Sea Rift, the fifth book in the beloved Castleby Series from JM Simpson, opens with a shattering event; a woman running screaming through the woods in search of her baby, a man dead, hanging from a tree.
There is a newcomer to the seaside town of Castleby, Nathaniel Bennett or Nate to his friends, and like previous newcomers to the kind, caring community, he is in search of a much needed place to heal, to begin again. He is desperately hoping his wife will be able to settle there after the death of their stillborn baby.
The death, which looks like murder rather than suicide, lands on Detective Steve Millar’s desk which, upon further investigation seems like the work of an organised crime syndicate. His first call is to Pearl, wife of the local Crime Syndicate boss, Mickey to find out what, if anything they know about the style of killing carried out and the message it conveys.
Pandora’s Box is opened wide, leading to one of the most intriguing plots to date in the Castleby Series, as it combines the utter ruthlessness of organised crime, turf warfare, murder, the sad tragedy of stillborn births and the psychological effect on the mother, into an unforgettable story.
Once again the characters and the plot are well crafted, the suspense is chilling as Mickey Camorra’s life hangs in the balance, Pearl is out to seek justice and a little boy is caught in the ugliness of drug related crime.
If Steve’s life is not already complicated enough, the theft of a baby from the local Hospital Maternity ward is a distraction he really does not need.
Foxy is also having to face the death of his ex-wife and not doing too well. He is deeply in love with Sophie, the widow of his Army mate Sam, but is very reluctant to let her know. They are besties and he feels it is better to leave things like that right now. But is this the right thing to do?
Mikes Youngs’ old and what he considers forever love Olivia, has returned to town in a disastrous marriage and wants to reconnect with Mike. Her stepson Eli is rescued by the Castleby Lifeboat crew from a small boat in very choppy seas. As the days pass her actions cause Mike to reflect on what or who she has possibly become, and what she is really doing back in Castleby.
All the threads come together in an explosive conclusion which leaves the door wide open for more from Castleby, hopefully in the not too far distant future
