First published almost four
years ago, this is the fourteenth book in the series that began with A Share In Death in 1993. For her “Monday
With Kaye” segments, Kaye George has also previously reviewed here the next
book in the series, The
Sound of Broken Glass.
No Mark Upon Her by Deborah Crombie
How nice to step into the world of Gemma
and Duncan again! The reader is entering not only the world of the Metropolitan
Police of London, but also the world of English sculling. And, along with the
police department, the milieu of search dogs and their handlers.
Everything is set in motion when Becca,
a Metropolitan Police officer who had a chance at the Olympics in single shell
fourteen years ago, decides to stage a comeback and make another try. Her
previous attempt at the Games was aborted under mysterious circumstances. Even
now, she's training in secret. She's recently divorced from Freddie, but they
maintain cordial relations, as far as anyone can tell. Freddie is an unlikely
mate for a police officer, as his occupation is a bit shady. Kieran Connolly,
former Combat Medical Technician, is a Search and Rescue dog handler and boat
builder with a troubled past, but increasingly fond feelings for Tavie, fellow
dog handler. Their animals, Finn and Tosh, are great characters. Something is
off about Kieran when Becca's body is discovered, but Tavie can't quite figure
out what.
Detective Gemma James and her husband,
Detective Superintendent Duncan Kincaid have recently wed in a small ceremony
and are the parents of a varied brood. The theme of complicated family affairs
runs through the book. Duncan is called in to work the case, but Gemma figures
heavily too, of course.
The ends of all the threads are
simultaneously tied up and left leading to the next adventure. This is a
lovely, satisfying British police procedural with many relationship subplots
that lend texture.
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