Crime caper set in London, Valencia and Mojácar and Greece

Killer on the Set by P N Johnson, crime caper set in London, Valencia and Mojácar, and across to Greece.

Holly Elding is an actor and she has been given a part in the TV series Murder in the Manor. She is taking over from Serena, who finds herself injured. Holly endeavours to visit Serena to understand her side of the story because what Holly has gleaned so far about dynamics on the set has proved very unsettling (a clue is in the book title); but Serena has already decamped to the other side of the world. A helpful neighbour, however, lets Holly into Serena’s flat (without further ado, even though she has no real idea who Holly is). Holly is searching for clues and it is clear that Serena left in a hurry. Holly’s euphoria at being given this opportunity soon turns to horror when she discovers more about the bigger picture.

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As she settles into filming, she senses that something is mightily amiss, and soon she is accompanying Josh on sleuthing adventures to Valencia, where they track down Laura (his ex), who might just have a few answers for them. They find themselves deeply embroiled in something quite alarming. It is then off to Mojácar.

The caper continues across several countries, and they end up in Greece, and Holly discovers secrets within her own family.

There are chases, cars aplenty, a helicopter and a good number of boat rides, and the story starts to have quite the feel of a boys’ own adventure, with a bit of art fraud thrown in.

At the end, the author kindly acknowledges the editing process that the publisher has undertaken, but an even tighter editing hand would nevertheless have made a considerable difference to this work. At one point Josh is referred to as Jason; the reliance on conversation throughout – indeed telling rather than showing – means the action is plentiful but the characters never fully develop. There are turns of phrase that perhaps need a little polish (like: ‘stage stuff’ referring to stage make-up). There is much action that relies on taxis and car rides, drop-offs and the like, which ultimately proves a little tiresome and repetitive; and ‘after breakfast’, ‘after lunch’ are markers that push the narrative along. Thus, further judicious editing input from the publisher would have made this inventive and, at times, exciting story attain another level.

The sense of place isn’t strong in this novel. There is indeed mention of buildings and place – the Túria Park, the parakeets, the City of Arts and Sciences, for example, in Valencia – but the focus is more on the exhilarating dash around various countries.

The Spanish words and phrases used in the text add a sense of immediacy and cultural flavour, although the accents need adding where applicable.

Overall, this is a fast-moving adventure with twists and turns that requires refinement.

Tina for the TripFiction Team

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