Deep Freeze

Ackroyd and Thackeray #8

by Patricia Hall

The private May Anderson Hospital is now without controversies and when a young girl is gunned down at its front door the whole town of Bradfield is outraged. Reporter Laura Ackroyd and her lover, DCI Michael Thackeray, are both soon immersed in the case as the hospital is besieged by pro-life campaigners, led by a charismatic American evangelist. Could he have brought extreme campaigning into the country. Or could the controversial surgeon, Dr Fenton Green, have provoked a violent reaction for other reasons? He appears to be as hated by some of those he has treated as he is loved by others. Nothing adds up and violence begins to escalate when a nurse is shot and the family of the dead girl becomes the focus of violence. Meanwhile Laura Ackroyd and Michael Thackeray face their own conflicts over the issues the case throws up. Can their relationship survive?

Genres: Mystery

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 11, 2002

About the author

Patricia Hall is the pen-name of journalist Maureen O'Connor. She was born and brought up in West Yorkshire, which is where she has chosen to set her acclaimed series of novels featuring reporter Laura Ackroyd and DCI Michael Thackeray. She is married, with two grown-up sons, and now lives in Oxford.

Reviews

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

This time edition I have. Mine is Allison & Busby 2001.

[Gary Van Cott · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this was the poorest book in this series so far. The plot was not plausible and there were loose ends at the conclusion. Kevin Mower was falling apart and Ackroyd and Thackeray were a loggerheads for most of the story.

[Kay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as good as some of the others by this author.

[Linda Underwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

English murder mystery. Insp Thackery and Jaournalist Ackroyd team together to solve the double murder at an abortion/fertility clinic. Good.

[Jan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely not the best mystery I've ever read. Interesting concept, but somewhat confusingly written. The end reads like she ran out of energy. I do like the reporter and detective.