Persons Unknown by Susie Steiner

When I reviewed the first book in the Manon Bradshaw series I said I couldn’t wait to see where Susie Steiner takes Manon next. Little did I expect it to be back to Cambrisdgeshire with not only young Fly in tow but also a bun in the oven. Turns out she wanted a fresh start for Fly, and hoped that by taking him out of the city he would not go down a bad path. Things weren’t going so well for them though, and then 12 year old Fly gets arrested for the murder of her sister’s son’s father. Of course, he didn’t do it, and this novel follows Manon as she waddles through the secret investigation she undertakes to clear her adopted son’s name.

Look, this is not a page-turning, action packed thriller. Much like Missing, Presumed, it’s a slow-burn with lots of well-developed characters and often funny twists and turns. A new character, Birdie, is down-right hilarious, and we get a close peek into the machinations of her mind. Schlumpy Davy is back too, and while it takes a while to get there, the final outcome is downright shocking. And once again I love how this book feels steeped in the UK, both in its tone and language. I don’t know if Manon will come out for round three, or what possible/impossible circumstances Steiner can put her in next time, but I’ll be eagerly awaiting it if she does. 

Missing, Presumed by Susie Steiner

Missing, Presumed  by Susie Steiner is a book about a missing girl (dear God AGAIN?? Is this the only way to get a thriller written by a woman published these days? Enough with the missing girls!!) But that's the only negative thing I'll say about this book, because it's actually quite wonderful. Manon Bradshaw is a single police detective on the verge of her forties with the air of desperation about her. She's internet dating (unsuccessfully) and trying to find that special someone before the sand runs out in her reproductive clock. While this book is about a missing girl, it's also as much about Manon, her dedication for her job (she sleeps with the police scanner on in case something happens in the dead of night) and her love life.

The missing girl is a pretentious Cambridge University PhD student, who is trying to eschew the trappings of a everyday life while still relying on Daddy for her monthly stipend. He's the Royal Family's doctor, and his daughter's disappearance unearths the inequalities of British life. A missing upper class girl gets heaps of attention and resources, while a young Black man who's murdered body is found in a swamp gets little. As the story unfolds the twists take a turn that you will never see coming, thanks to good plotting and crafty storytelling. Also, unlike some recent books set in the UK where you can barely tell it's not New York (except for gin and tonic in a can, because we haven't evolved that much yet), this one seems steeped in the land, both with the geography and the language. And I just heard an interview with Steiner that there is definitely at least one more Manon book in the works. Yay! Can't wait to see where she'll take her next.