The Departed By Sarah Mellor
No peace for the living if you can’t bury your dead…
Liverpool, 1979: new CID recruit Leigh Borrowdale is seconded to a baffling murder inquiry. In a decaying dock building, a body lies bound and seemingly undisturbed for years. Re-opening missing persons’ cases to track down the identity of the victim, Leigh comes into contact with the disappeared of a city living through its darkest days of the winter of discontent. As she faces her own family demons and battles the male-dominated world at work, she discovers a connection to two boys feared drowned in the Mersey and links to the murky Liverpool underworld. Through it all her only ally is her colleague, DS Des Chung, who knows as well as Leigh what it means to be an outsider in the police force.
The Silent Places By Sarah Mellor
Who dares speak up for the dead?
Liverpool, 1981: DS Leigh Borrowdale has a problem with justice. Or rather, the lack of it. Not only has she just watched a man she’s convinced is a killer walk free from court, but she must also try to keep going despite the lack of leads into the fate of her own missing brother.
But Leigh’s life is about to change forever. Former partner – at work and outside it – DI Des Chung, is trying to help, but some things Leigh must face alone. It’s a man’s world and she’s used to fighting her corner – but now she’s got more to lose than ever before.
As temperatures rise in the city, a bad man dies and Leigh knows that even the wicked deserve answers. While over in Toxteth, the streets are burning, Leigh and Des must find a way to work together to speak for the voiceless, face their own past and find out the truth before more people die.
The Silent Places is the second book in the Detective Leigh Borrowdale crime series, following on from The Departed.
‘‘A clever crime thriller with a historical slant with well-developed characters and set in the best city in the world. Would 100% recommend.’
‘The plot has a freshness rarely seen in current books of the genre’
‘Absolutely loved this brilliantly written and compelling debut novel … with relatable characters the twists and turns keep you guessing right till the end.’
‘I loved the twists and turns of the plot which kept me totally engaged right through to the end. Well researched and brilliantly written.’
‘The plot is very cleverly constructed with plenty of satisfying twists and turns, right up to the end.’
‘One of the best books I’ve read for a long time.’
‘The author imbues the text with a profoundly intelligent psychological depth. A brilliant curtain raiser to a literary career.’