Hampstead County Police Department is embroiled in scandal after corruption at the top of the force was exposed. Cleared of involvement and returned to active duty, Detective Sergeant Casey Wray nonetheless finds herself at a crossroads when it becomes clear not everyone believes she’s innocent.
Corruption
Partnered with rookie Billy Drocker, Casey works a shocking daytime double-homicide in downtown Rockport with the two victims seemingly unknown to one another. And when a third victim is gunned down on her doorstep shortly after, it appears an abusive ex-boyfriend holds the key to the killings.
Murder
With powerful figures demanding answers, Casey and Billy search for the suspect, fearing he’s on a murderous rampage. But when a key witness goes missing, and new evidence just won’t fit, the case begins to unravel.
Danger
With her career in jeopardy, Casey makes a shattering discovery that threatens to expose the true darkness at the heart of the murders… with a killer still on the loose…
For fans of Mare of Easttown, Tana French, Michael Connelly and James Lee Burke.
It's such a pleasure to be sharing my review of Shatter Creak by Rod Reynolds today. Many thanks to Orenda Books for sending me a copy of the novel.
Shatter Creek sees the very welcome return of Casey Wray, last seen in 2021's excellent Black Reed Bay. This sequel may have been a while coming but it was quickly evident that it has been well worth the wait. The impact of the revelations exposed in Black Reed Bay continue to be felt and so I would recommend reading that first if possible but this is a new case and so it's perfectly feasible to start here.
The short but tension-filled prologue finds Casey in obvious danger before the storyline skips back to explain what led her to that fateful moment. The sense of foreboding immediately generated persists throughout this pacy, compelling read but even as everything builds to this point, the dramatic plot twists and turns throughout – starting with a shooting which leaves two people dead and the unknown perpetrator nowhere to be seen. Rod Reynolds captures the chaos of this rapidly changing incident superbly as the police attempt to piece together what happened while still uncertain as to whether an active gunman remains at large.
The cataclysmic unmasking of police corruption has left Hampstead County Police Department reeling and even though Casey has been cleared of all wrong-doing, she is still tainted by the actions of those she once trusted. When she is overlooked for a promotion and then offered a transfer by her new boss, Lieutenant Helen Dunmore, Casey knows she is under pressure to get results fast. The frustration she experiences as the complicated investigation continues to thwart her amidst the persisting doubts as to her integrity add a further layer of urgency to proceedings, especially as it looks as though the career she has fought so hard for is at risk like never before.
Although this part of the east coast of America is the picturesque home of the wealthy and well-heeled, Rod Reynolds captures the sense of place with stark realism and exposes their dark secrets and complex political manoeuvrings. Shatter Creek is a heady read filled with intrigue and the threat of violence but the stress felt by a beleaguered department still grieving the loss of colleagues – for one reason or another – also impresses here. The characters might not all be likeable but they feel intensely real; we never doubt the motives behind their actions, even at their most shocking. Casey's humanity shines throughout as she deals with the frictions within her team, the pressures of her own escalating issues and the distressing disclosures uncovered by this challenging investigation. With men responsible for the bloody violence, coercive control and ongoing political manipulation and deceit, this compulsive thriller could have left a trail of women victims in its wake. Instead, while Rod Reynolds never ignores the plight of those affected, most notably in the form of a vulnerable missing mother and her child, he also shows us how strong even the most unlikely of female allies can be.
Shatter Creek is a nuanced, breathlessly exciting read which encapsulates everything I love in a police procedural. The riveting, suspenseful plot builds relentlessly towards the devastating conclusion before leaving readers with an enticing glimpse of future developments and is complemented by the empathetic, penetrating characterisation. Rod Reynolds continues to be an author whose books I will always seek out and this first-rate thriller has left me eagerly anticipating the next instalment of this exceptional series. Very highly recommended.
Shatter Creek is published by Orenda Books and can be ordered directly from their website. Further purchasing links can be found here.
About the Author
His 2015 debut, The Dark Inside, was longlisted for the CWA New Blood Dagger, and was followed by Black Night Falling and Cold Desert Sky; the Guardian called the books 'Pitch-perfect American noir.' A lifelong Londoner, in 2020 Orenda Books published his first novel set in his hometown, Blood Red City, which was a Summer 2020 pick in the FT. In 2021, Rod returned to the US with Black Reed Bay, a novel loosely based on the infamous Long Island Serial Killer, which introduced underdog cop Casey Wray. Rod previously worked in advertising as a media buyer, and holds an MA in Novel Writing from City University London. He lives near London with his wife and children.
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