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Original Skin by David Mark (view source)
Revision as of 10:38, 19 August 2020
, 10:38, 19 August 2020no edit summary
{{infoboxinfobox1
|title=Original Skin
|author=David Mark
|date=January 2014
|isbn=978-0857389787
|website=http://www.david-markdavidmarkwriter.co.uk/|videocover=0857389785|amazonukaznuk=<amazonuk>0857389785</amazonuk>|amazonusaznus=<amazonus>0857389785</amazonus>B009P1WDU0
}}
It's a problem which is worrying his best friend Suzie Devlin too. They were just friends - Simon was gay - but the loss has affected Suzie deeply. She has a striking tattoo too - blossoms and lilies adorn her shoulder - and she's still involved in the swinging scene - the dogging, the sex parties - but it's a shock when she realises that someone is trying to kill her.
I regularly complain about the fictional detective stereotypes. Unless you're alcoholic (even if functioning), a womaniser and at loggerheads with anyone who's in authority then it's unlikely that you're going to make the bestseller lists. So it's refreshing to meet a young man who doesn't drink to excess (although he does swear when provoked - he's not a complete saint...), loves his wife and gets on well with his (female) boss. He's big, red-headed and straight as a die, but there's a bit of traveller background for both him and his wife, Roisin. For Roisin though it's more recent and the connections haven't been entirely severed. There's a neat use of the traveller connection but it's not overdone and it's done with reasonable sensitivity.
The [[The Dark Winter by David Mark|first book]] in the series was always going to be a difficult act to follow but David Mark has allowed his characters to mature and that's pleasing to see. This book was perhaps a little too long for my taste but it's a minor quibble and I was impressed by the neat twist at the end. I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag.
If this book appeals then you might also enjoy [[Morning Frost by James Henry]].
[[David Mark's DS McAvoy Novels in Chronological Order]]
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