I always enjoy “discovering” new authors – you never quite know what to expect and I find it always allows a fresh, unhindered approach to a title or, as in this case, a series. Alison Bruce is the latest of my “discoveries” and her first title, Cambridge Blue, introduces us to young DC Gary Goodhew, a young, ambitious and resourceful detective still wet behind the ears.

UPDATE: The Second book in the series “The Siren” – Review can now be found here.

Cambridge Blue by Alison Bruce

Although just shy of 300 pages in length, the novel is very well paced and with so much information packed in-between, it never once gave off the feeling of a small book. Don’t get me wrong, 300 isn’t a small book by any means but given many of my recent reviews have weighed in at over 500 pages I had anticipated a short story! Wrong!

Available in Paperback and Kindle Edition from Amazon.

I loved the feel of this book. I’m not sure why but as soon as I began reading Cambridge Blue, for whatever reason and one I can’t figure out myself, I had 1950’s spies in the back of my mind – certainly for the first half of the novel. There really is no reason other than the intense atmosphere Alison evokes with her wonderful style of writing.

Cambridge Blue begins beside the beautiful River Cam, two eight-oared boats have just rowed upstream around the corner and Jackie Moran notices a stranger in the distance – she isn’t at all concerned. Walking with her dog Bridy she continues until she is level with the man – seconds later she’s fighting for her life. She somehow keeps the stranger at bay and after a despairing struggle strangles him, in self-defence, with the dog’s choke chain – she dumps the body and his knife in the river and walks away.

We do of course find out the connection of this murder later in the book, Alison doing a great job of tying up all the loose ends as the book reaches its climactic dénouement. Alison Bruce weaves a complex web throughout introducing numerous characters along the way and you never really know who will have the final say – The ending is have to say is rather frenetic and incredibly tense.

As I mentioned earlier Gary Goodhew is the main lead; a young enigmatic character who prefers working on instinct and on his own. He has little time for his team of detectives but that will eventually come – or will it. He prefers walking around Cambridge following up on leads, talking to witnesses – I found myself wanting his job more and more as the book progressed!

His boss DI Marks is at his wits end with the lad. A strong and confident leader, he’s found his match in Goodhew. He tries to rein in the maverick cop but to be honest fails to keep him on a short leash! The battle between the rules and structure of Marks’ leadership and the natural instinct and determination of Goodhew’s youthful approach is an enjoyable conflict; one I never tired of.

Goodhew’s big break comes when a paperboy discovers the body of Lorna Spence – the investigation leading him in all manner of directions as he sets about finding the person responsible for her death. As the case deepens Pandora’s Box is well and truly opened and it’s left to Goodhew, his grandmother (and best friend) and Marks to make sense of it all.

I found Cambridge Blue a highly intelligent, well-crafted and engaging read. Given that this is Bruce’s debut novel it is remarkable how she has captured the soul of Cambridge and brought a potentially brilliant character in Goodhew to prominence. I look forward to his next case with anticipation. Brilliant and highly recommended.

UPDATE: The Second book in the series “The Siren” – Review can now be found here.

Published by Constable & Robinson now available in Paperback and Kindle Edition from Amazon.