Shorestone Murders, by Karina Evans

Characters

For the purposes of this review, I’ve decided to focus on four of the lead cast; the mysterious killer, Detective Sergeant Isobel Hester, Detective Inspector Dominic White, and their colleague Heather.

The Shorestone killer is introduced to us immediately as someone who gets a sick sense of enjoyment out of strangling women to death. Over time, we learn that he has a persistent obsession with Isobel Hester, although it is not initially made clear to us why this is the case. We know they are a man as the passages from his point of view are prefaced by the title HIM. I actually had a lot of fun trying to figure out who the killer was and was not surprised at the end. (No spoilers here, I promise.)

Detective Sergeant Isobel Hester is a woman who has been hardened by the world she has grown up in. She had a tumultuous past and seemed particularly guarded once she returned to Shorestone. Initially, she seemed impatient and blunt, and not at all likable as a character. However, as time progressed, I came to know more of her past and of the tragedies that helped to shape her current sense of self. For example, we learn that she blames herself for her brother’s death, something which would no doubt change a person forever. In addition to this, we learn that Isobel had a child, whom she abandoned in Shorestone twenty or so years ago, a daughter named Scarlett. Initially, Isobel begins the story attempting to reconnect with Scarlett but not feeling she could be a capable mother. However, as the story unfolds, Isobel learns to shake off her fears and is eventually able to solidify her relationship with her daughter.

Detective Inspector Dominic White is an older officer with an obsession for coffee. Planning to retire in nine years time, he likely didn’t anticipate receiving a new murder case in the quiet seaside town of Shorestone. Dominic showed himself to be a cautious, loyal, and determined individual, always thinking things through and helping out his friends and colleagues when they were in need. He knows tragedy all too well as he lost his wife and children in a car crash previously, something which made me deeply sympathise with his character. Overall, he was a reliable and friendly character, the type of person you’d want on your side when things get tough.

Heather was an interesting addition to the story. She has an intense dislike for Isobel because of past events which transpired between them, and she has never forgiven Isobel since. She plans to get revenge on Isobel and is jealous of the growing bond Isobel has with Dominic, a man whom Heather is desperately in love with. Heather presents as a very bitter woman, with no family or real friends of her own. Her loneliness is further explored as the story continues, reaching a high point when she considers taking her own life. Additionally, Heather’s past point of view helps to show us an alternative view of Isobel, to show the kind of state she was in as a young woman, and how she treated people in her past, even if she doesn’t remember doing so. Although I disliked Heather for the most part, I could also empathise with her plight and could see the speck of goodness that lay within her bitter exterior.