Necessary as Blood

[callmemadam]

Another Deborah Crombie novel from the library. This one is set in the East End around Spitalfields, which makes a terrific background. A young woman with everything to live for vanishes, last seen at the Columbia Road market. The police aren't very interested until her husband also disappears. Gemma James gets involved almost by accident and then feels very protective towards the couple's three year old daughter. It's off his patch but Gemma's partner Duncan Kincaid gets the case and as ever their private and personal lives are mixed up. In vibrant, ever-changing, multi-cultural east London there are secrets as horrifying as any from the past. The chase to find the murderer and protect little Charlotte is gripping but as before I'm far less interested in Gemma's and Duncan's problems. A shame, because it means this can never be a favourite series, although I'm enjoying the books.

The blog Spitalfields Life has some wonderful photos of the settings for this book.


photo from Wikipedia

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

And I adore the couple! :<) (as well as the series)

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

I'd probably get on better with them If I'd been able to start the series at the beginning. I'm certainly going to read as many as I can find.

[gwendraith.livejournal.com]

That book appeals to me a lot (half my London ancestors are from that part of the East End). I shall add it to my reading list :)

The old photos on the blog are terrific.

Thank you for my sunflower. It was sweet of you :)

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

I was actually born in Bethnal Green. Don't remember anyhing about it but it makes me interested in the area and I'm quite proud of being a cockney.

You're very welcome:-) I was also sent one; a cheerful sight on a dreary day.

[gghost.livejournal.com]

I love Dreaming of the Bones from this series.

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

I look forward to reading it!