No Time to Cry
Undercover ops are always dangerous, but DC Constance Fairchild never expected things to go this wrong.
No Time to Cry is the latest novel from James Oswald one of the UK’s biggest crime writers and most well known for bringing us the bestselling Inspector McLean series of detective mysteries.
No Time to Cry is the first book in what has been described as ‘a phenomenal new series guaranteed to have your heart in your mouth’ featuring DC Constance Fairchild.
Published on November 1st with Wildfire (Headline Imprint), I am delighted to bring you all my review today.
I really enjoyed this book and hope you do too!
Book Description:
Undercover ops are always dangerous, but DC Constance Fairchild never expected things to go this wrong.
Returning to their base of operations, an anonymous office in a shabby neighbourhood, she finds the bloodied body of her boss, and friend, DI Pete Copperthwaite. He’s been executed – a single shot to the head.
In the aftermath, it seems someone in the Met is determined to make sure that blame for the wrecked operation falls squarely on Con’s shoulders. She is cut loose and cast out, angry and alone with her grief… right until the moment someone also tries to put a bullet through her head.
There’s no place to hide, and no time to cry.
My Thoughts:
Constance Fairchild has worked for over five years in the police department. Now a Detective Constable working undercover, Constance’s choice of occupation has never pleased her family. Coming from wealth, Constance was private schooled and it was always thought by her father that she would marry within their circle and she would become a good wife. But this was never the life Constance wished for herself. Even her name frustrated her, preferring Con as a more suitable option.
When Con joined up with the Met she never looked back. She managed to find an affordable flat in London and set about establishing her career and making a new life for herself. She achieved a position within the undercover unit, working with her friend and now boss DI Pete Copperthwaite.
The pair were working closely together in an attempt to uncover a crime operation. Unexpectedly Con receives an unusual text from Pete and makes her way to the meeting point, only to make an horrendous discovery. Pete is dead. Pete has been very blatantly singled out and shot in the head, following what appears to be a torturous beating.
Con is understandably devastated but, instead of receiving the support of her fellow Met colleagues, there appears to be a finger of blame pointing in her direction. For whatever reason, Con is being made the scapegoat for Pete’s death.
But why???
Con is temporarily suspended, with her badge removed, pending an internal investigation by the Professional Standards committee. She is left frustrated and angry. Pete was the one person who really understood her and now he is dead. But who IS responsible for this and WHY is Con the target?
It soon becomes clear to Con that her own life is now in very serious danger and without any backup team to turn to, Con decides to set up her own investigation into Pete’s death. Why was he killed? What did he know? Why is there now a price on her head?
Con is a kick-ass, fearless individual. She takes no bull from anyone and has a strength of character that makes her a very dangerous enemy. But as Con peels away the layers, some very frightening truths appear.
Con is also approached by an old school acquaintance, Charlotte, a neighbour from her home village. Charlotte’s younger sister Izzy is gone missing and Charlotte is hopeful that Con can assist in discovering her whereabouts. As Con sets out to search for Izzy it is soon very clear that something rotten is at the core of her disappearance, something that soon gets a little too personal for Con.
Between looking for Izzy and uncovering the truth to Pete’s murder, Con finds herself in some very dangerous and life-threatening situations. What is the truth becomes paramount to her search but she is about to expose many individuals who would rather see her dead.
No Time to Cry is a fantastic beginning to a new crime fiction series. James Oswald takes the reader on a thrilling journey with a gripping storyline and some frighteningly believable characters. Constance Fairchild is exactly as James Oswald set out to create. In his own words – ‘her doggedness, her refusal to give up in the face of overwhelming odds, is her defining characteristic.’
Exciting. Frantic. Tense.
Purchase Link ~ No Time to Cry
Bio
James Oswald is the author of the Sunday Times bestselling Inspector McLean series of detective mysteries. The first two of these, Natural Causes and The Book of Souls were both short-listed for the prestigious CWA Debut Dagger Award.
No Time to Cry is the first book in James’s new Constance Fairchild series.
James farms Highland cows and Romney sheep by day. writes disturbing fiction by night.
Website ~ http://jamesoswald.co.uk/
Twitter ~ @SirBenfro
Wonderful review! I’m glad to hear you enjoyed this one.
I certainly did! A great read! Thank you.
Wow Mairead, this one sounds fabulous! I’m adding it to my TBR right now…
O Lynne I really hope you enjoy! It’s a great read.