Far From the Tree by Rob Parker

When a mass grave is unearthed, it turns a detective’s life upside forever . . . in this “gritty, gripping, fresh and authentic” thriller (Meg Gardiner, Edgar Award–winning author of UNSUB). Twenty-seven bodies, vacuum-packed, buried in a woodland trench. Some have been there for years, some for just days. When DI Brendan Foley recognises one of them, he knows this case is about to shake his world. Foley has vital support in Det. Sgt. Iona Madison, a keen boxer outside work. But their loyalties are about to be tested to the extreme. Pressure mounts as the discovery of the mass grave becomes the focus of media attention. Foley knows they can’t crack this case alone; however, he’s not letting a rival force take over. Their investigation lead the two detectives into the murky underworlds of Manchester and Liverpool. But as Madison steps into the ring for the fight of her life, the criminals come to them. It’s no coincidence that the corpses have been buried in Foley’s hometown. The question is, why?

This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
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WHAT'S FAR FROM THE TREE ABOUT?
I've tried several times to try to come up with a summary, and I just can't without ruining something. So, let's just appropriate the Publisher's Summary, shall we?

Brendan Foley has worked to balance the responsibilities of a demanding job and a troublesome family. He's managed to keep these two worlds separate, until the discovery of a mass grave sends them into a headlong collision. When one of the dead turns out to be a familiar face, he's taken off the case.

Iona Madison keeps everything under control. She works hard as a detective sergeant and trains harder as a boxer. But when her superior, DI Foley, is removed from the case, her certainties are tested like never before.

With stories of the Warrington 27 plastered over the news, they set out to solve the crime before anyone else. The local constabulary is small and under-funded – Brendan knows they can't crack this case alone, and he's not letting a rival force take over. Not with the secrets he fears are lurking. Their investigations lead them into the murky underworlds of Manchester and Liverpool, where one more murder means little to drug-dealing gangs, desperate to control their power bases.

But as Madison steps into the ring for the fight of her life, the criminals come to them. It's no coincidence that the corpses have been buried in Foley's hometown. The question is, why? Foley might not like the answer....

messed up

FAR FROM THE TREE