It's my pleasure to be hosting the blog tour for Rewind today. Many thanks to Joy Kluver for inviting me and for my advance digital copy of the book.
Rewind is the fourth book in the Wiltshire based DI Bernadette Nolan series but it can easily be enjoyed as a stand-alone. Joy Kluver has been very clever here because although much of the book takes place in the present day, there are significant scenes set six years previously, which give us a fascinating insight into what shaped Bernie Nolan and why she is so desperately haunted by her past.
Bernie is a superb character who is utterly grounded in reality. She is a dedicated detective, who is popular with her team and resolute in her work. However; she's also a mother to a baby girl, in a loving relationship with Dougie, a fellow officer, and a woman who is deeply traumatised by a horrific ordeal years ago. Having agreed to split parental leave with Dougie, she is returning to work after nine months off, although understandably she has mixed feelings; she is looking forward to seeing her colleagues and has missed adult conversations but she will miss being with Mira all day.
Her first day takes a dramatic turn though, even before she arrives at headquarters when, driving to work, she comes across a road traffic accident. A BMW has crashed into a tree and upon questioning the police officer in attendance, she learns the driver hasn't survived the impact. While surveying the crash site, Bernie spots what may be blood on the boot of the car and shortly afterwards makes a gruesome discovery. The driver isn't the only victim here but while his death may be an accident, the unidentifiable man in the boot has clearly been murdered.
What follows is a complex, difficult investigation with a rising body count. It's a frustrating case, even after two of the dead are identified but the team slowly begins to piece some of the evidence together. The portrayal of the work undertaken by the Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT) is excellent; Joy Kluver ensures that although there is a clear chain of command, their efforts are collaborative. Bernie is respected by her team but crucially, the feeling is mutual and even after one officer admits to an oversight, she doesn't bawl him out.
Mistakes and errors of judgement are explored throughout Rewind and as she is forced to confront memories and faces from the past, Bernie's sense of guilt and accompanying terror is almost visceral. Her panic attacks are an empathetic reflection of the mental anguish wrought upon police officers, particularly when they blame themselves for any failings that occurred.
The second part of the book features some chapters set six years ago and so we see a younger, more naïve Bernie, working for the Met and thrust into an operation she wasn't prepared for. It has become painfully evident by this point that the investigation results in tragedy and knowing this lends a terrible sense of foreboding to proceedings. Joy Kluver captures the gritty gang-led violence vividly but danger isn't just found on London's streets and estates.
A court case brings Bernie further turmoil and allows us to witness her courage and resolute desire to achieve justice, in spite of her abject fear. However, other people are equally as determined to stop her. I'm mindful not to give anything away about the multilayered storyline but there are some dramatic, gripping scenes which are also deeply moving.
With believable, nuanced characters complementing the tension and emotion of the compulsive plot throughout, Rewind is a cracking read and one I highly recommend.
Rewind will be available for pre-order soon. Follow Joy's Amazon page for the latest updates.
Don't miss the rest of the blog tour, details are below.
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