Fantastic Crime Debut

• Book: Cambridge Blue
• Location: Cambridge
• Author: Alison Bruce

Review Author: Anne Cater

Cambridge Blue is the first in a new police detective series featuring DC Gary Goodhew Goodhew is new to the Cambridge force, newly promoted and still only 25 years old.. DC Goodhew is assigned to a murder case Lorna Spence has been found murdered and at first it seems that she was well-liked and admired by everyone that knew her – it doesnt take Goodhew long to uncover some startling skeletons in her cupboard. What is refreshing about Goodhew’s character is that he is a bit of a loose cannon – he is unconventional in his methods and his inexperience, eagerness and a little bit of naivity gives him something of an edge. He is not afraid to upset his superiors and he is not afraid to take risks. It certainly makes a nice change to read of a Detective who is not an ‘almost alcoholic’ or troubled by failed relationships.

Saying that, Alison Bruce has definitely left it wide open to develop Goodhew’s character throughout the series – there are hints of mystery about Goodhew – vague references to his sister and parents and he is unusual that he spends most of his spare time with his Grandmother – a wonderful character who appears to know him better than anything.

The plot of this novel is fabulous, starting with Lorna’s murder and quickly unravelling to implicate more and more very well-drawn characters. The tension builds throughout the story to an almost unbearable level at times, there are red-herrings, surprises, shocks and mysteries along the way, and I was certainly left guessing right up to the last page.

This is a superbly crafted thriller, a perfect beginning to what I hope will continue to be an excellent series. DC Goodhew is only twenty-five, Alison Bruce has paved the way for a long-running crime series.

Back to book