Review of "The Burning Time: A DS McAvoy Thriller" by David Mark

In this 12th book in Detective Seargeant Aector McAvoy series, the sleuth has a busman's holiday.

*****



Detective Inspector Aector McAvoy (who was recently promoted) is cajoled into attending a seventieth birthday party for his mother Cecelia, who he hasn't seen in years.



For the occasion, McAvoy and his wife Roisin travel to County Durham, where they stay in the luxurious Durham Hotel.....



......with all expenses paid by McAvoy's stepbrother Felix, who's organizing the festivities.



The entire situation is difficult for McAvoy, who has a chilly relationship with both his mother Cecelia and his stepbrother Felix.



After McAvoy's parents divorced, Cecilia coaxed McAvoy away from his father's farm, saying she wanted to spend more time with him. Instead, Cecilia and her new husband sent young McAvoy away to a posh boarding school, where he didn't fit in. At the academy, McAvoy was mercilessly bullied by fellow students, including his stepbrother Felix.



Now McAvoy has something like PTSD from the terrible experience, though he acknowledges the fine education helped his career in the police department, where his learning helped him succeed.

McAvoy would like to skip the birthday festivities and go home, though his wife Roisin - a beautiful, exotic Romani - is enjoying the hotel amenities, and entrancing the boarding school men who remind McAvoy of the bad old days.



It seems McAvoy's stepbrother Felix has an agenda for luring the detective to County Durham. Felix's best friend, wealthy hippie Ishmael Piper - son of a legendary rock star Moose Piper - recently died in suspicious circumstances.



Rumors suggest Felix wants McAvoy to investigate Ishmael's death, and the chatter causes all manner of trouble.

Ishmael, who perished in a horrible fire, was a friendly, well-liked fellow who told almost everyone in town they'd inherit a little something when he passed. Moreover, Ishmael had two 'wives' helping raise his young daughter Delilah.....



......and he believed in spirits and demons, which attracted odd people to Ishmael's vicinity.



Many people in the area are possible suspects in Ishmael's death, and some would go to drastic lengths to keep McAvoy from looking their way. As a result, McAvoy becomes embroiled in dangerous situations that threaten his life.

A cornucopia of characters add interest to the novel: Big Harry - the affable concierge of the Durham Hotel, who's full of local gossip;



Hettie - stepbrother Felix's wife, who seems cowed, unhappy, and apprehensive;



Petra - Felix and Hettie's 14-year-old daughter, who's attracted to bad boys;



Deon - a bad boy drug dealer who's on police radar;



Ingle - a troubled man who believes a witch cast a spell on him; and more.



I enjoyed this fast-moving thriller, which has plenty of action and a touch of the occult.

Thanks to Netgalley, David Mark, and Severn House for a copy of the manuscript.

Rating: 3.5 stars