Title: Hope to Die

Author: Cara Hunter

Genre: Crime

Publisher: Penguin

Publication date: 21st July 2022

My rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Summary:

“It looks like a burglary gone wrong, but DI Adam Fawley suspects there’s something more to it.

When the police discover a connection to a high-profile case from years ago, involving a child’s murder and an alleged miscarriage of justice, the press go wild.

Suddenly Fawley’s team are under more scrutiny than ever before. And when you dig up the past, you’re sure to find a few skeletons…”

My review:

Similar to the past books in the series, the sixth addition to the DI Adam Fawley series promises to deliver from the very start. This time, the Oxfordshire Police struggle to put the pieces together when a strange case of what at first appears to be a burglary gone wrong reaches their department. DI Fawley and his team work to solve the puzzle and create a timeline that spans decades and involves a family tragedy and many red herrings.

While the storytelling and plot did not seem as clear cut as some of the past books in the series, the recurring protagonists continued to inspire with their impressive police work and fascinate with their deep and complex personalities. By now it truly feels like we as readers are part of the family as we follow each character through their highs and lows. I was delighted that after all the hardships, DI Adam Fawley is now more established in his career and personal life. 

The plot of Hope to Die is riveting and intense with many twists and a steady pace as the team of investigators tries to understand how the victim and those around him are interconnected. Cara Hunter is an expert at keeping the reader on their toes, constantly building up the tension before each twist until the very end where all the questions are finally answered. 

Hope to Die is a brilliant crime story from beginning to end. It boasts a solid set of characters, both past and new, and a steady-paced plot that delivers on all fronts. It is the perfect read for those who are new to the genre and want to try out a crime fiction book as well as avid fans of the genre who are looking for a reliable book that will not disappoint.