I would like to thank Netgalley and Bastei Entertainment for an advance copy of Cold Cuts the first novel to feature DI Pereira and DS Bain of the Glasgow Police.

Pereira and Bain get sent to Millport on the Island of Great Cumbrae to investigate a sandwich shop serving up pieces of Kevin Moynes instead of the expected pork. Fortunately distribution isn't widespread but it leads back to the processing plant where people are keeping secrets.

I thoroughly enjoyed Cold Cuts. It is novella length so it is the straightforward tale of a less than straightforward investigation but it packs a punch. Obviously the subject matter suggests that it may not be for the faint hearted but there is a black humour to it that amused me. I am familiar with the locations mentioned which adds to the enjoyment - I'm not sure that I have read a book where Millport features so prominently and not a bike in sight (cycling round the island is a rite of passage up here).

I like the characters DI Pereira is known to her colleagues as the box ticker - Asian bisexual - and while her new boss DCI Cooper is at pains to point out that he has nothing against her but he doesn't approve of positive discrimination she wishes it has worked for her! She's feisty. DI Bain is not as developed but seems to have an encyclopaedic knowledge of trivia which provides some amusing moments.

Cold Cuts is a short, entertaining read which I have no hesitation in recommending.