Critical Incidents

Dive into the thrilling world of Detective Inspector Robin Osborne in Lucie Whitehouse's "Critical Incidents," the gripping first installment of a captivating new crime series. From the bestselling author of "Before We Met" comes a story of second chances, buried secrets, and the dark underbelly of familiar faces. Robin Osborne's life has imploded. Dismissed from London's Metropolitan Police Homicide Command for insubordination, saddled with debt, and struggling to maintain any semblance of a personal life, she's forced to retreat to the last place she ever wanted to be: her childhood home in Birmingham. Sharing a bunkbed with her teenage daughter, Lennie, and working as a benefit-fraud investigator, Robin finds herself entangled once more in the web of familial resentment and small-town judgments she thought she'd escaped. Birmingham offers little respite. The strained relationship with her mother simmers, and Robin is acutely aware of those who relish seeing her humbled. Only her longtime best friend, Corinna, seems genuinely happy to have her back. But Corinna's life is about to be shattered. When her husband disappears, and violence erupts, Corinna finds herself at the center of a police investigation, suspected of foul play. Haunted by her past and unwilling to stand idly by, Robin can't resist getting involved. Driven by loyalty and a need to prove herself, she launches her own unofficial investigation, delving into the murky depths of Corinna's life and the secrets swirling beneath the surface of their seemingly close-knit community. But as Robin digs deeper, she unearths a chilling connection to the disappearance of another young woman, casting a long shadow over everything she thought she knew. Adding another layer of complexity, the officer leading the official investigation is none other than her ex-boyfriend, the first love who still holds a piece of her heart. Can Robin trust him, or is he hiding something? As she navigates a minefield of past hurts and present dangers, Robin is forced to confront the uncomfortable truth that even those closest to us can harbor the darkest secrets. Lucie Whitehouse masterfully crafts a suspenseful and emotionally resonant narrative. "Critical Incidents" is more than just a crime novel; it's an exploration of the complexities of female friendship, the enduring power of family, and the lengths we go to protect those we love. With its flawed but fiercely determined protagonist, intricate plot twists, and atmospheric setting, this book will keep you guessing until the very last page. Perfect for fans of police procedurals with a literary edge, and readers who appreciate strong female leads grappling with both personal and professional challenges. This thrilling page-turner is a must-read for those who enjoy authors like Tana French and Lisa Jewell.