Book Review: The Man In The Wall by KJ Lyttleton

It is always nice to meet someone in a pub who says "I've written my first book!" - so, naturally, I picked up Katie's novel as my next read. I'm glad that I did as it's a cracking crime story.

It starts slowly, with a brilliantly observed satire of office life. The gossip, banal slogans, venal senior managers, and work-shy grifters are all there and jump off the page. You'll have met all of them if you've ever spent a moment in a modern open-plan office. It swiftly picks up the pace with a lively sense of urgency and just a touch of melodrama.

I don't want to say it is a cosy mystery because, after all, it does deal with a pretty brutal death. But it is all small-town intrigue and low-stakes pettifoggery. The corruption may be going all the way to the top (of the municipal council).

The protagonist is, thankfully, likeable and proactive. Unlike some other crime novels, she's not super-talented or ultra-intelligent; she's just doggedly persistent.

It all comes together in a rather satisfying conclusion with just the right amount of twist.

The sequel - A Star Is Dead - is out shortly.