The JigSaw Man By Nadine Matheson Review

Reviewed by Jane Warwick

This is an excellent fiction book more so for the fact it is a debut book. However, it is certainly not for the light hearted as it is a thriller which is very similar to the TV programme currently on BBC – “Happy Valley”.
The story line is about a female black Inspector with the Special Crimes Unit (SCU) based in an old building in London. The inspector has been suffering PTSD as a result of a past investigation which affected her deeply. The discovery of body parts by different people going about their normal lives in different areas of London gets her back into active duty as she had been doing desk work since being hospitalised because of the last investigation she was on. The SCU is composed of a small group of people with a very knowledgeable IT person, and they know each other well having been through a lot in the past. Her normal partner is not available, so she is given a trainee detective who she initially resents. Different avenues are followed during which information of why she was hospitalised in the past is revealed. This past serious crime investigation resulted in her being stabbed whilst attempting to arrest a person whom they had sufficient evidence as a serial killer. This serial killer was convicted by a jury and serving 7 life sentences in Belmarsh Prison so will never be released. Though two arms are found, they are of different colours which means two murders. The head forensic pathologist (a long standing friend of the inspector) notices that on a body part from each of the victims, there are carved markings and these represent the trade markings of the serial killer in jail. This raises a lot of questions such as is he somehow connected?! Who knew about these markings?

The serial killer in prison is interviewed by her and her trainee and this reawakens flashbacks of what had happened to her and how he still has control on how she feels. At the prison she notices the different relationships he has with some of the staff. More body parts are found and there are connections between the victims. Then the serial killer manages to escape so she is responsible for two different investigations particularly when he starts to murder again and makes it obvious to her who killed them. You will have to read the book to find out what happens!

The book also looks at prejudices within the police force in terms of being a woman and being black. Also, it looks at work life balance. Gripping !

The only gripe I have when reading this paperback is the proof reading of the publishing company HarperCollins. Three times in the book the sentences did not make sense with the first name of a person being changed after 5 lines. There is no excuse for this.

I have already ordered the next book in paperback “The Binding Room” which came out in paperback only this month. This is another thriller with the same inspector.

Rating: 5/5.

RRP: £9.99 paperback.

This product can be purchased from Amazon here at £5.99.