An Unwilling Suspect by Jo A Hiestand
Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Crime, Detective
Pages: 325
Audio Length: 7 Hours 43 Mins
Narrated By: Callum Hale
Published: 17 March 2021
Publisher: Jo A. Hiestand
Publisher's Blurb
McLaren’s fiancée tragically died one month ago. Trying to heal emotionally from her death, McLaren settles into a rented farmhouse in the woods near picturesque Lake Windermere, in Cumbria. But he’s barely had a chance to rest when Helen, the woman in the neighboring cottage, is killed…and is discovered near his front door.
Because McLaren had spent much of the previous day with her, and his snowy footprints lead to and from her house, he becomes the prime murder suspect in what the police label a frustrated romantic advance.
Motives for Helen’s murder are as chilling as the outdoor temperature. There’s the hands-on garage mechanic who’d like to put his hands all over her, the affluent fishing guide, and Helen’s former boyfriend who wanted to renew the relationship.
Can McLaren find the killer before the police jail him for murder?
Review
Staying in a rented
farmhouse in the woods near picturesque Lake Windermere, McLaren just wants to
get away and reflect, but he’s barely had a chance to settle in when Helen, the
woman in the neighboring cottage, is killed…and is discovered near his front
door.
The police mark him as
their prime suspect and it’s up to him to prove his innocence and discover the
real murderer.
This is a slow burning
mystery thriller that allows the characters to develop whilst the plot is
slowly revealed. Keep your wits about you as every little detail is a potential
clue and the drama builds throughout the book to a chilling climax
I listened to the audio
version of this book and the narration by Callum Hale was sensational. His
ability to portray each character with their own authentic northern accent
whilst delivering the overall narration in a fluid, easy to listen to style is marvelous.
Hiestand has written this
such that it easily stands alone, with any background required supplied when
needed.
The slow build and
brilliant characterisation are reminiscent of TV shows like “Vera” and “A Touch
of Frost”.
Tightly plotted to drip
feed the reader with reveals at just the right times to keep you hooked.
Believable characters in
understandable situations that also portrays the north of England in a
beautifully authentic way from the scenery, the places and the people right
down to the accents and language used.
I’d recommend this book, and indeed the whole series, to anyone who loves a well plotted, slow burning detective novel. This is up there in my top 5 books for 2023 and easily my favourite audio book
The Author
She discovered the magic of words and the worlds they create: mysteries, English medieval history, the natural world.
She explored the joys of the outdoors through Girl Scout camping trips and summers as a canoeing and swimming instructor and camp counselor.
She had the usual childhood pets: cats, hamsters, turtles, a chicken...and a skunk.
She's vacationed in many countries but not Norway, as yet, which is something she'd like to try.
Her travels have introduced her to a variety of food, and as fond as she is of Scotland, she's not tried haggis or Drambuie (in or out of coffee).
Brought up on classical, big band and baroque music, she was groomed as a concert pianist until forsaking the piano for the harpsichord. She also plays a Martin guitar and has sung in a semi-professional folkgroup in the US and as a soloist in England.
This mixture formed the foundation for her writing. A true Anglophile, Jo wanted to create a mystery series that featured a British police detective who left the Force over an injustice and now investigates cold cases on his own.
The result is the McLaren Mysteries, featuring ex-police detective Michael McLaren.
Jo's insistence for accuracy -- from police methods and location layout to the general “feel” of the area -- has driven her innumerable times to Derbyshire.
These explorations and conferences with police friends provide the detail filling the books.
In 1999 she returned to Webster University to major in English. She graduated in 2001 with a BA degree and departmental honors.
Her love of writing, playing board games, and music came together when she and a friend invented a mystery-solving game, P.I.R.A.T.E.S., which uses maps, graphics, song lyrics, and other clues to lead the players to the lost treasure.
Along with fellow mystery author Pam DeVoe, Jo taught a mystery writing course at St. Louis Community College.
Jo founded the Greater St. Louis Chapter of Sisters in Crime, serving as its first president.
Besides her love of mysteries and early music, Jo enjoys photography, reading, crewel embroidery, and her backyard wildlife. Her cat, Tennyson, shares her St. Louis home.
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