2019. Leona Walsh, a 34-year-old wife and mother vanishes on a bitterly cold afternoon while out jogging on the edge of Exmoor.
It’s a mystery which captures public interest and ignites wild speculation. The police have a prime suspect: Leona’s husband, Matthew, a renowned crime writer. He can plot the perfect crime. But is he capable of committing the perfect murder?
Despite extensive searches, the police find no trace of Leona and her disappearance remains shrouded in mystery. As public interest dwindles, Matthew returns to raising their two daughters, aware the cloud of suspicion is never far away.
2024. Some human bones are discovered in a garden. Could they be Leona’s remains? And if so, is there enough evidence to find out what really happened five years ago?
Journalist Gabriella Conti covered the news story back in 2019. The police may have stopped watching Matthew, but Gabriella hasn’t forgotten him. And she is determined this case will define her career… even if that means getting close to a murderer.
My Review
My fourth book by this author, but the first time I have listened with Borrowbox. It’s great when walking the dog (or at the time of listening two dogs – we were dog sitting). It’s a great premise, but a bit too long. And I’m afraid I guessed what really happened, I just hoped I was wrong.
But now for the positives. Matthew Walsh is a very complex character. He’s a habitual liar. He doesn’t seem to be able to separate truth from fantasy. Maybe it’s something to do with being a crime writer, but then so am I and I can tell the difference. I’m sure Diane can too. It also makes him an unreliable narrator.
His 34-year-old wife Leona has gone missing on a freezing cold afternoon while out jogging. She went almost every day and always took the dog, Sidney. When she fails to return, but the dog comes back alone and wet, Matt calls the police in the morning. The children, Scarlett and Trixie, are naturally distraught. Initially, having found her rucksack in the reservoir, the police believe she went into water accidentally or to end her own life. It would also explain the wet dog. But it soon becomes obvious that there is far more to it. Leona had secrets, a lot of them in fact.
We also have another narrator, this time a reliable one, journalist Gabriela Conti. She knew Leona at school – in fact Leona bullied her quite badly. Gaby works for the local paper and has been reporting on the case since 2019. She has got to know Matt pretty well and has always believed him to be innocent. She also has her own true crime podcast, which she hopes will move her career to another level.
Jump forward five years to 2024 and a body turns up in Matt’s mum’s garden. This changes everything. Who other than Matt would have buried his wife in his mum’s garden? If it is Leona of course.
Full of twists and suspense, The Crime Writer was a very enjoyable book.
About the Author
Diane Jeffrey is a USA Today bestselling author. She grew up in North Devon and Northern Ireland. She now lives in Lyon, France, with her husband and their three children, Labrador and cat. Diane’s is the author of four psychological thrillers, all of which were Kindle bestsellers in the UK, the USA, Canada and Australia. THE GUILTY MOTHER, Diane’s third book, was a USA Today bestseller and spent several weeks in the top 100 Kindle books in the UK. Her latest psychological thriller, THE SILENT FRIEND, is set in Belfast and Lyon. It was published in ebook in November 2020 with the paperback and audiobook to follow in 2021.
Diane is an English teacher. When she’s not working or writing, she likes swimming, running and reading. She loves chocolate, beer and holidays. Above all, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Click on the link to visit Diane’s website: www.dianejeffrey.com
