Book Review: Dying to Sin by Stephen Booth

Well since we were speaking of sorrow earlier.....

Synopsis:

You never know what you might uncover …

While digging the foundation for the conversion of an old farmyard into upscale stables, builders unearth a human hand preserved in clay. Suddenly suspicious, the police explore further and find not one body, but two.

To crack a case that's even colder than the ground, detectives Cooper and Fry must look into the past of the eerily named Pity Wood Farm. But there is no obvious reason why the previous owners, two elderly brothers, would have corpses buried on their land. With little to go on but a collection of old bones, Cooper and Fry search desperately for a clue as to who-or what-brings death to Pity Wood Farm.

Review:

As you know, I adore this British series! Cooper and Fry are so opposite of each other, yet in every book, they have grown to admire the other person more, and to adjust to their quirks and really mature together within their jobs. Pretty much like real life co-workers do! But having said that, this book's ghastly setting and a case that seems hopeless, echoes what is going on in Fry's personal life, and makes one wonder, how much longer she will remain in the Peak District, and what affect that will have on Cooper and the rest of her team. While the seemingly unsolvable mystery was working itself out, the book offers the reader a more intimate character study of not only the 2 leads, but of the people surrounding them. When the case is wrapped up, the reader know what a great team of personalities has been assembled and wonders if they shall remain assembled. The author doesn't pull any punches, the mystery is nicely wrapped up and may provide a surprise, or two, for the reader, but he eaves you wondering about the team, and eager for the next book! Something every author strives for!

If you haven't picked up this great series yet, then I would recommend starting at the beginning, only because it allows the reader to watcher the evolution of Cooper and Fry's relationship, and better understand their actions in each story!. Consider it your Summer reading program, to get caught up on the whole series! LOL

About the Author:

Stephen Booth is an award winning British crime writer, the creator of two young Derbyshire police detectives, DC Ben Cooper and DS Diane Fry, who have appeared in twelve novels set in England’s beautiful and atmospheric Peak District. Stephen has been a Gold Dagger finalist, an Anthony Award nominee, twice winner of a Barry Award for Best British Crime Novel, and twice shortlisted for the Theakston’s Crime Novel of the Year. Ben Cooper was a finalist for the Sherlock Award for the best detective created by a British author, and in 2003 the Crime Writers’ Association presented Stephen with the Dagger in the Library Award for “the author whose books have given readers the most pleasure”.

The Cooper & Fry series is published all around the world, and has been translated into 15 languages. For more info check out Boone's website and Twitter pages for more on the author and the series!