own. A police constable whose last case ended with her shooting someone dead, she is just beginning to regain her balance. Hazel and Ash are both beginning to take more of an interest in the outside world, when a neighboring archaeologist decides to dig up a curious mound of earth near the ice house on his land. It might be a burial mound, he thinks. It is, but not the ancient one he expects; it holds the bones of a little boy from perhaps thirty years ago, carefully laid to rest with twentieth-century toys. As Hazel is slowly drawn back into police work, Ash finds himself under threat from someone who must think his investigation into his family's disappearance is finally getting somewhere...
Jo Bannister's police procedurals have been widely praised not only for outstanding plotting and suspense, but also for their brilliant and compelling characterization and with Perfect Sins she again proves that she is "one of the genre's best." (Booklist)
295 pages, Hardcover
First published December 9, 2014
25 people are currently reading
194 people want to read
About the author
Jo Bannister
78 books97 followersJo Bannister lives in Northern Ireland, where she worked as a journalist and editor on local newspapers. Since giving up the day job, her books have been shortlisted for a number of awards. Most of her spare time is spent with her horse and dog, or clambering over archaeological sites. She is currently working on a new series of psychological crime/thrillers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
May 8, 2026
Loved this read! Didn’t realize it was the second book in a series lol, but I caught on quickly and enjoyed this case. I did guess the ending, but still liked it! Lighthearted for a murder mystery, and that was what I needed this week👌🏻
Favorite line:
“‘It’s not something we do- it’s something we are. We are in mourning. It’s a process we must go through. Everyone has to find their own way, but it’s not something you can get right or wrong. All you can do is come out the other end.’”
Favorite line:
“‘It’s not something we do- it’s something we are. We are in mourning. It’s a process we must go through. Everyone has to find their own way, but it’s not something you can get right or wrong. All you can do is come out the other end.’”
November 21, 2020
An archaeologist unearths the body of a child, lovingly buried with toys. Obviously someone cared about him so who shot him in the face with a shotgun? The body is found on the estate where Hazel's father lives so she and Ash get involved.
There's nothing wrong with this book. I simply didn't find the story very interesting. But I like the dog Patience.
There's nothing wrong with this book. I simply didn't find the story very interesting. But I like the dog Patience.
October 7, 2017
I am forced to read the next book in this series because of the cliffhanger ending on this one. This is a very slow moving and emotion-driven book featuring a female constable, Hazel Best, and a man she apparently rescued in the first book I did not read. This man, Gabriel Ash, has a wife and four sons who were kidnapped four years ago by those (pirates?) who steal weapons being shipped...
This entry spotlights the discovery of the skeleton of a young boy on the property of a country house that blows up what everyone thought they knew about the aristocratic family that has ruled there since 1450. Yup....good ol' secrets and lies.
This entry spotlights the discovery of the skeleton of a young boy on the property of a country house that blows up what everyone thought they knew about the aristocratic family that has ruled there since 1450. Yup....good ol' secrets and lies.
November 21, 2020
This one was tough to finish. First, not having read the author’s prior installment in this series, I was behind the proverbial eight ball 🎱 from the start. Of course, I figured that at some point in the book, the reading would reveal the family tragedy that was chronicled in the first book. Nope. The story involves Constable Hazel Best and her friend Gabriel Ash who become involved in the mystery surrounding the discovery of a gravesite on a country estate. What ensues is the investigation into the identity of the body, cause of death 💀 and the all important question of why. As the investigation progresses, the constable and her friend have to unravel this mystery, all the while continuing to discover clues into Gabriel’s tortured 😖 past.
January 16, 2016
Altogether I liked this less than the first book in the series. There was something about this that was...off. Kind of as though it was an interlude instead of a book in its own right. I mean, the mystery (which was not difficult to figure out for the most part) was not all that important and there was really just a slow, country feel to the whole thing. Maybe I'm such a city girl that modern books not set in the city bore me, or maybe it really is just that the author wanted this book to be a bit more calm, slow and leisurely.
Also, cliffhanger ending? Not cliffy enough since I've waited two days to even think about reading the next book. The best way to get me interested in reading sequels is to write a good book, not leave the ending hanging. This wasn't a bad book, it just didn't get me interested the way that the previous one did.
Also, cliffhanger ending? Not cliffy enough since I've waited two days to even think about reading the next book. The best way to get me interested in reading sequels is to write a good book, not leave the ending hanging. This wasn't a bad book, it just didn't get me interested the way that the previous one did.
December 22, 2017
I think I liked this even better than book one, so make that four and a half stars.
It involves a past murder, recently uncovered.
We get to meet Hazel's father and the estate where she grew up. Learn a bit about her mother and the current Earl and family.
There are not too many suspects, and those who are still around after several decades have past, are not always good remember-ers. As this is a police procedural, the right questions are asked and the involved parties are revealed.
Nicely written.
My only concern is the ending. Where will this lead them in book three?
I borrowed a copy from the public library.
It involves a past murder, recently uncovered.
We get to meet Hazel's father and the estate where she grew up. Learn a bit about her mother and the current Earl and family.
There are not too many suspects, and those who are still around after several decades have past, are not always good remember-ers. As this is a police procedural, the right questions are asked and the involved parties are revealed.
Nicely written.
My only concern is the ending. Where will this lead them in book three?
I borrowed a copy from the public library.
March 5, 2019
The second book explains the background of Gabriel Ash. He was working as a security analyst for the British Government. The case he had been working on four years ago concern the hijacking of arms shipment by the Somalia privates. His wife and sons were kidnapped by the privates and no trace was found of them. Gabriel had a mental breakdown and retired to his hometown of Norfolk. Information from a high ranking Norfolk police officer before he was killed hinted that they might be still alive. Hazel becomes involve with Gabriel helping him search for clues. The book has a cliffhanger for the ending as Gabriel learns that Cathy, his wife is still alive. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND SERIES.
November 24, 2018
This series just gets better with each book. This is a book club read and everyone wants to continue with the series even after the the book club discussions are finished.
October 12, 2019
Wow - talk about a cliffhanger! Can't wait to start the next one!
August 6, 2015
In the first book of this new series by Jo Bannister, the highly recommended “Deadly Virtues,” the reader met Gabriel Ash, in his mid-20’s, “an intelligent, astute man who had once been highly regarded in national security circles,” a well-educated insurance investigator and later a Government analyst before the traumatic events of 4 years ago when his wife and two young boys had been taken by persons unknown, their present whereabouts a complete mystery.
The follow-up book takes place two months later, and reunites Gabriel with Hazel Best, a 26-year-old rookie cop, now on probation after the events which took place in that earlier novel, during which she had saved his life more than once. As the book opens, Gabriel is accompanying Hazel to visit her father, the gatekeeper at Byrfield estate, the lord of the manor being Lord Pete (“Peregrine”) Byrfield. Also present is David Sperrin, Hazel’s old friend and an archeologist who lives with his mother on neighboring property, who shortly embarks on an excavation on Byrfield land resulting in the discovery of what is determined to be the body of a ten-year-old child in a makeshift grave, apparently dead for over 30 years. DI Edwin Norris is the cop assigned to the ensuing investigation into the child’s murder, and the identity of the murderer. In the process we learn a lot about British aristocracy, much of it fascinating.
Of course Gabriel’s family’s whereabouts, and the question of whether they are even alive, is always in the forefront of his mind. Their disappearance during Gabriel’s investigation into African pirates’ hijacking of British arms shipments has him still continuing that investigation.
The writing is wonderful throughout, in particular the author’s descriptions: “I don’t know what Guy would have grown up to be. An entertainer, possibly. Or a politician. Something where the ability to tell barefaced lies is a major advantage.” And a shopkeeper: “an elderly woman with a froth of white hair and the apple cheeks of the terminally jovial.” As in the earlier novel, all the characters are very well-drawn, especially Gabriel, Hazel, and DI Norris, and the relationship between Hazel and Gabriel seems to be evolving into something more intimate. The suspense keeps building, right up until the very last page, which ends in a cliffhanger which makes me all the more anxious to read the next book in the series, “Desperate Measures,” due out in December, 2015 – can’t wait!
Highly recommended.
The follow-up book takes place two months later, and reunites Gabriel with Hazel Best, a 26-year-old rookie cop, now on probation after the events which took place in that earlier novel, during which she had saved his life more than once. As the book opens, Gabriel is accompanying Hazel to visit her father, the gatekeeper at Byrfield estate, the lord of the manor being Lord Pete (“Peregrine”) Byrfield. Also present is David Sperrin, Hazel’s old friend and an archeologist who lives with his mother on neighboring property, who shortly embarks on an excavation on Byrfield land resulting in the discovery of what is determined to be the body of a ten-year-old child in a makeshift grave, apparently dead for over 30 years. DI Edwin Norris is the cop assigned to the ensuing investigation into the child’s murder, and the identity of the murderer. In the process we learn a lot about British aristocracy, much of it fascinating.
Of course Gabriel’s family’s whereabouts, and the question of whether they are even alive, is always in the forefront of his mind. Their disappearance during Gabriel’s investigation into African pirates’ hijacking of British arms shipments has him still continuing that investigation.
The writing is wonderful throughout, in particular the author’s descriptions: “I don’t know what Guy would have grown up to be. An entertainer, possibly. Or a politician. Something where the ability to tell barefaced lies is a major advantage.” And a shopkeeper: “an elderly woman with a froth of white hair and the apple cheeks of the terminally jovial.” As in the earlier novel, all the characters are very well-drawn, especially Gabriel, Hazel, and DI Norris, and the relationship between Hazel and Gabriel seems to be evolving into something more intimate. The suspense keeps building, right up until the very last page, which ends in a cliffhanger which makes me all the more anxious to read the next book in the series, “Desperate Measures,” due out in December, 2015 – can’t wait!
Highly recommended.
February 18, 2016
While some of the activities in this latest in the Gabriel Ash series by Author Jo Bannister follow on from earlier events (most notably the kidnapping of Ash's wife and children), most of the story in "Perfect Sins" focuses on the discovery by a local archaeologist in the English countryside. Ash's friend, Constable Hazel Best, has brought Ash and his dog, Patience, to the country house of the Byrfield family, where her father serves as a groundskeeper.
"Pete" Byrfield, the most recent earl, has commissioned a friend, a local archaeologist, to survey the estate. When a particularly promising mound is chosen to be excavated, it turns out that what lies buried there is not some ancient artefact but the bones of a child killed just a few decades ago. How did the child end up there, and what connection (if any) does it have to the family that owns the estate or to other locals?
There are layers of secrets surrounding the grave, and things even begin to get dangerous when Ash and Best begin to explore the possible connection to an Irish traveler (gypsy) who was once married to a local artist now living in one of the cottages on the estate. It turns out, however, that this red herring relates to the earlier Ash search for his own missing family, and the story ends with a promising lead in that regard...and what will surely be the beginning to the next book in the series.
For those unfamiliar with the Gabriel Ash character or earlier books in the series, PERFECT SINS can still be enjoyed as a stand-alone mystery. However, the experience is much richer for those who have followed this former British intelligence agent and his most recent adventures tracking Somali pirates, with which the novel begins and ends.
Review first appeared on ReviewingtheEvidence.com.
"Pete" Byrfield, the most recent earl, has commissioned a friend, a local archaeologist, to survey the estate. When a particularly promising mound is chosen to be excavated, it turns out that what lies buried there is not some ancient artefact but the bones of a child killed just a few decades ago. How did the child end up there, and what connection (if any) does it have to the family that owns the estate or to other locals?
There are layers of secrets surrounding the grave, and things even begin to get dangerous when Ash and Best begin to explore the possible connection to an Irish traveler (gypsy) who was once married to a local artist now living in one of the cottages on the estate. It turns out, however, that this red herring relates to the earlier Ash search for his own missing family, and the story ends with a promising lead in that regard...and what will surely be the beginning to the next book in the series.
For those unfamiliar with the Gabriel Ash character or earlier books in the series, PERFECT SINS can still be enjoyed as a stand-alone mystery. However, the experience is much richer for those who have followed this former British intelligence agent and his most recent adventures tracking Somali pirates, with which the novel begins and ends.
Review first appeared on ReviewingtheEvidence.com.
July 5, 2017
Four-and-a-half stars.
This is the second book in the Gabriel Ash and Hazel Best series.
In this story, a trip to Hazel’s childhood home to visit her father turns deadly when a child’s skeleton is discovered in a make shift grave. Reunions with friends from her earlier years include the sparking of possible romance for her.
But family secrets and hurts and anger run deep in the soil. And the investigation uncovers both sadness and deep unresolved grief. Some will go to any lengths to keep their secrets. Even murder?
An attempt is made to kill both Gabriel and Hazel. The alleged assailant may be someone who never existed, a myth of the village. Or is there a deeper, more sinister force operating here?
Their investigation leads to the dark path Gabriel is just emerging from with Hazel’s persistent help. The path that drove him from his job as a security analyst for the government. The path that began when his wife and two children disappeared. The path that led him to the depths of depression and withdrawal. But he can’t ignore the signposts.
Jo Bannister does a masterful job of weaving both storylines into a strong, unified narrative. We discover more of what makes Hazel Hazel. And we experience more of Gabriel’s recovery and the strong bond that exists between the two. And we taste the fear arising at the end of the book as they learn more of what happened to Gabriel’s family.
This is a novel that will have you turning pages and staying up nights. And the ending will have you searching for the third book in the series.
Highly recommended.
This is the second book in the Gabriel Ash and Hazel Best series.
In this story, a trip to Hazel’s childhood home to visit her father turns deadly when a child’s skeleton is discovered in a make shift grave. Reunions with friends from her earlier years include the sparking of possible romance for her.
But family secrets and hurts and anger run deep in the soil. And the investigation uncovers both sadness and deep unresolved grief. Some will go to any lengths to keep their secrets. Even murder?
An attempt is made to kill both Gabriel and Hazel. The alleged assailant may be someone who never existed, a myth of the village. Or is there a deeper, more sinister force operating here?
Their investigation leads to the dark path Gabriel is just emerging from with Hazel’s persistent help. The path that drove him from his job as a security analyst for the government. The path that began when his wife and two children disappeared. The path that led him to the depths of depression and withdrawal. But he can’t ignore the signposts.
Jo Bannister does a masterful job of weaving both storylines into a strong, unified narrative. We discover more of what makes Hazel Hazel. And we experience more of Gabriel’s recovery and the strong bond that exists between the two. And we taste the fear arising at the end of the book as they learn more of what happened to Gabriel’s family.
This is a novel that will have you turning pages and staying up nights. And the ending will have you searching for the third book in the series.
Highly recommended.
July 20, 2020
The jacket blurb sounded great - former Brit government operative,Gabriel Ash, who has been investigating hijackings in Somalia has lost his wife and two young sons presumably to Somali pirates. Are they still alive? Ash becomes involved with young local constable Hazel Best then the story meanders off into a local decades old murder mystery of a young boy. There's eccentric aristocrats, false leads, affairs and a chase by a man with a gun, but it’s all plodding and meanwhile I want to know what’s happened to Ash's wife and kids. Then suddenly we're back chasing up Ash's family and left with a cliffhanger ending. This is when I discover this book is #2 of a series. I haven’t read the first one and despite the cliffhanger I’m not feeling the need to proceed with #3. Disappointing read.
July 2, 2017
Book two of this series. This is a series which is important to read in order. I found that out the hard way. Hazel and Ash retreat to Hazel's home turf to heal after their first adventure together ends in the death of the chief of police. While they are exploring the grounds of the local manse, Hazel's childhood friends discover an old burial mound. When they dig it up they discover it isn't ancient as they thought, but contain the skeletal remains of a child from the last thirty years or so, given that the grave also contains plastic toys. The search for the identity of the missing boy also intertwines with Gabriel's search for his missing family.
January 20, 2017
Unfortunately, it has been a while since I read the first book in this series and could remember very little about it. The author doesn't provide much information about what happened in that book. She does something interesting in that this book begins and ends with one story (leaving a cliff hanger) but most of the book is about another story which is resolved. While these books are OK I do not like them as much as the Brodie Farrell series. Also the author has a tendency to occasionally use very long sentences which take some examination to unravel.
July 16, 2023
The 2nd book in this series, and I enjoyed it more than the first.
Gabriel Ash and Police Constable Hazel Best are still dealing with the events of the previous novel.
When a local archaeologist (and family friend to Hazel) digs up a body of a child that is only 30 years old,they find themselves involved in a case with many twists and turns...and Ash meanwhile is still looking for his missing wife and 2 boys....4 years gone now...
I really did enjoy this one. Though I am tiring of one aspect in this series....
Gabriel Ash and Police Constable Hazel Best are still dealing with the events of the previous novel.
When a local archaeologist (and family friend to Hazel) digs up a body of a child that is only 30 years old,they find themselves involved in a case with many twists and turns...and Ash meanwhile is still looking for his missing wife and 2 boys....4 years gone now...
I really did enjoy this one. Though I am tiring of one aspect in this series....
December 2, 2021
I started this without knowing it was the second in a series. For the most part, this story had nothing to do with the first one so I didn't feel that I was missing out on too much. I enjoyed the main story of this book but wasn't thrilled that it ended on a cliffhanger that ties back to the original story.
May 27, 2024
You get 2 mysteries for one in this series. Each book is a crime novel, while the background is a bigger, more heinous crime that stretches across countries and books. Might be difficult to keep track of without binge reading, but then again binge-reading a series brings its own cons, where you might get to know the main characters too much. We'll see.
May 30, 2025
Okay, I am a bit disappointed with the ending because it's a cliffhanger, but still, it's worth reading. I regret not reading it before. I love this book sm (except the ending). It was a mystery book that helped me get out of a reading slump. The DNA tests and stuff made it more twisted and interesting. Every plot twist made me shocked
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2025
Given the more brutal nature of the first installment in this series, I was a bit hesitant to read #2 but am so glad I persevered. Perfect Sins is a fast, intriguing read, and while I solved the mystery of the thirty-year-old grave, I was not anticipating the major developments in the final chapters - or an actual cliffhanger ending!
April 8, 2019
Somewhere around 2.5 stars. As someone else mentioned, this book felt more like an interlude than a book in a series. Not sure if I'm going to read another one. The novella that was the mystery was ok. The inter woven on going story was plodding at best.
September 26, 2019
Another great novel by Jo Bannister. Although I read the first one in this series, it was several years ago and I don't remember it well. But I can't wait to read the next one--this one left parts of the story hanging!
January 26, 2022
I like how the author brings out the personality of Gabriel, to give us a glimpse of what he was like ‘before’. Hazel too, was given more depth. Even the secondary characters are vividly clear and well developed. And of course, the plot itself, brilliant!
July 8, 2017
Well written, easy read
Ms. Bannister never fails to delight in her writing. Her characters are well developed and her pkots entertaining. I look forward to her next book.
Ms. Bannister never fails to delight in her writing. Her characters are well developed and her pkots entertaining. I look forward to her next book.
August 29, 2017
The camaraderie between Hazel and Gabriel is expanded further. They come to trust each other more while working a case thrust upon them.
March 18, 2018
First book I've read by this author but it won't be the last one. She's writes a great story. The only thing I didn't like about the book was the ending. I wanted more.
December 9, 2018
My favorite new series.
March 24, 2019
Foolishly read this thinking it was the first book. Enjoyed it but now have to find#1 to properly begin Gabriel's story.
June 20, 2019
What a cliffhanger!
July 1, 2019
If you like good old British mysteries you won't want to miss this one. Lots of twists and turns with maybe a stretch at the end but a real page turner to set you up for the next one. Can't wait!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews