Mark Billingham’s latest novel is not one to follow-on in the popular series about Detective Inspector Tom Thorne, but rather this is a stand-alone novel. Recently released in paperback via Sphere (imprint of Little, Brown Book Group), I let my Dad read it first in his usual quick manner, then passed it down onto me.
What I really love about Billingham’s writing is that no matter what narrative he writes in — from the angle of both holiday couples as they get to know each other, the police investigation the crime, or the person who has committed the crime — he really engages you in the story. It’s always good for me is even when I put down the book, I’m still thinking of the story — trying to solve the mystery in my head, trying to piece the puzzles together.
Writing a stand-alone book is always an interesting choice for any author no matter how big or small they are, and Billingham has previously wrote one other stand-alone book ‘In The Dark’. Following the Thorne series it’s interesting how a reader can become used to the characters, almost like greeting friends you haven’t seen in a while. It’s no surprise that with‘Rush of Blood’, after the first few chapters, I instantly clicked with these new faces I was seeing.
Given that this is a not-so-simple book it’s interesting that the story itself — making friends on holiday, but one has a darker past — actually makes you think. There have been countless stories I’ve read where it goes outside the book and into real life, beyond words and paper (screw the ebook and kindle), and actually makes you stop and think. Absolutely genius.
As the book progresses along, without trying to actually spoil what happens, you can tell that group is fragmenting in a lot of ways. You can tell that they’re coming to the end of their holidays, and questions begin to arise — sometimes without prompting — from the group. I’m not to outlay exactly what happens, or who actually commits the crime, but with Mark Billingham you’re always going to get a good read. It is always interesting when a writer decides to step out, I feel like I’m repeating myself, but with this (even in the first few seconds of starting it) I already knew I was reading a book by Mark Billingham.
The end result is very surprising and not what I expected at all. It shocks you a bit and, all along the way, kept me guessing and asking who is it?? A truly great read, with some great writing.
RATING: 4 / 5
ENJOYMENT: 5 / 5
