mikeyppl

When Hadiyyah Upman disappears from London in the company of her mother, Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers is as devastated as the girl's father. They are her close friends as well as neighbours, but since the child is with her mother, nothing can be done. Five months later, Hadiyyah is kidnapped from an open air market in Lucca, Italy, and this triggers an investigation in the full glare of the media spotlight. Barbara's clever manipulation of the worst of London's tabloids forces New Scotland Yard to become involved. But rather than Barbara herself, her superior officer DI Thomas Lynley is assigned to handle a situation made delicate by racial issues, language difficulties, and the determination of an Italian magistrate to arrest and convict someone - anyone - for the crime.

A tremendous addition to the DI Lynley series. The book bounces back and forth between England and Italy but the author does a great job of keeping the story moving. DS Havers is again bending and breaking rules but it is great to see her caring so much for another person. Lynley also seems to be getting over the loss of his wife and returning to his old self. The Italian police officer in the story is a good character and his take on DS Havers is refreshing. I've read other reviews and some people seem to feel that the book is too long but with the excellent writing I felt quite the opposite. Once again the ending is not a feel good one but quite realistic. I can hardly wait to see what awaits Lynley and Havers next.