Web of Lies by Sally Rigby
A trail of secrets. A dangerous discovery. A deadly turn.
Police officer Sebastian Clifford never planned on becoming a private investigator. But when a scandal leads to the disbandment of his London based special squad, he finds himself out of a job. That is, until his cousin calls on him to investigate her husband’s high-profile death, and prove that it wasn’t a suicide.
Clifford’s reluctant to get involved, but the more he digs, the more evidence he finds. With his ability to remember everything he's ever seen, he's the perfect person to untangle the layers of deceit.
He meets Detective Constable Bird, an underutilised detective at Market Harborough’s police force, who refuses to give him access to the records he’s requested unless he allows her to help with the investigation. Clifford isn't thrilled. The last time he worked as part of a team it ended his career.
But with time running out, Clifford is out of options. Together they must wade through the web of lies in the hope that they’llfind the truth before it kills them.
Web of Lies is the first in the new Detective Sebastian Clifford series. Perfect for readers of Joy Ellis, Robert Galbraith and Mark Dawson.
About Sally Rigby:
Sally Rigby was born in Northampton, in the UK. She has always had the travel bug, and after living in both Manchester and London, eventually moved overseas. From 2001 she has lived with her family in New Zealand (apart from five years in Australia), which she considers to be the most beautiful place in the world. After writing young adult fiction for many years, under a pen name, Sally decided to move into crime fiction. Her Cavendish & Walker series brings together two headstrong, and very different, women - DCI Whitney Walker, and forensic psychologist Dr Georgina Cavendish. Sally has a background in education, and has always loved crime fiction books, films and TV programmes. She has a particular fascination with the psychology of serial killers.
Check out her website for a FREE prequel story..... www.sallyrigby.com
Review
‘Web of Lies’ is the first in a new series for Sally that follows the character of Seb Clifford. We were introduced to him in the last Cavendish and Walker book and I have to say I love this one! I think I might be a little in love with Seb. Sigh.
Seb is no longer working for the Met as the after effects of his case going belly up, meant the only role being offered to him was back in uniform so he made the decision to leave. We find him at the funeral for his cousin’s husband - he has been made to attend as the rest of his family can't be seen there as they have a reputation to uphold. Oh yeah did I mention that Seb is from the aristocracy and his father is a Viscount?! Daniel had recently committed suicide as he was behind a Ponzi scheme that went wrong. However, his cousin is sure it wasn't suicide and wants Seb to investigate the circumstances behind his death - he can't really say no. He ends up meeting and teaming up with DC Lucinda Bird aka Birdie who I must say is a brilliant addition to this series.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and devoured it in one sitting. The pacing was terrific, the plotting was superb, and I was hooked right from the start. Both characters - Seb and Birdie were breaths of fresh air. Seb is kind, compassionate, intelligent and loves a good book and dogs. What more is there to love?! He comes across as quite a particular man which is why the character of Birdie is an amazing juxtaposition. She is rash, bold, always late, doesn't filter what she says, is also fiercely intelligent and determined to show this. I honestly believe that they are going to be a great partnership and I am waiting eagerly for the next in the series!
This was a brilliant debut series opener - it hit all the right notes of being a police procedural with a twist. It has the grounding of two great lead characters, a great backstory and the potential to bloom into an exceptional series. This has been my favourite book by Sally so far! Roll on the next one.
