Wanting Aidan

by Alyssa Hall

From the author of Trusting Claire comes a compelling new mystery set in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.

When Joe Parrott, a somewhat disillusioned private investigator, discovers the body of a woman near his home, he is determined to do her justice and find the killer. Haunted by her image, he begins his quest for answers. Joe learns that the deceased, Rita, was a runaway from an abusive home. Not only that, but at a young age, she endured a tragic life-changing experience. With the help of an unexpected ally and his friends in the Sheffield Police, Joe begins to unravel the mystery of this young woman, uncovering a shattering revelation that will reverberate through those connected to Rita-and impact his own life as well.

Wanting Aidan is a captivating crime drama that will leave readers wondering about how we each choose the paths we take.

282 pages, Hardcover

Published April 8, 2021

About the author

Alyssa was born in Newmarket Ontario. She grew up in a muti-generational household which included her four siblings and her Russian parents and grandparents, who were WWII refugees. Following her schooling she spent two years travelling and working in Europe, after which she returned to Newmarket to start a family. She currently resides in Langley, BC with her husband David. The couple divide their time between Langley and Oro Valley Arizona where they enjoy their winters while road cycling, hiking and the art of preparing southwestern cuisine. On the urging of a dear friend, Alyssa started her Covid-induced writing in April 2020, needing a project. Trusting Claire was her first novel, parts of which were drawn from her early life experiences. Alyssa's second novel, a British detective murder mystery is entitled Wanting Aidan. Her third is a mystery set in Tucson Arizona and is a follow-up to Trusting Claire. Her fourth is a return to her British PI character and is titled Hero of Blackpool.

Reviews

[BooksCoffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hall’s solid latest sees the private investigator Joe Parrott on the trail of a young woman’s killer.

Joe finds himself entangled into a murder investigation after the body of a young woman is found near his home. Determined to uncover the woman’s identity and get her justice, Joe begins his quest, unaware the truth will impact his own life.

Replete with relentless suspense and shocking revelations, the narrative moves at swift pace, offering almost nonstop twists throughout. Hall layers much emotion into her writing as she deepens her flawed but empathetic protagonist’s character. Readers will be on the edge of their seats as Joe is pressed into a long spiral of twisted investigation while trying to find the truth.

With its tight plotting, deeply realized characters, and crisp writing that energizes a familiar plot, the novel makes for a page-turner.

Hall deserves a wide readership.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read , I enjoyed that this book is a little edgier than Trusting Claire .
I find that some mystery books are a little too twisty. I truly loved the setting , I have hiked several places in Yorkshire, and stopped at many a small local pub and met characters similar to those in the book. I think the characters are believable, and I do like good endings ..Well done Alyssa

[Heather Barksdale · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Wanting Aidan” follows Joe Parrott, a private investigator, who happens upon a dead body near his home. He sets out to find justice for the woman and ends up involved in uncovering a whole lot more.

Overall, I enjoyed this murder mystery. The main character of Joe was well developed through his interactions with others and memories explored. He is a flawed character. He’s not good at relationships and he is absolutely obsessive, but his persistence actually lends itself well to his investigation. Rita’s tale is heartbreaking but very believable with how her situation evolved. I really liked the way that the author revealed her past throughout the interviews between Joe and the other ancillary characters. Full blog post can be found at heatherlbarksdale.com

I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.

[Mitchell Ming · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an exceptional whodunnit! I thoroughly enjoyed this intriguing page-turner. Highly relatable characters that just swept me away into a beautiful eery setting with a shocking twist at the end! It definitely left me wanting more. I highly recommend this heartbreaking tale - it's a wonderful read.

[Frank Giampa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I acknowledge that Alyssa Hall is a friend.

Alyssa has an absolute commitment to the stories she crafts and her second book, Wanting Aidan, is very strong. With sureness and confidence she weaves intrigue and mystery on the beautiful landscapes of Sheffield, England. Her Characters are complex, her writing is unpretentious, clear, and effortless. Wanting Aidan is a true success.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alyssa did a fabulous job capturing the readers attention. The characters were well developed and the scenes were incredibly vivid. I thought the story line was engaging and thrilling. I was excited to read the book every night. I look forward to reading her next book!

[Lori Giampa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wanting Aidan is Ms. Hall’s second book & while her first book, Trusting Claire, was good, this one is even better. I thoroughly enjoyed this story & the odd time when I had hrs to read, I would get thoroughly engrossed in it! I highly recommend this read! Keep up the great work Alyssa!💕