M. W. CRAVEN – The Puppet Show. Constable, UK, hardcover, June 2018; paperback, 2019. Washington Poe/Tilly Bradshaw #1. Setting: Cumbria, Lake District. Winner of the CWA Gold Dagger Award for Best Crime Novel of the year.

First Sentence: The stone circle is an ancient, tranquil place.

   Serial killer, the “Immolation Man,” leaves the remains of each victim within one of the stone circles of Cumbria. Each victim is an elderly man who has been disfigured and burned; no other connection has been found. What sets the latest killing apart is that Poe’s name has been carved in the victim’s chest.

   Director of Intelligence Edward van Zel has lifted Detective Washington Poe’s suspension from the Serious Crimes Unit, but has made DI Stephanie Flynn the new head of the National Crime Agency (NCA), Poe’s old post. Tilly Bradshaw has a personality disorder, lives with her mother, never leaves the office, is bullied by others, and is a brilliant data analyst assigned to work with Poe. The challenge is for Poe and Tilly to stop the “Immolation Man” before he kills again, and again.

   Readers: Be warned — this book is dark, with descriptions and themes that become increasingly so as the story progresses.

   Craven begins by turning a place usually thought of as magical, into one of fear and horror, constantly increasing the tension throughout very well-timed plot twists and a red-herring or two. The fascinating forensic and analytic work described moves the story forward at a breath-catching clip. Craven’s writing is compelling. Even at the darkest parts, one never wants to stop. There is always that sense of wanting to know more; seeing where the path lead; whether will justice be done, and even questioning what constitutes justice.

   What truly makes this book work is the characters. Yes, they are rather stereotypical, but one doesn’t care. Poe, the rule-breaker with a soft heart, will do whatever it takes to solve the case. Tilly, the brilliant, clever, possibly autistic sidekick, is genuinely appreciated for the first time in her career, is given a chance to spread her wings and show her talents. As a team, they are quirky, delightful, and you cheer for them every step of the way.

   The trail Craven lays for Poe and Tilly to follow is fascinating, wonderfully atmospheric, and exciting. It is filled with a plethora of interesting information along the way. It includes a side path with the history of Poe’s name which one assumes with have more relevance later in the series. One small point: a glossary of all the acronyms would have been helpful.

   The Puppet Show is dark, twisty, suspenseful, filled with great characters, and one of the most gratifying endings of late. However, the best part is knowing there are for Poe and Tilly books yet to be read.

Rating: Excellent.

      The Washington Poe & Tilly Bradshaw series —

The Puppet Show (2018)
Black Summer (2019)
The Curator (2020)
Cut Short (collection, 2020)
Dead Ground (2021)
The Botanist (2022)
The Cutting Season (novella, 2022)