Book Review: In the Dark

Occam's razor. It's often said that when presented with competing solutions to a problem, the simplest tends to be the right one. But what of murders and violent crimes? Understanding the relationship between victims and offenders and the degree of intimacy shared between them is often the key, and Cara Hunter explores the interplay between these two aspects exceedingly well in In the Dark, a riveting police procedural that throws up endless surprises, alternating between characters innocent and bad, whose motives vary from harmless to cruel, all paving way for a thrilling finish that couldn't have been any more unexpected. Thus what opens as a simple, black and white case with the discovery of a woman and child locked in a cellar swiftly escalates into a murky labyrinthine mystery packed with twists and turns galore, all the while deftly weaving in parallel subplots about homelessness in big cities and care for the elderly (or lack thereof). Plus, it also helps that the narrative structure is consistently engaging and realistic (as it can be, given the liberties taken). Although the crux of the story unfolds through the eyes of DI Adam Fawley, it never sidelines the investigation undertaken by other members of his team, lending the whodunit a convincing air of urgency often associated solving crimes of this nature. Eagerly looking forward to her next!