- ASIN: B098B9J9JN
- Publisher: Blossom Spring Publishing (21 July 2021)
- Language: English
- Print length: 246 pages
- Genre: Police Procedural
The BookViral Review:
A well-constructed and thought-provoking police procedural that maintains a prevailing sense of suspense and authenticity throughout character development and intelligent storytelling are the two ingredients that make Retribution an exceptionally good read.
While procedurals don’t typically focus heavily on their characters, the best have proven that strong characters are indispensable when it comes to building a long-lasting readership and it’s something Wilson has wholeheartedly embraced.
On this level Retribution reveals itself to have much more on its mind than expected, giving us a thoughtful meditation on the rigours of police work and the inevitable toll that it takes on the psyche with Wilson demanding his readers pay attention to details and think about the motivations and circumstances that surround the multiple characters. Indeed, as Retribution’s narrative advances, readers will find themselves caring not only about Wilson’s principal detectives but about victims and perpetrator too.
In protagonist DCI Jane Birchfield and killer with a conscience Thomas Armitage, he renders driven and believable personas underpinned by well-nuanced dialogue, which leaves both looming large and memorable as his narrative gathers forward momentum.
Underpinned by a morality-based theme — it’s not just about catching a killer but also about revealing Armitage’s story with duelling narratives blending together so Retribution succeeds both as high-stakes police procedural as well as a far quieter and empathetic study of an angry, solitary man.
With this in mind, Wilson demonstrates a penchant for bold storytelling and an eye for creating the characters to carry it through as Jane and her team constantly examine the suspicious alibis and possible motivations of the suspects, keeping us riveted and off-balance clear through to a cliffhanger conclusion.
A pitch-perfect mix of police procedural and character development expertly plotted and written with relish, Retribution is an unreservedly recommended five-star read.
