Having been very impressed with J.M. Peace’s debut novel A TIME TO RUN, I approached THE TWISTED KNOT with that mixture of anticipation and worry that always surrounds second books. Happily, the worry was misplaced.

Somewhat paradoxically one of the things that I enjoyed most about this book is that it is not all that similar to its predecessor. The author’s talent is still on show and the central character from the first, police constable Sammi Willis, is also at the heart of this one but there is never any signs of this becoming the first in a line of clones that can often, understandably but annoyingly, follow a successful debut. This is different in pacing, the kind of story it tells and in its overall sensibility. It’s still very, very good though; no worrying necessary.

Here Sammi is still recovering from the events depicted in the first novel. Physically she’s OK but not quite mentally ready to return to full duties yet so she’s working on the front counter of the police station in the rural Queensland town of Angel’s Crossing. Which is where she first learns that townspeople are angry. A man accused of being a pedophile in the town some years ago is apparently ‘at it’ again. He was not convicted last time and locals are determined that this time there will be justice, even if they have to deliver it themselves. All Sammi and her colleagues have to go on is unsubstantiated rumours, no victim has come forward. And Sammi’s superior officers make themselves scarce rather than face the angry mob that confronts Sammi. What are they hiding?

It’s difficult to talk about the many fine attributes of this book without spoiling its plot but I will say the story is a ripper. It’s not the same kind of intense, frightening story the first book told but it’s equally compelling and suspenseful. Here there are layers of secrets being kept by many locals and the way these are revealed keeps readers guessing right to the end. There’s more complexity here too because it’s not quite so clear in depicting who is and who isn’t doing the right thing. Because there’s what’s legal and then there’s what’s right and they’re not always the same thing. At least not for some of the residents of Angel’s Crossing. It’s quite thought-provoking at times in the way it makes the reader contemplate what they might do when faced with some of the scenarios depicted in the book.

Peace is a serving police officer (using a pseudonym) so it’s not surprising that the way the various aspects of police work and ‘the life’ are shown have a real ring of authenticity to them. The different types of personality attracted to the work are on show as are the variety of elements of the job. Although they do exist it’s not all car chases and shoot outs and Peace does well in showing the whole job without slowing the book down or making it dull. She also does well at showing the limitations of the legal system and the frustrations that result for both officers and the public.

The character development is well done too. Sammi’s struggles to overcome the mental issues which arose after she was chased by a serial killer are problematic but no so debilitating they threaten to destroy her. It must be a difficult balance to achieve in trying to depict such a thing sensitively and realistically. There are a few hurdles in her personal life too but these are also shown in a believable, balanced way. The townspeople who are impacted by the possible resurgence of the pedophile activity are also well drawn. Their anger and desire to take matters into their own hands are entirely credible.

All in all then another terrific read from J.M. Peace. I am especially pleased when authors try new things and take some risks with their storytelling. Even if it doesn’t always work I’d rather this than a clone any day. But, in this instance at least, Peace’s change of pace and tone work very well, leaving me keen to see what she does next.

I haven’t been reading many crime novels lately, so the offer to read The Twisted Knot was too good an opportunity to pass up. J.M. Peace is actually a serving Australian police officer, so you know that she knows her stuff when it comes to crime and policing.

The Twisted Knot is the second book to feature Constable Sammi Willis. I haven’t read the previous book, A Time to Run, but I didn’t feel that hindered my enjoyment of the book. The story opens as Sammi is still recovering from the events of A Time to Run, sitting at a desk job. It then comes to her notice that some locals of Angel’s Crossing are threatening action against a paedophile. But then everything is tied up just that bit too neatly and Sammi wonders if there’s something deeper going on…can she find the proof she needs?

This is a great police procedural as Sammi investigates all angles of the crime, finding leads and coming up against brick walls. I liked how things happened in the police station – I felt as though I was getting a real insight into the day to day workings of it all. Tension is created by short, sharp chapters and sentences. There’s no filler here, the plot and sentiment of the novel is taut and will have you saying ‘one more chapter’ many times over! The small town and crime setting was different to the general fiction and romance I’m used to, but no less compelling. The only thing I would have liked is some more detail overall, but having just read a book that’s heavy on all the details, I may well be biased. I think more detail would have also detracted from the overall feel of the book. It just has a dark, moody sense of something going on beneath the surface that is perfectly captured by the storm brewing on the book’s cover.

This would be a great book to read on a wintry weekend as it’s the perfect excuse to stay snuggled up until you’ve finished it!

Thanks to Pan Macmillan for the copy of the book. My review is honest.

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This is the second crime novel in the Constable Samantha Willis series by J.M. Peace, and I thoroughly enjoyed the first one A Time to Run, so it was a joy to slip back into her world. I was powering along within the first 10 pages, chuckling while reading a scene involving a member of the public trying to get out of a traffic related ticket. The dialogue is uniquely Australian and I loved the small town setting in Queensland, Australia.

This time Sammi is investigating a crime (and not a victim of one), so the element of immediate danger was absent, which for me meant the plot wasn't as gripping as the first. Having said that, I really enjoyed the character development, the rhythms of work-life at the police station (my favourite part) and unraveling the 'whodunnit' aspects of the novel.

If you haven't read any Australian authors for a while - or even if you have - I heartily recommend picking up The Twisted Knot or A Time To Run. The Twisted Knot can easily be read as a stand alone novel, and with short punchy chapters and a dark atmospheric cover to lure you in, it's a quick and easy read.

Besides, the author is a serving Police Officer who is managing to keep her publishing success a secret from her colleagues, it doesn't get any more fascinating than that! #respect

* Copy courtesy of Pan Macmillan Australia * ( )