You Had it Coming by BM Carroll

 

I had to force myself to get out of bed this morning; this book had me hooked! Animals, house cleaning and man (though not necessarily in that order) would just have to wait until I got to the end of the next chapter and then the chapter after that and so on. In other words, I loved this story. The three female protagonists all have interesting occupations: Bridget is a detective sergeant; Megan is a paramedic ambulance officer and Jess is an ex-boxing champ turned trainer. The story is mostly located on Sydney’s north shore and reaches from a crime committed twelve years earlier to the present day.

The characterisations are perfect: everyone has a relevant back story and I got to know and care for them all. Megan and Jess have been through a horrifying experience which has shaped their lives for twelve years since they were teenagers; Bridget, a policewoman, is also a mother of teenage children soon to embark on the process of emerging into the world, post-school years. Everyone involved in the lives of these three is also a fully realised, beautifully drawn character.

A murder is committed and Bridget finds the list of suspects keeps growing. BM Carroll is absolutely brilliant at keeping the reader guessing. All of the suspects have logical reasons for at least wishing the victim harm. The eventual unravelling of the mystery is totally satisfying. This is an intelligent, insightful book and I hope BM Carroll is busy at work on another.

I guess in summary this is a look into our justice system and how it can be manipulated by people who are prepared to get the outcome they want, no matter who is hurt along the way. A big 5 out of 5.

Published by Viper