This is the fifth book in the «Washington Poe» series, but can be read without prior knowledge.

The characters are complex and intricately crafted, with a wealth of personality and a penchant for individuality. You can tell that the author spent a lot of time with them! DS Washington Poe has assembled an unconventional investigative team, whose quirks and idiosyncrasies miraculously come together to form an effective unit.

However, I found the character of analyst Tilly Bradshaw a bit overdone. Brilliant, yet lacking in social skills, she occasionally seems to embody all the stereotypes a layperson would expect of someone on the autism spectrum. (Note: She is never called autistic, but ticks off all the boxes for all the clichés.) Nevertheless, despite slight reservations, she remains an intriguing character with significant potential.

The writing flows seamlessly: the gritty and fascinating world of detective work meets refined British humor, and M.W. Craven maintains this delicate balance with concise, clear prose. He has a knack for the right pace and intensity to extract the most from his scenes.

The plot is multi-layered, almost like a classic crime novel, yet with original new impulses. It's smart, it's gripping, and for long stretches of the book, I simply couldn't envision a logical resolution – the killer seemed to possess almost supernatural abilities. Yet, in the end, the author skillfully ties it all together.