The Dark Arches, a review by Joanna

Regan is determined to bring down Bradshaw, but when a key witness in the case against him dies in prison, she knows it’s going to be tough. Somehow he is always one step ahead of them, and she now suspects he’s getting insider information from her nemesis at work, Freya. What she doesn’t know is that Bradshaw is plotting mass indiscriminate murder for his own ends, and her own specific murder at the hands of the vile Clements.

I’ve read pretty much everything Andrew Barrett has written and love how he keeps coming up with ever more twisted plots with which to torment his lead characters. You don’t need to have read the Eddie Collins books to enjoy this series – although trust me if you like gritty British crime stories you should definitely read them. Eddie does appear here but in only a fairly minor role. The traits that annoyed me about Regan in the first book have receded, and we get to understand her motivations better as we meet her difficult mother and learn more about her past. I like her loyalty and fearless determination to get the job done, but the price is high – no spoilers – and I now can’t wait for book 3. Thanks to Andy for the ARC.