Buried Little, Brown

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Author: Mark Billingham
Publisher: Little, Brown

REVIEW:

Teenager Luke Mullen, son of a former police officer, goes missing. Police feel it’s a kidnap situation and do their utmost to make sure the case is solved as quickly as possible. However, certain evidence has been hidden by Luke’s parents, and this hinders the investigation. Detective Inspector Tom Thorne senses something is amiss with Luke’s parents right from the start, but he can’t quite put his finger on it.

A sub-plot weaves through the book regarding the murder of an Asian youngster. A suspect—a cocky youth who got on my nerves (I wanted to hurt him quite badly)—brings the element of ‘teeth gritting’ to the read. Though he annoyed me, his character gave Buried a sharper edge than had he not been present.

Also fascinating is the aspect of different perspectives. We see the tale unfold not only through the eyes of Tom Thorne, but other officers, and also Luke and his kidnappers. All given a nice scene or section of their own.

I didn’t suspect the kidnapper at all, and with some deliciously dark images, Buried has become one of my favourite books. I have no complaints at all.