The Fantasy Girl

A book that sustains your interest throughout but left me disappointed in its concluding chapters.
It is a story told in the first person of a police officer, Brian and his efforts by volunteering to break the crime of the century in quiet Cape Cod.
In the first part of the book we learn about the murder victim, a drop dead attractive young female graduate who had been brutally assaulted and her body dumped at sea.
The State police investigating the case seem to have little resources to handle things so it is down to the local cops to lend a hand.
Brian tries to push the friends of the dead girl, Val to shed light on her life, boyfriends and future plans as the case drags on and no clear suspect seems to materialise.
We see Brian under pressure, and when he tries to seize the initiative it has a direct result in bringing the proof needed to make an arrest.
A fresh approach to the murder mystery. Full of small town relationships and limited opportunities. Ultimately, it reveals the hearts of individuals are not always straightforward in terms of love and attention. Brian's dreams were shaped by his failure at school, a dysfunctional family and a brutal army experience in Iraq. Val's short life was blighted by poverty and caring for a disable Mum, with the promise of hope through education and the pursuit of wealth.
Val's death is seen as a loss of unfulfilled potential but Brian's life is a different struggle but remains one of unrealised abilities. Both think they are cleverer than they are and in the process of this novel each pays a price for that misjudgement.
A book to delight those who like whodunnits. But for me lacking some credibility in plot development and final denouement. A new author to me and one who provides an excellent read sufficient to want to follow up some of his other work.