- ASIN: B0CL7PCXDR
- Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
- Publication date: 13 Oct. 2023
- Language: English
- Print length: 318 pages
- ISBN-13: 978-1035813285
- Genre: Crime Mystery Fiction
The BookViral Review:
Julie D. Jones delivers another strong read in A Gathering of Angels, the fifth compelling installment in her Moorland Forensics series. Set against the brooding backdrop of rural Devon, the novel blends atmospheric suspense, forensic detail, and layered character development to deliver a crime thriller that is as emotionally resonant as it is gripping.
The story centers on the decades-old death of Elliott McCarthy, a 15-year-old schoolboy whose body was found in the River Dart. Initially assumed to be an accidental drowning, the case is reexamined after new forensic findings point to a chilling truth: Elliott was murdered. As the Moorland Forensics team dig deeper, they uncover disturbing secrets involving power, silence, and the failure of trusted institutions.
Katie Sinclair, a familiar figure from previous books in the series, remains a key presence but not the focal point this time. While she continues to bring intuition, emotional intelligence, and a strong moral compass to the forensics team, her role is more observational and supportive than in earlier installments. Still, her interactions—particularly with new pathologist Lucinda Gaillard—add depth and intrigue, especially as Katie grows suspicious of Lucinda’s background and motives.
The novel introduces a range of memorable characters, each rendered with care and complexity. Among them is Myles Betteridge, a former teacher at the elite St Luke’s Boys’ Grammar School, now a successful novelist. His past involvement in the school’s inner workings, particularly around the time of Elliott’s disappearance, casts a long shadow over his present life. Myles’ introspective journey—alongside his wife, pathologist Margo Betteridge—adds a poignant thread to the narrative as the couple wrestles with old secrets and professional obligations.
Jones’ storytelling is structurally sophisticated, shifting between timelines, locations, and perspectives with impressive clarity. From a war-torn 1970s Bangladesh to present-day forensic labs and rural crime scenes, each narrative strand contributes to a cohesive, unsettling whole. A parallel storyline involving a disturbed stalker adds psychological weight and expands the novel’s thematic scope, touching on trauma, obsession, and the nature of evil.
One of Jones’ great strengths lies in her ability to balance procedural detail with emotional insight. The forensic scenes are credible and well-paced, grounded in realistic methods and language. At the same time, she doesn’t shy away from the emotional toll of death investigations—on families, investigators, and communities alike.
Though slower in pace than some traditional thrillers, A Gathering of Angels rewards patient readers with a complex, morally nuanced story. It examines not just who committed the crime, but how and why people choose to stay silent—and what it costs them.
Jones once again proves that crime fiction can be both intellectually satisfying and emotionally rich. With its layered narrative, strong ensemble cast, and haunting themes, A Gathering of Angels is a must-read for fans of thoughtful, character-driven mysteries and highly recommended.
