Saturday, December 28, 2024

A Voice in the Night

A Voice in the Night by Simon Mason
1/21/25; 368 pages
Mobius
DI Ryan Wilkins #4

A Voice in the Night by Simon Mason is a highly recommended procedural and investigative mystery. This is the fourth novel in the series featuring DI Ryan Wilkins but can be enjoyed as a standalone.

At St Aldates police station experienced incoming DCS Rebecca Wainwright is reading notes on her new team, specifically about partners DI Ryan Wilkins and DI Ray Wilkins. Dependable DI Hare is investigating the murder of a security guard at the Pelzer Institute of Egyptology, so when the call comes in concerning an elderly man found dead outside a hotel in Sandford, she assigns Ryan and Ray to the case. It becomes clear to Ryan quickly that this was no heart attack.

Then the pair learn that Greta Emmett was awaken by a call at 3:35 am alerting her that her husbands fall alarm had gone off. She can't find him anywhere in the house or yard and reported him missing. She arrives at the scene outside the hotel and identifies the dead man as her husband, Linguistics Professor Joe Emmett. Adding more concerns is the organized shoplifting at the Co-Op where Jade, Ryan's sister works. when Jade confronted the gang, they threatened Jade, her daughter, and Ryan's son, little Ryan.

A Voice in the Night is a well-written, expertly plotted, twisty, and sometimes humorous procedural. It keeps up a quick pace throughout as clues in the cases are logically followed and the investigations all become increasingly complicated. This is an excellent choice for those who enjoy procedurals and following the clues in the investigation.

Ryan and Ray are under pressure to prove themselves to their new DCS, a woman who expects excellence and rule following. Considering the complete opposites that they are, Ryan struggles with the expectations and Ray worries about following them. There is a nice integration of their personal lives into the plot and some earth-shattering disclosures.

Thanks to Mobius for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

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