Deadly Diplomacy by Jean Harrod Review
Reviewed by David Savage
Deadly Diplomacy is the first in the Diplomatic Crime Series (the second book in the series, Deadly Deceit, is available from 16 June 2016) and the debut novel by Jean Harrod.
Jessica Turner is a British diplomat and currently working out of the British Consul in Canberra, Australia. When a British businesswoman is murdered at a hotel resort in Queensland it is Jess’s job to travel to Brisbane to help support the victim’s family and liaise with the local police.
DI Tom Sangster takes on the murder investigation and as the murder has government interest has to tread very carefully, the victim was involved at a high level in a multi-billion dollar energy negotiation with the Chinese government to supply liquid natural gas (LNG) and she was suspected by British Intelligence of taking bribes.
When Susan, the victim’s sister, phones Jess asking for help and seemingly terrified of police involvement the case is taken to a new level with government ministers, the intelligence community and key players within the business world all seeming to have something to hide. When Susan runs off with her sister’s diary a killer is soon on their tail and will kill anybody that gets in the way to get the diary back and protect the secret it holds; a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse begins. The killer is on the hunt and likes it! Jess and Susan are at enormous risk.
While Jess and Tom are both investigating different aspects of the case they are soon forced to work together to get to the bottom of the mystery and stop a very dangerous killer.
Overall Deadly Diplomacy is expertly written, fast-paced, gripping, exciting and tension filled making the book very hard to put down for the night.
The characters all have great depth and feel like real people. With the author being a former British diplomat herself this shows in Jess’ character and makes the workings of diplomatic service normal and not overblown or too far understated to make it dry or boring.
Deadly Diplomacy is a fast-paced, action-packed, totally engrossing read that builds the tension and suspense very well.
The Diplomacy Crime Series is sure to be a winner with murder, political intrigue, great characters, exotic locations and extremely well written. I have already read the second novel, Deadly Deceit, and you can read that review here.
I will definitely be reading more work by Jean Harrod in the future and can recommend her work.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £6.99 (Paperback) / £1.99 (Kindle)
Available to buy from Amazon here.
For more information on Jean Harrod and the Diplomatic Crime Series visit www.jeanharrod.com.
