The Raven's Eye by Barry Maitland, a Mysterious Review.

Review: Detective Inspector Kathy Kolla is called to investigate a suspicious death, which is later ruled to be an accident, but she's not sure the case should be closed so easily in The Raven's Eye, the twelfth mystery in this series by Barry Maitland.

Vicky Hawke is found dead in her houseboat, which was moored with many others in the canals around greater London. The Paddington Police initially request the assistance of Scotland Yard, but after Kolla and her partner Detective Sergeant Mickey Shaeffer arrive, they apologize and say no help is needed; she died from carbon monoxide poisoning from an improperly installed heating system. Kolla and Shaeffer take a look around anyway, and confirm their conclusions and yet something about the situation bothers Kolla. She wants to continue to investigate, but the new commander of her division officially closes the case. Her immediate supervisor, DCI David Brock, approves of her working the case on her own time, and even offers to help. Meanwhile, a serial killer is at large, and Kolla is ordered to pose as a potential target in order to trap him.

The Raven's Eye is a multi-layered crime novel, centered primarily on DI Kathy Kolla while DCI Brock deals with the new commander and all the politics that accompany any change in leadership. The multiple storylines are interesting in and of themselves, but how they are interwoven makes for an exceptionally satisfying mystery. But it is the characters, both the recurring lead and supporting cast, which make this investigation so enjoyable; they are realistic and likeable, even approachable. The villains are well drawn and interesting in their own way. Readers who enjoy mysteries with unexpected twists and turns will most certainly take to this one.

Special thanks to guest reviewer Betty of The Betz Review for contributing her review of The Raven's Eye.

Acknowledgment: Minotaur Books provided a copy of The Raven's Eye for this review.

Chelsea Mansions
Minotaur Books (Hardcover), October 2011
ISBN-13: 9780312600662; ISBN-10: 0312600666

The Raven's Eye

A Brock and Kolla Mystery by Barry Maitland