A Darker Side

April 14, 2008
This lackluster sequel to Into the Shadows
(2007), Wells’s first contemporary procedural to feature Lancashire DCI Max Trentham and forensic psychologist Jill Kennedy, finds Kennedy retired from police work and reinventing herself as an author of self-help books. Trentham, who was Kennedy’s lover as well as her colleague, drags her back into profiling after teenager Martin Hayden vanishes, only to be found in a canal with his skull fractured. The pair’s probe leads to the victim’s mother, Josie, revealing a shameful secret. When Josie is murdered and another teenager turns up dead, the police shift their focus from the Hayden family to a possible serial killer. Formulaic dead ends and suspects with guilty consciences unconnected to the killings interweave with Kennedy’s ambivalence about resuming a relationship with Trentham. An underdeveloped murder motive and a solution to the crimes telegraphed well in advance don’t help the predictable plot.

August 1, 2008
Adult/High School-A fast-paced police procedural, set in semirural England. The action begins when an arrogant high school student is found bludgeoned to death. His mother, a reticent woman, is the next victim, but her murder appears to be even more hate-driven. Max, a police detective, and Jill, a profiling psychologist, work the case as they try to rework their personal relationshipthe latter presented through snarky asides from each of them that will ring credible and humorous with readers. Complicating things at both a professional and personal level is the fact that Max's sons attend the same high school as the first victimand then two more boys go missing. Wells does a good job of interweaving viewpoints and hinting at characters' motives that target self-preservation, whether from police inquiry or the scrutiny of intimates and neighbors. Both kids and adults are credible here, and the backstory is presented early enough that readers don't feel cheated of necessary information for solving along with Max and Jill. Teens who like puzzles and can enjoy seeing teachers' reputations skewered en route to a solution will find this a fast, pleasing read."Francisca Goldsmith, Halifax Public Libraries, Nova Scotia"

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