Suspects by Lesley Pearse is published with Penguin Michael Joseph. Described as ‘a gripping page-turner full of suspense…a masterclass in unputdownable storytelling’, it is Lesley Pearse’s 29th novel. Her previous title, Liar, was a Sunday Times bestseller, in both hardback and paperback.

Conrad and Nina have longed for a place to call home, a place they can put their mark on as a newly married couple. The homes they have been keen on to date have been snapped up leaving them wondering if they will ever get on the property ladder and then they saw a house for sale in Willow Close. Unable to believe their luck, their offer was accepted and now finally they can start the life they had hoped for. Driving into Willow Close, Nina looks out the window and sees perfectly arranged gardens, with a peaceful air surrounding the place.

‘Everything was perfect, from the neat borders of petunias and busy lizzies to the snowy white nets at sparkling windows, and gleaming, recently washed and waxed cars on drives’

But it’s not long before this illusion of perfection is shattered when they see a police car parked near their new home. Not ones for gossip, they unlock the door and start to unload their boxes, excited with this new adventure. When a neighbour introduces himself they are shocked to hear that the body of a young girl was found, earlier that morning, brutally attacked and left abandoned near a wooded area close to their house. Nina and Conrad are horrified. How could this be? How could such a tragedy take place in such a quiet area? Had they made a very bad decision?

As events unfold, Nina and Conrad slowly get to know their other neighbours and discover what a motley crew they are. Each day seems to bring another piece of dramatic news and it is as though the dominoes are crashing down in this once peaceful suburb. Nina and Conrad are in disbelief, unable to fully process what is unfolding around them. This was not what they had planned for the start of their new life together.

The girl murdered is Chloe Church, the much loved only daughter of Mike and Ruth Church. They had dreams and ambitions for their young and talented daughter but now it is a nightmare as the police attempt to unravel the mystery of Chloe’s death. With no apparent enemies, Detective Inspector Jim Marshall, who is in charge of the investigation, and his team prepare to leave no stone uncovered in their search for the truth.

Suspects felt very much like a stage play with each character’s appearance resembling an actor arriving from behind the curtain. With clear descriptions it was easy to work out the personality of each individual. Quite a mixed cast, I have to admit, if I was Nina or Conrad I’d have had a ‘For Sale’ up as soon as possible! Although there were no major surprises in the plot, I did enjoy getting to know the neighbours with all their quirks and foibles.

Suspects is very much a character driven tale with everyone a suspect for something. It is a tale about a neighbourhood with many secrets that can no longer be kept hidden, a dead body and a determined policeman with justice in his sights. A gentle mystery from Lesley Pearse….