The Drowning Ground (Guillermo Downes Thriller) - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0718179102 ISBN 13: 9780718179106

Publisher: Michael Joseph/Penguin Books, 1749

Synopsis

Chief Inspector Guillermo Downes is a long way from his native home of Argentina, heading up the police department in the English Cotswolds. But he isn't far enough to escape the memories of his past, or to lost the baggage he carries from the loss of two weeks to go missing-Downes makes a promise to the child's mother to find her no matter what it takes.

Ten years later, that promise remains unfulfilled. And though the girls are never far from his thoughts, the job goes on. The body of a local man, Frank Hurst, has just been found dead, sprawled on a hill in town. Frank Hurst also had a past. His second wife drowned in their swimming pool and his daughter, Rebecca, left home soon after. Downes remembers the case well. And although many in the town think Frank murdered his wife, his alibi was confirmed. Still, it now seems that there might be a connection between Frank and the missing girls, which might give Chief Inspector Downes another chance to make good on the promise he made all those years ago.

With the kind of insights into life in a seemingly peaceful village that made "Broadchurch" so powerful, James Marrison's "The Drowning Ground" introduces a terrific new voice in crime fiction.

About this title

About the Author:

JAMES MARRISON is a journalist with a Master's degree in history, specializing in American Secret Intelligence, from the University of Edinburgh in England. Marrison was a regular contributor to "Bizarre "magazine in the UK, where he wrote about true crime, and he also wrote for an English language newspaper in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he now lives. "The Drowning Ground "is his first novel.

Review:

“With an intricate plot with numerous twists and an intriguing cop with a complex history, Marrison rivets the reader straight through to the novel’s chilling conclusion. An author to watch, [Marrison] scores high with this impressive debut.” ―Richmond Times-Dispatch

“Something wicked is afoot in Marrison's tense debut, set in the quiet picturesque villages of the English Cotswolds. . . . Marrison, who was educated at the University of Edinburgh and now lives in Buenos Aires, expertly evokes a sense of place through descriptions of Cotswolds life. [Chief Inspector Guillermo] Downes's reminiscences of his Argentinian heritage lend color. The highly unusual denouement will catch most readers by surprise.” ―Publishers Weekly

“Marrison leaves just enough unexplained about his shrewd, moody protagonist to make you hope he'll return in a sequel.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Downes is an intriguing fish-out-of-water detective...Marrison's well-plotted mystery debut may appeal to fans of Elizabeth George and Peter Robinson.” ―Booklist

“An intriguing debut....Taut and told with panache.” ―The Daily Mail

About this edition

• Publisher: Michael Joseph/Penguin Books
• Publication date: 1749
• ISBN 10: 0718179102
• ISBN 13: 9780718179106
• Binding: Hardcover