Secrets on the Fens

This is one of those series that I've always meant to read and, to my shame, it's taken me until now to actually get there. When two young people's are discovered dead in the woods, DI Nikki Galena and DS Joe Easter land the case. The bodies are so obviously posed that they quickly dub them Romeo and Juliet. As it is confirmed that they were killed elsewhere then moved to where they were found, another two are discovered in different, but similar, circumstances and Nikki just knows they have a serial killer on their patch. The clock is ticking as the team work to discover who the murderer is before they get the chance to strike again. It's not always easy to join a well established series, but this is an excellent stand-alone read with such a lot going on. There is just the right amount of personal and professional in the investigating team which is full of intriguing characters. This isn't an easy one to solve; with lots of possibilities, Nikki and Joe have their work cut out but they get there by sharing the jobs methodically with the others and they all knuckle down to track the information needed to get to the crux of the matter. As with all the best crime thrillers, they end up with more than one thing on their plate, but work diligently to solve everything. It rather took me by surprise when the guilty party was finally revealed! With the bonus of a side mystery also going on, this is an intricate, intelligent puzzle, all thoroughly enjoyable and definitely a series to follow - who knows, I may even find time to read the previous novels! Recommended, and one I'm happy to give 4.5*.