A cold case missing person inquiry resurfaces!

Has Anyone Seen Charlotte Salter? by Nicci French     

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1990 December, Etty Salter walked to a family friend’s barn where they were holding a fiftieth birthday party for her father Alec. She was looking for her mother Charlie. Etty is concerned. She looks everywhere and finally contacts the local police.

Charlie never arrived. Her children never saw her again

A few days later Duncan Ackerley disappeared and was found in the river against a buoy. Suicide was the verdict. The general consensus is that Duncan murdered Charlie and then killed himself.

Now, thirty years later the case is being looked at again. Police procedure had not been followed and basically mistakes—many missteps had happened 

Now it’s 2022 and Detective Inspector Maude has been asked to reopen the case. Difficulties arise with lost evidence and files, and the attitude of the local police

Another deadly occurrence happens that’s possibly linked to the 1990 case. The woman who was clearing out the Slater home because the family was putting Alec into care, (he has dementia) dies in a house fire

Are the three connected?

A very readable mystery that sucked me in. The reveal at the end is a surprise

Another deft mystery from the partnership that is Nicci French.

A William Morrow ARC via NetGalley.                                              

Many thanks to the author and publisher.