Author: Andrew Barrett
Publisher: The Ink Foundry
Publication Date: December 8, 2024
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Barrett's second installment in the DS Regan Carter series delivers a punchy, adrenaline-fueled narrative that kept me on the edge of my seat. The Dark Arches picks up seamlessly from its predecessor being set in the rain-soaked streets of Leeds where corruption runs as deep as the city's historic foundations..
DS Carter, is a fascinating contradiction - a loose cannon who acts first and thinks later, yet possesses an underlying vulnerability that only surfaces at critical moments. Her pursuit of the calculating crime boss Bradshaw and the psychotic Eric Clements, alongside DC Gypsy Storm, drives the narrative forward at breakneck speed.
The author's unflinching portrayal of both heroes and villains is particularly noteworthy, with no purely sympathetic characters in sight. The dialogue crackles with authentic British vernacular, while the exploration of police corruption weaves throughout the narrative like a poisonous thread. The story essentially becomes a psychological duel between Carter and the unhinged Clements, building to a climax that showcases Barrett's willingness to dispose of major characters.
The ending left me hanging, eager for the next installment. The Dark Arches proves that Barrett isn't just writing crime fiction; he's crafting a compelling exploration of determination, corruption, and the price of justice in a world where the lines between right and wrong are increasingly blurred.
A big thank you to the author for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
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