Alice Quentin, a psychologist, is back in A Killing of Angels, the second book in this series, the first being Crossbones Yard.
In the middle of a stifling summer in London a banker from Angel Bank is killed, and with his body is found a white feather and a picture of an angel. Detective Inspector Don Burns, now in a new position following his previous case, calls on Alice for assistance in profiling the killer as he fears the perpetrator is not going to stop at one killing; he is right. Alice is reluctant what happened previously had put her off working with the police, but Don Burns is persuasive, and she relents.
This book is firmly rooted in the banking crisis where money means more than life. The pictures of angels also introduces the reader to renaissance art, the juxtaposition of biblical angels with more modern aspects of the media is exceptionally well executed which just adds a feeling of reality to the complexity of the plot.
Kate Rhodes handles the pace of the book with aplomb. The twists are brutal and compelling. Alice’s personal life living with her bi-polar brother gives the story a domestic edge as the realities of her relationship with her mother and brother are explored without detracting from the main plot. As well as her work with the police Alice has a case-load of patients which just adds to her stress levels which she relieves by running through London. There is no doubt in the books setting, the author brings the streets of London to life with her descriptions.
This is a very satisfying sequel where the protagonist is struggling with the aftermath of the previous case. The change is noticeable and it is interesting to have a story arc where events have a profound effect on the character, this isn’t the case for Alice and she makes some errors of judgement which to me only served to feel that she is ‘real.’
I am looking forward to the next in this series, The Winter Foundlings published later this month.
sounds like a good series. I’m looking for a nice crime series set in London. I tried The Murder Bag but that was just about so-so. It seems like this series might be just the thing.
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This is much better than The Murder Bag. I’ll be interested to see what you think? Due to the story arcs you are better starting this series with the first one, Crossbones Yard.
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Crossbones Yard is on my TBR list 🙂
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I picked Crossbones Yard due to the link with the historical site in London but it had lots more to offer than just that. I think you need to move it up the list Rebecca!
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This does sound a good one, Cleo – Thanks for sharing about it. It sounds as though there’s a solid mix of home life/work life here, which is not easy to achieve!
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Yes the home life is definitely the backdrop but I was pleased that the earlier events had made a difference to Alice, too often traumatic events are brushed off will little evidence that it has changed the character’s life.
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Sounds like the series is worth continuing with. I saw a pretty positive review of the third one too recently – can’t remember where unfortunately. Hope you enjoy it too! I’m being very firm though…not adding it to the TBR however tempted. I hope you’re impressed!
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I like this new determination not to add to the TBR but don’t believe for one second it will last 😉 I will be reading the third one very soon so I’m glad it got a good review too.
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I have Crossbones Yard on my kindle, debating when to pick it up. You are the first blogger I follow who has reviewed this series, so it is now back on my radar, Thanks!
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I originally chose to read Crossbones Yard because it’s hook was history, which I love, but there is a good mix of personal and plot. I do hope you enjoy this one.
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I’m happy for you that this sequel was as satisfying as the first book. Sometimes a series looses its steam after the first installment.
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Crossbones Yard had a backdrop of history which this one didn’t and I thought the author bridged the gap well, I’m looking forward to the third episode now.
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