It’s Christmas and a serial killer is leaving displayed body parts all over Cumbria. A strange message is left at each scene: #BSC6
Called in to investigate, the National Crime Agency’s Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw are faced with a case that makes no sense. Why were some victims anaesthetized, while others died in appalling agony? Why is their only suspect denying what they can irrefutably prove but admitting to things they weren’t even aware of? And why did the victims all take the same two weeks off work three years earlier?
And when a disgraced FBI agent gets in touch things take an even darker turn. Because she doesn’t think Poe is dealing with a serial killer at all; she thinks he’s dealing with someone far, far worse – a man who calls himself the Curator.
And nothing will ever be the same again . . .
It's Publication Day for The Curator and I am honoured to be sharing my review today. Huge thanks to M.W. Craven and Beth Wright from Little, Brown Book Group for inviting me and for sending me a copy of the novel.
The weather was glorious this weekend; the sun was shining and there wasn't a cloud in sight, the perfect time then to read a book set during the Christmas period! Of course, being a Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw novel, this is not so much peace to all men as pieces of men - and women....
I love a prologue that immediately sets the tone for a book and in my opinion there is nobody better than M.W. Craven at grabbing my attention with a disturbing beginning that guarantees I want - no, need - to read on. Here, the killer is with their latest victim whose last few moments are initially confused before the horror that has befallen them becomes clear.
When the killer leaves body parts as a gruesome calling card, along with the cryptic message, #BSC6, Detective Superintendent Jo Nightingale realises that the Serious Crime Analysis Section (SCAS) needs to be involved. Nightingale has taken over the DSI position following her predecessor, Ian Gamble's retirement and as the novel progresses it becomes evident that she has wisely taken on board his advice that Washington Poe can be an asset if used properly. Although The Curator can be enjoyed as a standalone, the ongoing development of the characters will obviously be appreciated by those who have read the first two books, The Puppet Show and Black Summer (both of which are outstanding thrillers that I'd highly recommend you also read, if you haven't already!) Poe is finally given more of a free reign than he has been previously and isn't weighed down by suspicion or hindered by authority as in the past.
His blunt, intuitive approach to an investigation is complemented once again by Tilly Bradshaw's careful, analytical style. Their relationship shouldn't work; he is a terse maverick, she is sincere and takes things literally but they rely upon one another, each having a perceptive understanding of what the other needs. They were already close but the bonds of their friendship are further cemented here and though much of the novel is tense and gritty, there are deeply moving moments as well, particularly between the two lead characters. Tilly is still delightfully socially awkward of course, her interest in the heavily pregnant DI Flynn's latest symptoms being a case in point, despite the normally unflappable Flynn being in permanent fight mode due to a rare pregnancy-related cortisol imbalance. However, her innocence is counterbalanced by her dry wit and sense of timing which demonstrates that although Poe is always ready to protect her, she is more than able to hold her own as her self-confidence continues to grow.
One of the highlights of this series is the humour that runs throughout them. It never feels forced and is perfectly placed, reflecting how people interact in real life with their sarcastic asides and need for levity as a release mechanism during particularly difficult times. There are plenty of those present, too and The Curator is the darkest book in the series so far. There are gruesome scenes but the horror is arguably even more cerebral this time as the plot explores some alarming contemporary issues in a story where it becomes increasingly terrifying to realise how easily people can be manipulated by those with malevolent intent.
Cumbria is almost an extra character here as M.W. Craven's rich descriptions evoke the essence of the county far beyond the Lake District. The stark beauty of Poe's beloved Shap Fell features strongly but the desolate raw power of the coast is also brought to life so vividly, I could almost taste the salt on my lips and feel the ice on my toes despite it being a gorgeous sunny day when I read the book. An area is more than its scenery, however and the economic deprivation of places like Barrow-in-Furness is recognised too, this is the real Cumbria not just the parts the tourists visit.
I've purposely not mentioned much about the plot because I don't want to give anything away but it is brilliantly twisted and genuinely chilling, beyond even the murders - as shocking as they are. The Curator is exceptional crime fiction; the best novel of the series so far and I absolutely loved the first two. Utterly compelling and almost unbearably tense, it draws attention to unsettling topics without ever losing pace or focus. If you also enjoy reading books that cause you to hold your breath longer than is probably healthy, you MUST read this! It blew me away and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
The Curator is published by Constable and is out today, purchasing links can be found here but please consider buying from an independent bookstore or by supporting them by ordering from Hive.
Check out the #TheCurator hashtag on social media for more blog tour posts.
About the Author
M. W. Craven was born in Carlisle but grew up in Newcastle, returning after 31 years to take up a probation officer position in Whitehaven, eventually working his way up to chief officer grade. Sixteen years later he took the plunge, accepted redundancy and became a full-time author. He now has entirely different motivations for trying to get inside the minds of criminals. His first novel featuring Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw, The Puppet Show, was published by Constable to huge acclaim, and it has since won the CWA Gold Dagger Award and been shortlisted for the Amazon Publishing Readers’ Awards: Best Crime Novel, the Goldsboro Glass Bell Award and the Dead Good Reader Awards. M. W. Craven lives in Carlisle with his wife, Joanne. When he isn’t out with his springer spaniel, or talking nonsense in the pub, he can usually be found at punk gigs and writing festivals up and down the country.
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