This is book two of this series so you know what you need to do to make the most of it. It's only one book so there's no excuse... It's called Forgotten Bones and it's a cracker...
In this, their second outing, we catch up with DCI Frank Black, DI Gerry Carver and her wonderful support dog Rylan, and their, well, I guess, motley crew as they try and get to the bottom of an historic murder. Skeletal human remains have been found in the cellar of a condemned pub, The Rusty Anchor, discovered by the inspector who was giving it a final inspection prior to demolition. They definitely have their work cut out for them as not only have they to identify the remains, they are obviously now working back in the past, I mean, I can hardly remember what I had for breakfast these days, let alone what was happening decades ago...
But, as they discover the identity of the victim, they also start to chip away at his life, and what they discover there, well, it's all rather nasty and shocking to say the very least. But that's all for you to discover as the author intends. We also meet several initially unconnected people along the way. Quite how they all tie in with the main story, if at all, again, is for you to discover...
I am a bit of a fan of this author, having devoured everything he has written and loved them all. This book was no exception to that and I absolutely whizzed through it, eager to see how on earth he would be able to tie up all the threads he had created, and was juggling, along the way. But he did, and it was sublime...
It's intense and emotional and really makes you (and the characters) question things - no I can't explain that, but you'll see what I mean when you find out certain things! We also have what is going on in Frank's personal life to add to that but, on the flip side, the balance is restored with some really great "dating" scenes with Gerry. Again, discover that yourself!
Pacing is great and without any superfluous waffle or padding, the story gets on with itself very well indeed. Characters are all well drawn and play their respective parts well, and the ending, when it came was shocking but wholly satisfying.
All in all, a cracking follow up to a brilliant series opener, roll on book three!