A Shred Of Evidence
A Shred of Evidence by Jill McGown
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I picked this book up at the Phinney Neighborhood Center’s Book Exchange, not realizing I had already read it (and most likely had originally got it from the Exchange and swapped it back over a year or two ago.
So many police procedurals are hackneyed these days. But A Shred of Evidence opens with such a great, unique scene! I immediately knew I had read it, but thanks to chemo 2 years ago, I had no memory of what happened. So I got to enjoy it twice!
If you’ve read any of my reviews you know I don’t summarize the plot. You can get that elsewhere. So following are my thoughts on the book and why I enjoyed it.
Genuine, complex characters. Yes, there is a love interest between an officer and her superior…ah, would it really be a police procedural without a love interest? But at least the female of the pair is strong and independent.
Plotting is tight, motive is believable, and a double twist ending that was well executed.
Although a school setting isn’t unusual in mystery novels, and some tropes exist here, it is besides the point. This is an old school, “fair play,” the “hunt is on” mystery. With an ending Agatha Christie (who believed in evil) would be proud of.
I’m looking forward to reading another in the series, and if I like it will post on my website Series Review section. www.seattlemysterylovers.com
