After He’s Gone (DC Beth Chamberlain #1) by Jane Isaac #CrimeFiction Murder/Mystery @janeisaacauthor

Author: Jane Isaac

Kindle Edition

Category: Crime Fiction, Murder, Mystery, Book Review

You think you know him. Until he’s dead. 

When Cameron Swift is gunned down outside his family home, DC Beth Chamberlain is appointed Family Liaison Officer: a dual role that requires her to support the family, and also investigate them. 

Cameron Swift is shot dead outside his house in a quiet residential area early one Sunday morning, as he put his golf bag in the boot of the car. The biker assassin was gone before anyone saw him, leaving no trace, but not before he took the time to photograph Cameron’s body lying in a pool of blood. Soon afterwards an anonymous tweet appears showing the photo.

DC Beth Chamberlain is called in as part of the homicide team and given the position of Family Liaison Officer. Part of her job is to investigate Cameron’s family to try and discover why he was killed in such a terrible way. Beth and the team have little to work with initially, there seemed to be no possible motive for the murder, but there was more to Cameron Swift than was at first apparent. As more enquiries are made and the case unfolds gradually, the body count increases. Everyone seems to be hiding something, no-one more so than Cameron Swift. 

The tense prologue and opening chapter get the story off to a terrific and suspenseful start.

The moments before death were not at all how she imagined them to be. No images, carved from the recesses of her memory, flashed before her. No celebrated successes or missed opportunities. Instead, an overwhelming fear beat a tune beneath her skin, faster and faster, picking up momentum, immobilising her organs, one by one. 

Where they out there? She risked a fleeting glance at the window. She couldn’t see them, hadn’t heard the soft thrum of their engines in the distance, felt their clandestine footfalls as they crept around the perimeter of the house. But there were children inside, they would be discreet.

After He’s Gone is a solid police procedural with an engaging protagonist. Following the investigation from Beth’s perspective as the family’s liaison officer is a different slant and it was interesting to get to know her on a personal level as well as a professional one, as she tries to keep the two separate. They do overlap however, causing her some problems. Beth is dedicated in her work and has good people skills, which help with the family/relationship side of the investigation.

The plot flows realistically with the steady progress I’d imagine a real police investigation would face. Beth initially felt she was being sidelined but soon realised her position as a supporting FLO gives her a different angle on the case and puts her in a position to suss out the family, as she tries to discover who Cameron Swift really was and uncover the motive for his murder. As the plot unfolds many questions are raised leading to unexpected answers and Beth isn’t one to hold back if she thinks something needs to be addressed. Secrets and lies are plentiful and are woven into the plot skilfully, leading to a surprise conclusion. A really good start to a new series.

Book links ~ Amazon UK | Amazon US

About the Author

Jane Isaac is married to a serving detective and they live in rural Northamptonshire, UK with their daughter, and dog, Bollo. Jane’s debut novel, An Unfamiliar Murder, introduces DCI Helen Lavery and was nominated as best mystery in the ‘eFestival of Words Best of the Independent eBook awards 2013.’ The Truth Will Out, the second in the DCI Helen Lavery series, was nominated as ‘Thriller of the Month – April 2014’ by E-thriller.com and winner of ‘Noveltunity book club selection – May 2014’. Jane’ s seventh novel, Presumed Guilty, is the second in the highly acclaimed DC Beth Chamberlain (Family Liaison Officer) series. The third DC Beth Chamberlain novel is scheduled for release in 2019, along with a new DCI Helen Lavery novel.

Author links ~ Website | Facebook | Twitter