THE RECKONING (John Madden #4)
Rennie Airth
Viking Penguin
August 2014
It is always a red-letter day for me when I hear of a new book in the John Madden series from Rennie Airth. They are so few and far between and I have been a fan since River of Darkness (1999). The structure of the series is very interesting as it spans the years from the early 1920's until this latest, The Reckoning, set in 1947.
The Reckoning begins with Oswald Gibson, retired bank manager, fishing at his favorite spot. The peace of the afternoon is shattered when he is approached, forced to kneel and shot execution style. Who could have wanted to kill such a inoffensive individual, and in such a way? DI Billy Styles of Scotland Yard is called in when this killing is linked to an earlier one in Scotland; a doctor was killed in his office with the same type of distinctive bullet. When Gibson's brother finds an unfinished letter to the Yard asking about John Madden, Billy's old chief, Billy wastes no time in asking for his help. Madden left the Yard years ago when he married but Billy know he could be of great help. The killings continue but Madden and Billy are hot on the trail of a most unusual killer.
The Madden books revolve around the effects of war on Britain from WWI to WWII. The Reckoning circles back to an event in WWI that Madden was involved in and has resolutely tried to forget. As always Airth brings life in Britain in the period to vivid life. His characters are unforgettable. I especially appreciate the addition of Lily Poole, first seen in The Dead of Winter. Lily is an ambitious female Detective Constable, one of the first to navigate the treacherous waters of the male dominated Yard. The Reckoning is a great read that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and mystery. Reading the first three books is not a requirement but adds to the overall enjoyment.
I received this book as part of the First to Read Program in return for an honest review. Thanks!
RATING- 4.5 stars
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