This book is intriguing from the start and really captured my attention.
The lead character Gillian Marsh is a truly fantastic character. She has a complex personality with her own flaws, however this makes her feel real and believable as a person.
Brilliantly written with a plot that is full of twists and turns that really captivates you.
A thoroughly enjoyed.

This is a brilliant read, that surrounds a deady body that is found in the grounds of a prestigious private school.

Gillian Marsh is assigned the case and is immediately met with silence (hence the title). She will need all her detective skills to try and coax the truth out of the students and staff of the school.

I really liked the Gillian Marsh character and how she went about to trying to crack the layers of tradition and prestige at the school, especially when the dead body is linked to another case.

I’m looking forward to reading the rest in the series.

When the body of a young man is found in the grounds of an exclusive boarding school it opens up a whole can of worms which on closer inspection causes DI Marsh and her investigative team a whole heap of trouble. Add into the mix the desperate search for a young pupil of the school who also went missing at the same time and before long this complex investigation is throwing up rather more questions than it does answers.

DI Gillian Marsh is now firmly established in her role as detective inspector and it's obvious that she doesn't suffer fools or allow anyone to get in the way of her investigation and that includes a belligerent headmaster who takes it as a personal affront when the detectives want to tear his school apart in their search for vital clues into the murder mystery.

The story moves along at a cracking pace and the author keeps the momentum alive by adding in the occasional red herring but always with a fine eye for detail and a keen sense of mystery. I've really enjoyed being in DI Marsh's company as she pieces together all the clues, and the cracking conclusion to the story is definitely one I didn't see coming.

A Conspiracy of Silence is the #5 book in the DI Gillian Marsh series and whilst it can be read as a standalone story as with all book series it's always better to start at the very beginning

Thank you to the author, publisher and Rachel’s Random Resources for the copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

A Conspiracy of Silence is the fifth book in the Legat’s DI Gillian Marsh series. Discovering a character several books into a series can place the reader at a disadvantage, in my opinion, however I felt the story worked very well as a standalone novel. If anything, it’s a positive as reading it made me wonder at some aspects of DI Marsh’s character so I’d like to read the books in order to find out more about her.

I found DI Marsh quite caustic at times, lacking empathy and I got the impression that’s part of her character’s nature. Her no-nonsense approach certainly seemed to help with getting to key information as she worked to uncover the secrets hidden in Whalehurst’s inner sanctum though.

There were quite a few potential suspects and characters which can be a bug bear of mine, however Legat portrayed them distinctly so that they never blurred together in my mind. Reading the book felt like playing a game of Cluedo (oh, how I loved that game as a child!) with a little snippet of information being revealed at a time by different characters. There were so many lies, half truths and blind alleys that I wasn’t able to guess the outcome. And even then, there were a couple of final surprises in store which I didn’t see coming.

The old boys’ network and elitism portrayed by the obsequious headmaster towards some of his favourite pupils and their rich parents made me love to loathe him and I enjoyed learning more about his background.

I would recommend this book for lovers of Midsomer Murders who enjoy trying to solve a mystery before the big reveal – I failed miserably but enjoyed the challenge!

A Well Drawn Piece....
Book five in the DI Gillian Marsh series. A body found on private school grounds sparks a major investigation which is not set to be straightforward as Marsh soon discovers when she is met with a wall of silence from both students and staff. A well drawn piece which maintains both interest and tension throughout to a satisfying denouement. First class read and an excellent addition to the series.

I enjoyed every minute of this excellent book!

Rarely do I come across a book that hooks me from the first chapter and does not let go until the end–this is one of those gripping murder mysteries.

Slightly predictable towards the end, but I like the feeling of being capable enough to assist the detectives in their investigation! DI Gillian Marsh is a refreshing character, even if she bulldozes through her interviews without paying heed to people’s sensibilities.

We see how knowing someone is guilty is entirely different from being able to prove that guilt in a court of law. It’s horrifying to see how cold-blooded murderers can go scot free if they have a good lawyer, lots of money, or there just isn’t enough legally admissible evidence to nail them.

Themes of cyberbullying, racism, anti-Semitism, and drug dealing are explored in the book in convincing detail. I feel this would be an educative book for young adults and their parents.

I must add that the author has a crackling writing style–smooth, polished, and sophisticated. She was able to infuse humor into what should have been a dark, grim book littered with murders.

To conclude, A Conspiracy of Silence has me floored and I will definitely be picking up Anna Legat’s other novels.

(Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources for my copy of the book!)

*So what's the Story...*
Detective Inspector Gillian Marsh is a no nonsense woman. The woman will NOT laugh at any jokes. So don't even try. I think it is safe to say no one would ever describe her as a sensitive soul. Not even Gillian. She is not a people person and certainly does not do emotions.

And God forbid anyone stops her from doing what she wants. Gillian is like a shot arrow, once she starts pursuing a goal there is no looking back.
Speaking of an arrow, that is the murder weapon in DI Marsh's recent mind boggling case. Gillian had plans to enjoy finally having her place to herself. Now that Tara, Gillian's daughter and her boyfriend had moved out. But that was not to be. Duty called before she got too comfortable.

The body of young man has been found with an arrow sticking out of him in Ogburn Country Park. Very near the prestigious (read rich people) Whalehurst school. During the course of investigation, Gillian finds out that one of the students, Rachel has mysteriously gone missing.

As the case progresses, it seems like the whole school is keeping secrets. Students, Teachers and Stafff alike. Before she can paint a comprehensive picture, another body turns up. What is going on in this school that everyone is tight lipped about?

What then unfolds in the following pages of 'A Conspiracy of Silence' would make you shudder.

*Honest Impressions*
Let's address the first question that comes to mind when we see Book #5 written with the title. 'A Conspiracy of Silence' can definitely be read as a stand alone. The mystery has its beginning, middle and end, all in this book. You will not be missing anything. The are no gaping holes in continuity. Of course, you can get curious about the lives of the central characters of this series. You may want to know more about the passing references in the book for which you have to read the previous ones. But that curiosity is a given when we are reading the part of a series.
Another point I will mention is that the subjest matter has disturbing elements. Elements that spread hatred and insensitivity in the world.And it involves school age youngsters. That makes it more heartbreaking. It's something you need to be prepared for when reading 'A Conspiracy of Silence'.

*Reasons to read 'A Conspiracy of Silence'*

1. DI Marsh is an interesting protagonist. And I specifically say that because she does not have many endearing/pleasant qualities. Yet, you are drawn to her because of her dedication, courage, intellect and authenticity. She doesn't pretend to be someone else. And does not care about social perception at all. It is refreshing.

2. The mystery itself is expansive and has all the qualities needed to keep you glued to the pages.

3. A really matter of fact police procedural. Although, the story incorporates details about the personal lives of the investigators, the focus stays on the main mystery. No unnecessary distractions.

4. The author Anna Legat has a talent for drawing the reader's attention back to the crux of the story even when the story is exploring other elements. Her writing does not let you get distracted.

*Do I recommend?*

It is an engrossing read. I have been a mystery buff since as long as I can remember. Especially, murder mysteries. But I was always attracted to private investigator stories. Police procedurals are something I have got into only in the recent years. Still testing the waters with them. However, I am happy to recommend 'A Conspiracy of Silence'.

I read this for a blog tour.

I really enjoyed this crime novel set in a small Wiltshire village, after a body is found on the boundary of an elite public school.

Dealing with the attitudes and insularity of the privileged school felt slightly familiar as my home town also houses (and shares a name with) one of the fanciest public schools in the country.

At this school, Whalehurst, there is a distinct us and them attitude with regards to the villagers, and the headmaster tries to push the investigation off his campus. However the dead body is a member of staff, and there's also a missing student to account for.

Within the walls of the school someone knows what happened, and Detective Inspector Marsh is not giving up.

She's a forceful and determined protagonist, putting the case first in her priorities as she searches for answers on behalf of the families and victims. She knows there's something very wrong at the school, and she will keep digging.

Clever, gripping and with a sinister villain at the heart of it, this was a great read and perfect for a cold, wintry night's reading.

A Conspiracy of Silence pulled me right in because early on, everyone is so close-mouthed…which, of course, makes them suspect to me.

After an evening of displaying confrontational and erratic behavior at home, fifteen-year-old Rachel Snyder disappears. On the same night twenty-year-old Bradley Watson is found in a local park… shot through the heart with an arrow.

On the surface, the two cases—a missing teen and a dead adult–don’t appear connected. She’s believed to be a runaway, and his drug-dealing past finally caught up with him.

However, much to the chagrin of DS Mark Webber, who handling Rachel’s case, the two investigations morph into one when it’s revealed that not only was Bradley a groundskeeper at Rachel’s school, but a photo memory card was found in his pocket full of pictures of Rachel that she did NOT pose for. With a promise to work as a team sharing information, DI Gillian Marsh combines the cases. Webber knows he’ll have a struggle on his hands because his superior is single-focused and unapologetic. She also doesn’t realize there’s no ‘I’ in team.

Gillian Marsh is also damn good at her job and gets results. She goes toe-to-toe with everyone, including her boss and anyone she questions during the investigation. The unflattering thoughts of some of the males she questions are quite telling. They don’t like her because they cannot intimidate her, and before it’s all over, they fear her because they realize nothing will stop her from finding the truth. While Gillian’s abrasive, caustic personality won’t win her any awards, family and coworkers understand that’s simply her personality. Nothing more, nothing less. And that personality will help her as she deals with;

Grieving parents,

A best friend, who wasn’t a best friend,

A boyfriend, who wasn’t a boyfriend,

A pompous headmaster who reeks of righteous indignation… and whiskey,

And a school full of privileged students who all claim to “barely” know the young girl who’s been their classmate for three years.

Gillian and company ride a roller-coaster of emotions with more deaths, a trial, an incredible verdict, and pressure from her boss to leave things as they are.

But Gillian’s gut instinct won’t let go and justice will not be denied. When the truth behind the deaths is revealed, all I could do was shake my head. The more things change, the more they stay the same… through the generations.

Well-written with strong characters, I enjoyed this fast-moving crime fiction after I adjusted to the author’s writing style, especially the side stories that showcased the personal side of some of the investigative team.

Enjoy!

DI Gillian Marsh takes on the case of Bradley Watson, found dead on the grouncds of prestigious private (in English parlance, "public") school, Whalehurst. He's the son of the groundskeeper, and for that last year and a half has been working as the groundskeeper's assistant. He also has a history of drug dealing, for which he has served time. Yet in the last couple of years, he's either gone straight, or become much more careful.

He also has a memory card in his pocket, with very stalkerish pictures of Rachel Snyder, a Whalehurst student who has diseappeared. The autopsy soon confirms that Watson died either the night she disappeared, or very early the next morning.

At Whalehurst, no one wants to talk. The headmaster, Dr. Featherstone, who might be expected to want to get to the bottom of this mystery to protect his charges, even attempts to bar the police from the grounds. What's going on?

Rachel's best friend, Rhiannon, insists they were never that close, and anyway had recently drifted apart. The boy she had introduced to her parents as her boyfriend, Josh, says much the same thing. What's "recently"? About three months ago. Rachel's parents agree that her behavior changed about three months ago. They thought it might be just normal teenage angst, but feared it might be drugs. Was she using? Was she dealing?

Meanwhile, Gillian's own grown daughter, Tara, and Tara's boyfriend, Charlie, are moving out of Gillian's house into Gillian's parents' house. Her mother has recently had a stroke; her father is in the early stages of dementia, and they are stridently refusing to accept help. So Tara approached them with the idea that they'd be doing her a real favor if she and Charlie could move in, since it's closer to the school where Tara teaches--Whalehurst. But Gillian has barely settled into having her house to herself, her cat Fritz, and her dog Corky, when DS Webber turns up on her doorstep, having been kicked out by his wife too late in the evening to get a room anywhere.

More directly relevant to the two probably-related cases, her boss, Detective Superintendent Scarfe, is adamant she can't investigate anything drug-related on this case because there's a higher-level drug gangs investigation going on and she'll interfere with it.

It's complex and chaotic, and she and her team are working hard to find the right threads to pull on, impose some order on the confusing evidence they have, and find out where Rachel is, and who killed Bradley Watson.

Its' an interestingly complex story, with good character development, and a nicely nuanced portrayal of police trying to solve a serious crime while making it clear that police, and police institutions, are as human and flawed as any other people and organizations.

Recommended.

I received a free electronic galley of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, and am reviewing it voluntarily.

The story begins with Rachel Snyder being collected from school by her mother Sarah. She comes across as your typical pain-in-the-neck teenager, uncommunicative, selfish and glued to her phone, but as the evening progresses it becomes apparent there is something else causing her erratic behaviour. Someone is watching her, taking illicit photographs and following as she flees her home in a panic. A body is found in Ogburn County Park, in Sexton’s Canning in Wiltshire, just where it borders on to Whalehurst School, a well respected boarding and day school where the elite send their children. Found by boys from the local council estate, the body is identified as Bradley Watson, one of their own, and who is being trained up to work at the school by his groundsman father. He has been killed by an expertly shot arrow straight through his heart. DI Gillian Marsh is given the case while ambitious DS Mark Webber, together with PC Sharon de Witt, investigates why young Rachel never returned home and is now reported missing. Bradley is already known to the police for dealing in drugs and they suspect he is still doing it although now more careful not to come to their attention again. His parents on the other hand believe he has turned over a new leaf. Apparently he has even been photographing the local wildlife!
DC Erin Macfadyen and DC Whittaker join Gillian’s team and they find that no one at the school knows anything. Or so they say. They meet a wall of silence, from the very grown up head boy and his cohorts to the headmaster Dr Featherstone who appears edgy and very unhelpful. When pictures of Rachel taken on the night of her disappearance are found on Bradley’s body, the detectives are forced to admit they are linked, not only to each other but also the fancy school where Rachel was a day pupil. One false trail follows another, as still the police are met with blank faces and no help from pupils and teachers alike, except for the very unhelpful fact that the entire school are archery experts and anyone could have made that shot. Motive is the thing that will blow the case wide open as Marsh strives to get justice for Bradley and find Rachel. Dark secrets begin to be unearthed as the net closes around the killer but with a bewildering array of red herrings and dead ends, will they ever reach the shocking truth?
I didn’t feel I got to know Marsh or Webber terribly well as people from this book, although Marsh’s character certainly grew on me and became more likeable as the story progressed. Past events were mentioned in passing but with very little explanation which left me wondering what I had missed. From that point of view this did not work as a stand alone and I think these books should most probably be read in order to get a better insight into the characters and their history. The book is well written but I could not see why, when the whole story was set at the same time, some was written in the past tense (he said, she went) whereas lots was written in the present tense (she says, he goes) which is not my favourite style and the switching felt odd. Fortunately it did not detract from the clever and original plot which featured some smashing twists and big surprises at the end. I did enjoy the book which had plenty to keep the reader occupied right the way through to a great ending. 4*

A pupil from an elite private school is missing, and the son of the groundskeeper is found dead, shot with bow and arrow. DI Gillian Marsh must get to the bottom of the case despite the school’s headmaster doing his best to keep ‘scandal’ at bay and the police out of the school entirely.

I haven’t read any previous books in this series, but I don’t think it was necessary to understand what’s going on here. Gillian Marsh is a no-nonsense police officer who, frankly, appears to be on the autism spectrum; everyone around her certainly recognises her complete lack of social skills and inability to comprehend the feelings of others. Dogged and determined, she is an inexorable force of nature once she has her focus fixed.

There are some interesting themes here, with cyberbullying, doping among elite student athletes, the attitudes of entitlement wealthy families confer upon their youth, and an exploration of how elite ‘clubs’ can easily be hijacked to follow specific ideologies if a strong enough personality is able to take charge of them. I actually did not see the twist coming (trigger warnings for anti-Semitism, racism and Nazi ideology apply) and I would say at least two of the characters displayed strong sociopathic tendencies, though this was never particularly explored.

What I did not like was the constant point of view hopping, especially in the first couple of chapters. It was distracting and frequently, we jumped into the POV of someone who really had no relevance to the plot. If you’re going to change POV, you need more than a new paragraph, you need a chapter or scene break. There are good and solid reasons for these conventions of fiction writing, and they are all about the reader experience. Honestly, a firm editor could have cleaned it all up in a single pass, but it really needed to happen to strengthen the storytelling.

There’s a good story here, exploring some themes which are extremely relevant to today’s world (and which might terrify you if you have kids). Marsh as a heroine is an intriguing character; she’s both by-the-book and occasionally completely off the wall as regards her attitude. The head-hopping however, does knock it down for me. I’ll give it four stars.

Although the fifth in the series, A Conspiracy of Silence can definitely be read as a standalone as the author quickly brings new readers (like myself) up-to-date with everything they need to know about DI Gillian Marsh. She has a no-nonsense approach which can appear brusque but is just the outward manifestation of a steely determination to get to the bottom of any crime she’s given to investigate. In this respect, she reminded me of Ann Cleeves’s Vera Stanhope.

There are glimpses into Gillian’s home life, revealing her as a bit of a loner who has prioritised her career over other things. Although she enjoys a pie and a pint with colleagues after work, there’s a clear line between work and anything else. That is, unless she chooses to cross it.

As Gillian embarks upon the investigation into the murder of Bradley Watson, she soon starts to ruffle feathers, notably those of Whalehurst’s headmaster, Edwin Featherstone. Sorry, Dr. Edwin Featherstone. He seems more interested in protecting the school’s exclusive reputation than the fact a dead body has been found in its grounds. Or that the victim was killed in such an unusual fashion, given the school has a a society devoted to Medieval martial arts, which include archery.

The nearby village of Little Ogburn epitomizes a community separated along class lines, divided into “the leafy owner-occupied” Upper Little Ogburn and the “decrepit housing estate” of Lower Little Ogburn. If you were thinking it sounds a little like the Wiltshire equivalent of TV’s Midsomer Murders, think again. The storyline features distinctly darker aspects of contemporary society such as county lines drug rings, bullying, right-wing extremism and the murky side of social media.

The anguish of Rachel’s parents at her disappearance is vividly depicted and I got a clear sense of how this made the officer in charge of the case, DS Mark Webber, even more determined to find out who – and what – was responsible for Rachel’s sudden disappearance. I was less a fan of the use of the past tense in some chapters and the present tense in others.

In conducting her investigation, Gillian faces, as the title says, a conspiracy of silence. But not only that; there’s a conspiracy of misogyny too, expressed in sometimes crude language.

Although not overburdened with police procedure, A Conspiracy of Silence demonstrates the patient, detailed process of investigating a crime, the teamwork involved and the human impact on those waiting for answers about their loved ones. In DI Gillian Marsh, the author has created a character whose flaws are definitely outweighed by her desire for justice, making the reader root for her.

I have a little confession to make- yes yet another one. Although I have a few of Anna’s books on my ever increasing ‘to be read’ mountain, I haven’t actually read one yet…………until now that is. Having enjoyed reading ‘A Conspiracy Of Silence’ I can guarantee that Anna’s books will be bumped up the ‘to be read’ list. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘A Conspiracy Of Silence’, which is the fifth book in the DI Gillian Marsh series, but more about that in a bit.
What can I say about Detective Inspector Gillian Marsh? To start with I wasn’t quite sure how to take her. She is a bit abrupt, she doesn’t pull any punches, she tells it like it is and she doesn’t seem to care if she upsets people. Saying all that though, she is a fantastic detective, who is like a dog with a bone. When she is allocated an investigation you can rest assured that she will not give up until she has apprehended the killer or the perpetrator. Marsh isn’t afraid of hard work- far from it- and she isn’t easily frightened. Her character isn’t exactly warm and friendly but I gradually got used to her and even quite liked her. Not many of the other characters seem that likeable. In fact one of the worst characters for me was the Headmaster of the school, where the body of a young man is discovered. His attitude stank and I silently cheered Marsh when she put him straight. That doesn’t stop him being obnoxious, arrogant and ignorant.
It didn’t take me long to get into this story. After the first couple of pages, I knew that I was going to be in for a real treat with this book. The murder as well as the disappearance of the young lady intrigued me and I had to know if the two crimes were connected and if the police would solve the crimes and apprehend the perpetrators. I made the fatal mistake of starting to read the book shortly before I went to bed. Let’s just say that bedtime was delayed and I had a distinct lack of sleep hangover the following morning. This book was certainly on my mind all the time. If I didn’t have the book in my hand, then I was itching to be able to pick it up again. If I wasn’t reading the book, then I would be thinking about the book. I just needed to know how the story concluded and I turned the pages at a fairly fast pace. All too quickly I reached the end of the story and I had to bid farewell to DI Gillian Marsh and her team. I soon cheered up when I realised that I had the first four books in the series to catch up on.
‘A Conspiracy Of Silence’ is brilliantly written. I was blown away by the story and by the quality of the writing. Anna has one of those writing styles that makes you feel as though you are part of the story. That’s how I felt anyway. For me, the story started in a memorable way, it hit the ground running and maintained a fairly fast pace throughout. I loved the way in which Anna introduces twists and turns to the story with such ease. I thought that I had worked out who was doing what and why only for Anna to send me a curveball and send me down another path entirely. The book it tightly plotted with several twists and turns along the way. I was gripped by the story from start to finish and on the edge of my seat throughout.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘A Conspiracy Of Silence’ and I would definitely recommend it to other readers. I look forward to reading more of Anna’s work in the future and get to know Detective Inspector Gillian Marsh a bit better. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

4.5 Stars

Anna Legat’s A Conspiracy of Silence is a captivating traditional British crime novel featuring the fantastic DI Gillian Marsh that will keep readers gripped throughout.

When the body of a groundsman is found in the grounds of a prestigious school in Wiltshire, DI Gillian Marsh is called onto the scene. The young man, Bradley Watson, has been found shot dead with an arrow pierced through his heart. Who would possibly commit such a macabre murder in this most pristine of settings? Why has Bradley been targeted? Did he incur the wrath of a student? A teacher? A parent? What’s really going on in this school? And what did Bradley do that had driven somebody to murder? DI Marsh is determined to get to the truth and she will leave no stone unturned to find out what really happens behind the doors of one of the county’s most respected schools.

As the investigation starts gathering pace, DI Marsh finds herself going down one dead end after the other and the frustration begins to mount as she is met with nothing but blank faces and stony silence. Everybody seems keen to bury the scandal and pretend like nothing has happened, but Gillian is adamant that she will keep digging until she finds out what really happened to Bradley. But just when she thought that this case couldn’t possibly get any more perplexing or twisted, another shocking discovery is made: pictures of missing fifteen year old student Rachel Snyder have been found on Bradley’s body and they were taken on the night that she disappeared.

Something links the two shocking incidents and with DI Marsh edging closer to the truth, can she uncover the dark secrets lurking in the corridors of this illustrious school? Or will her quest for justice end up putting her directly in the line of fire?

A terrific mystery that deftly balances suspense and tension, Anna Legat’s A Conspiracy of Silence is an enjoyable crime novel featuring an intelligent, insightful and perceptive detective that will keep readers on their toes and desperate to find out what happens next. Full of twists and turns and surprises which readers will simply not see coming, A Conspiracy of Silence is a brilliantly written police procedural from a writer to watch out for: Anna Legat.

Two different points of view draw the reader into the characters' lives from the first page. There are hints of what is to come for both characters, and the reader is aware of a tenuous connection but nothing more. The story's development stems from these characters and their motivations.

Two investigations demand the attention of DI Gillian Marsh, the missing person case overseen by her detective sergeant, and the murder which is hers to solve. DI Gillian Marsh is a believable character with flaws and insight, which make her a realistic investigator. There is a good balance of the detective's personal life and the police procedural. The characters are authentic, but many are unlikeable.

Solving the cases means breaking the wall of silence surrounding them, and DI Marsh and her team are ultimately successful in this.

I received a copy of this book from Headline Accent via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I have read all the Gillian Marsh books so far, so was pleased to get a Netgalley copy of this book. It did not disappoint, despite having a lot to live up to from the previous book, The Sandman. The author always manages to combine a good plotline with humorous lines thrown in ..."as feminine as a fence post" being one of my favourites.

Gillian is a complex main character, likeable despite her many flaws.

Would recommend this book highly.

Reading this is a bit like being in a maze: just as you think you've found the solution you turn a corner and find yourself utterly lost again!

When the body of a young member of staff is found in the grounds of a public school, DI Gillian Marsh is called to investigate. Expecting answers to her questions, she is annoyed when the headmaster blocks her investigation at every turn. At the same time, a colleague is looking into the disappearance of a local girl. When photos of her are found on the young man's body, it links the two cases together. So what has one got to do with the other? Where's the connection? And what, if anything, is the headmaster covering up?

This one kept me on my toes! I like Gillian Marsh - she doesn't suffer fools gladly, and makes no apology for that. She doesn't miss much either - a great trait for any detective! This is a very cleverly plotted book, pulling the reader in by degrees with a gripping storyline while keeping the big revelations until the very end. So very good! Skilfully created - both the story and the characters - and really hard to put down once I began. Absolutely mesmerising and such a very satisfying novel to read - with the perfect title! Anna Legat is now on my 'must not miss' list and I'm very happy to give this one all five glowing stars.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley and to Rachel's Random Resources for my spot on this tour; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

What starts as two independent cases, one of a missing person inquiry and the other one, a homicide investigation, soon blends into one and the same mystery. The two cases are connected and their common denominator is a prestigious private school. The missing girl was a pupil there. The murdered young man was a groundsman’s apprentice.
DI Marsh and her team are confronted with a wall of silence. The school fiercely guides its privacy. The uncooperative head master believes that he and his pupils (who come from privileged backgrounds) stand above the law and can obstruct the police every step of the way. Most of the students are unwilling to offer information. They are either scared or simply don’t know anything. Other lines of inquiry lead back to the school.
The irreverent DI Marsh takes no prisoners. DS Webber finds himself emotionally involved with the missing girl’s family. Her parents’, particularly the mother’s anxieties are sympathetically portrayed. The story zooms on her which adds to the emotional depth of how the victims and their families are represented in the book.
As various line of inquiry are pursued, another death on the campus throws more confusion and more questions. The ending of this story is deeply human and very satisfying.
Difficult issues faced by modern society are tackled in this book. It is a complex and emotionally engaging thriller with social conscience.

I received this one as part of a tour.

At the very beginning it's feels a little complicated since the information is scarce while the detectives are digging around.

The plot begins to feel better by the middle when you have a little more info and have a more detailed information about some things that clearly need to be addressed.

By the end the plot gives you a feeling of closure in a way and even when it's a little open at that point it doesn't fell incomplete and it has an interesting emotion between the fun parts and the delicate ones throughout the book.

Overall I liked the book and would recommend it to any thriller lover out there.

Something to really expect from it is the characters, it so fun reading some of them out, specially Marsh and Webber so fun.