Rating: 4/5
Review:
Good but flawed
This is, for most of the book, a well-written, well plotted and gripping thriller centering on a private missing persons enquiry and a police investigation into multiple disappearances and possible murders. I found the central character a believable and engaging narrator and much of the story engrossing. In particular, the early parts of the book are excellent with slow, meticulous research revealing tantalising and interesting clues about the disappearance. There are also some rather good character insights and a well-drawn sense of place, especially on the London Underground.
I must say that, in spite of all the qualities of the book, I found it ultimately rather unsatisfying and in places very irritating. It is difficult to say exactly why without undesirable spoilers, but I lost count of the number of times I mentally shouted "Go to the police!" and the reasons for not doing so were ludicrously flimsy. I also got very fed up with the absurd, overblown ending which would have been far better without the implausible "twists".
This is still a recommendable four-star thriller but could have been much better with a bit more restraint.
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