The Silent Quarry

I became aware of “[b:The Silent Quarry 54625389 The Silent Quarry (DI Winter Meadows, #1) Cheryl Rees-Price https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1595342259l/54625389.SY75.jpg 47840651]” by [a:Cheryl Rees-Price 11551642 Cheryl Rees-Price https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1470078988p2/11551642.jpg] through the review of my Goodreads friend Barry. If Barry rates a mystery, police procedural or thriller highly, chances are high I'm also going to enjoy it.I was intrigued by the novel's premise of a woman, Gwen Thomas, who survived a brutal attack as a teenager that killed her friend, but lost her memory of the event. When she starts to remember what happened, she becomes a target again. Tempted by Barry and having been looking for the next good read, I basically pounced upon it and finished it in a few hours as it's a bit on the short side of novels.I immediately related to DI Winter Meadows, a perceptive but reclusive detective (my wife calls me a hermit...), who tries to find the identity of the attacker before it's too late. Beyond Meadows' professional interest he's further motivated by his teenage-crush on Gwen and the mutual metaphorical sparks are still flying between the two of them...I really liked Meadows because he's empathic and kind. He's an interesting character with a lot of (as of yet mostly hidden) depth. I also liked his interactions with his colleagues and the locals. He has a good sense of humour and a sharp mind. His casual weed consumption put a big (and, of course, entirely innocent!) grin on my face.»He plucked a book from the shelf and opened it. The inside was hollow and held a small bag of cannabis, a grinder, tobacco, and extra-long rolling papers. He rolled a joint, plonked himself down in the armchair, and lit up.«I also enjoyed how compassionately, fairly and understandingly Meadows treated Edris. He saw Edris' potential and gave him a chance to prove himself which the latter immediately proved worthy of.Gwen Thomas was also a very interesting character: Rees-Price's depiction of Gwen felt very authentic and disarmingly honest. Gwen is disgusted with her marriage, her jerk of a cheating husband and yet she does all she can to help. Even if it puts her in danger and potentially comes at great cost to herself. I admired her courage and determination to face the truth.There were quite a few twists that, I have to admit, I saw coming but still enjoyed - except for one that left me feeling sad...Speaking of sad: There were a few rough edges; the interesting setting of Wales doesn't really play a role at all. Apart from the names of the villages, this could have played anywhere rural. Apart from Edris, all of Meadows' colleagues remain underdeveloped, indistinct and flat.There also are a few loose ends: What is Carl Perkins going to do? What is Ariana going to do about Edris? Nevertheless, this was an engaging, suspenseful, intelligent police procedural and certainly a good entrance into this series.Four out of five stars.Blog Facebook Twitter Mastodon Instagram Pinterest Medium Matrix TumblrCeterum censeo Putin esse delendam