Review – Grave’s End by William Shaw @william1shaw @riverrunbooks @QuercusBooks #GravesEnd

A big thank you to Riverrun at Quercus Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review Grave’s End, the latest book in the DS Alex Cupidi series by William Shaw. Before I give you my thoughts, here’s the blurb.

The Blurb

A BIZARRE DISCOVERY

An unidentified cadaver is found in a freezer in an unoccupied luxury house. No-one seems to know or care who it is or who placed it there. When DS Alexandra Cupidi is handed the case, she can have no idea it will lead her to a series of murderous cover-ups and buried secrets. Namely the discovery of the skeleton of public-school boy, Trevor Grey, beneath a housing development.

A HISTORIC CRIME

His disappearance twenty five years earlier had almost passed unnoticed. But as evidence surfaces that his fate was linked to long suppressed rumours of sexual abuse, Cupidi, her teenage daughter Zoe and her friend Bill South find themselves up against powerful forces who will try to silence them.
A BURIED LIFE

Digging deep into the secrets that are held underground leads to Cupidi’s realisation that crime and power are seldom far apart. There are dangerous connections between the two cases, which are complicated by Constable Jill Ferriter’s dating habits, a secret liaison and the underground life of Trevor Grey’s only friend.

The most riveting and atmospheric DS Alexandra Cupidi novel so far, Grave’s End confronts the crisis in housing, environmental politics, the protection given to badgers by the law. With meticulously mastered characters and a brooding setting, this third book in the series confirms William Shaw as one of the finest crime writers.

My Review

Ever since meeting DS Alex Cupidi in The Birdwatcher, she’s become my favourite female fictional detective. I’ve read all the books she’s featured in and it feels as though she’s finally more settled in Dungeness. She’s less worried about her work colleagues and her reputation and more focused on her family and friends. She may be the main character in Grave’s End  but she’s not the star. That role falls to the badger. Yes, you heard me correctly. When I first found out that one of the narrator’s was going to be a badger, I was a little surprised. However, William Shaw has absolutely pulled this off and those chapters were my favourite.

But of course, Grave’s End isn’t just about a badger. An amorous estate agent and his girlfriend find a body in a freezer in a large, empty house up for sale. This kicks off a story about house building on the greenbelt and the environmental impact – particularly on badgers – but also deals with corruption, bullying, and of course, murder.

Grave’s End is ingeniously plotted and there are more twists and turns than the rollercoaster at Margate Dreamland. And if it wasn’t for the badger, the truth may never have been discovered. William Shaw’s books have featured in my top ten reads for the last three years. I don’t see that changing this year. A brilliant read.

 

Grave’s End is due for publication in HB on July 23rd. To buy the currently available e-book click here.

 

The Author

William Shaw has been shortlisted for the CWA Historical Dagger, longlisted for the Theakstons Crime Novel of the Year and the CWA Gold Dagger, and nominated for a Barry Award. A regular at festivals, he organises panel talks and CWA events across the south east.

His DS Alexandra Cupidi series – and the standalone bestseller The Birdwatcher – are set in Dungeness Kent. He also writes the acclaimed Breen & Tozer crime series set in sixties London. He worked as a journalist for over twenty years and lives in Brighton.