I would like to thank Netgalley and Canelo for an advance copy of The Body on the Shore, the second novel to feature DCI Craig Gillard of the Surrey police.

Gillard is tasked with investigating the shooting of architect Peter Young. As one of the team observes an architect is a most unusual, if not unique, victim but as they investigate they quickly discover that Peter Young's past is shrouded in mystery and offering few clues. In the meantime Gillard is fielding increasingly frantic calls from Sophie Lund whose house and family are being targeted in a series of bizarre events. Then another body is found shot to death on a remote Lincolnshire beach with enough similarities to Peter Young's death to warrant further investigation.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Body on the Shore which is an exhilarating, high octane thriller with hardly a dull moment and some very good, unexpected twists. It kept me up late as I just had to finish it one sitting. I'm unsure of how plausible it is but I found that I didn't care as I was so caught up in the action and adrenalin rush of the read. It just seems to move from one incident to the next with it all making warped sense within the plotline until an amazing conclusion which is audacious and outrageous while still making sense. The whole plot is unusual and clever so hats off to Mr Louth and his imagination.

Gillard is a much more settled character in this novel. He is now married to the understanding Sam so he has the time and frame of mind to apply himself diligently to his cases, all under the watchful eye of Chief Constable, Alison Rigby, with whom he has an uneasy relationship. He goes above and beyond to solve his case, putting himself in danger. It's exciting stuff.

The Body on the Shore is a great read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

Starts out ok and then descends into a strange world of Albanian Mafia - it is I am sure well researched and the dark menace of organised crime pervades the book. I am not entirely sure it hangs together as a piece. The constant carping in the UK section about the police chief's sexuality and another reference to the sexuality of another character - its a bit off , I would like to think that policing in the UK is really not interested.

Something of a curates egg this book - its good in parts. I may read another by the author to see how it develops

Adventurous and mysterious. This book is very immersive and is heavy on the world building. Enjoyed reading this and I imagine this to be a great hit.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book.
I loved this police procedural set on the Lancashire Coast . It’s a twist mystery that will keep you guessing till the end.