Ruthless

By: Cath Staincliffe

Narrated by: Julia Barrie

A blaze at an abandoned chapel in impoverished Manorclough turns out to be more than just arson when the body of a man who has been shot twice is discovered in the ashes. For the Manchester Metropolitan police team it’s the start of a gruelling and complex case that exposes the fractures and fault lines of a community living on the edge.

DC Rachel Bailey, recently married, is trying to come to terms with her new status and deal with the fallout from her chaotic family. She throws herself into work but her compulsion to find answers and see justice done leads her into the deepest jeopardy.

DC Janet Scott's world is shaken to its foundations when death comes far too close for comfort and she finds one of her daughters on the wrong side of a police investigation.

DCI Gill Murray’s ex Dave, a Chief Superintendent, crashes back into her life, out of control and bringing chaos in his wake. Gill attempts to get Dave to face the truth of his situation, and to stay the hell away from her, but things are about to get a whole lot worse.

And then a second building goes up in flames...

Critic reviews

Real people, real problems...Staincliffe writes brilliantly and compassionately about things that matter. Seriously good

Gritty, intelligent, humane and involving

An intelligent and emotionally engaging moral workout

Has her finger on the pulse of her city and that rare ability to write about love, motherhood and friendship without sentimentality (Val McDermid)

Intriguing

Good insight into the hearts & home lives of truly dedicated police officers, as well as the empathy they feel but cannot show the perpetrators they deal with.

Wonderful listen...

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. The book is well-written, the characters well-drawn and the narration brings it all to life.

What did you like best about this story?

I appreciate how the three protagonists are developed both in terms of their professional work as investigators and their personal lives. Of course the two threads intersect at times making the narrative flow that much more intriguing.

What about Julia Barrie’s performance did you like?

Oh, where to begin. Listening to her I felt as though I was watching a film, seeing and hearing each of the characters come to life, even the most minor ones. Her narration is remarkable.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Sure, if I had the time. I didn't want it to end.

Scott and Bailey Story Not Contained in TV series

You probably shouldn't start with this book if you have not seen or read any other Scott and Bailey stories. If you have you will probably know exactly what you are getting!

The three main detectives are all female, but not in a way that feels forced or overly PC. (Unllike the traditional bogeyman in this story of far right thugs which feels very manufactured PC). Nicely read by Julia Barrie, and an easy listen.