Having read Alan Johnson's memoirs and interviewed him about them on stage a number of times, I was curious but slow to come to his novels. What a treat this was!

We begin by meeting a contract killer as he plots his new job. As we're introduced to a government minister, and then an assistant commissioner with the Met, we speculate on what the killer is planning. But the author is one step ahead of us all the time.

The government minister holidays in Crete with his family but disappears on a hiking trip. Louise Mangan, the assistant commissioner is taken away from her duties in London, where she has been preparing for the controversial visit of a Turkish author, to investigate the disappearance, and must work with the Greek police. The press are soon to expose a scandal and it seems everyone has something to hide.

It's a brilliant read. Every element of it is intriguing and appealing, and lightly but authoritatively drawn. We are in safe hands and are delighted with every turn of the page. Loved it!