Review: Dead Nasty (Calladine & Bayliss #6) by Helen H. Durrant

 

Print Length: 219 pages

Publisher: Joffe Press (November 2, 2016)

From Goodreads.com:  A GIRL’S BODY IS FOUND IN A DUSTBIN. DEAD MEAT IS WRITTEN ON A NOTE FOUND WITH HER.

The girl was part of a group of bullies from the local school. But DI Calladine recognizes the MO of Craig Donnelly, a killer he thought he’d put away forever. And coincidentally Donnelly has just been released from prison. But when Detective Calladine charges in, he finds out that Donnelly has a watertight alibi and is under the protection of the local vicar, who thinks Donnelly is a changed man.

When another girl goes missing from the same group of friends, Calladine must look elsewhere for the killer and comes across a sinister online predator who was in touch with all the girls.

DS Ruth Bayliss is back from maternity leave, but even her skills and common sense can’t crack the case. In a race against time, they must stop the killer, someone who may even be close to home, before he continues his vicious killing spree.

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My Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Now, this is more in line with the novels I remember from this author and this series! Tons of action, a few red herrings, and some surprises that were as unexpected as they were shocking. Like all of the other novels in this series, Dead Nasty can be read as a stand-alone, however, I don't think some of the elements of this story will hit as hard if you aren't at least somewhat familiar with the other characters and their relationships with each other. 

One thing I did struggle with in this story was not only the way a convicted killer was just set free, especially given the sheer brutality of his killing, but also the fact that when an almost identical murder takes place Calladine's superior officers are mad that he questioned the man? That was one of the most implausible things that I have read in a long time.  I understand needing to tread lightly, and but especially when the cop in question has proof, there should never be the level of hostility that was presented in this story. 

Despite those things, it is still one of my favorites of the series, and I think really shows off the way Calladine's "hunches" and "gut instincts" work (even if he does come across at times as pigheaded). 

I look forward to reading more from this author! 

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                                       Dead Nasty is available from Amazon.com
                                      (for free if you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited)