Keep Her Close

Keep Her Close by M. J . Ford

Published by Avon Books

March 2019

Someone is playing a deadly game…

When a young woman goes missing from Jesus College, Oxford, DS Josie Masters is plunged into a world of panic as fear grips the city. Along with Thames Valley Police’s newest recruit, the handsome DS Pryce, Josie must act fast – and when two more students disappear from Oriel and Somerville colleges, she realises the killer is sending her a deadly message in a cruel game of cat and mouse. This time, the case is personal – but who is the perpetrator?

In a desperate race against the clock, Josie hunts for the kidnapper, and soon discovers he could be a lot closer to home than she’d ever thought…

This is the second novel by M. J. Ford following on from his debut Hold My Hand.  Prior to reading this, I did think I had already read the first book but it turns out I haven't so I'll be putting that right shortly after posting this I think!

DS Josie Masters is on a new case, a student has disappeared from Oxford University in circumstances that appear somewhat troublesome.  Her step-father, an MP doesn't want any publicity and as the case progresses, two other girls go missing in somewhat similar circumstances.  Alongside this, Jo is also troubled by her home life.  Boyfriend Lucas seems to be keeping something from her, saying he is working when he clearly isn't.  After the issues she had with her previous boyfriend Ben, Jo isn't sure she totally believes Lucas is telling her the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.  But if he isn't, then what exactly has he got to hide?

The book ties in somewhat with the previous novel but that doesn't mean you have to have read it to enjoy this.  It's quite the page turner as it is clear that the person behind all of this seems to have a vendetta against Jo.  The question is though who could it be; someone in Jo's past, or someone in Jo's present?  And if it is the latter, then who the heck is it?

I love a crime thriller and this did not disappoint.  Jo is a likeable cop, complete with baggage as our fictional detectives tend to be, and she has a polar opposite detective working with her, in the form of hunky DS Jack Pryce.  Between the two of them, can they find who has taken these girls before it is too late for any of them or will Jo come face-to-face with her nemesis?

I'm hoping that there will be a follow-up to this and soon!

Happy Reading

Miss Chapters x