Nighthawking by Russ Thomas

This is Russ Thomas’ second novel, and an eagerly awaited sequel to his debut, Firewatching. Once again, we’re in Sheffield with DS Adam Tyler. He’s still heading up the cold case team, but now has a protégé in the guise of DC Mina Rabbani (who was in uniform in Firewatching but has since gained a spot in CID), but it isn’t long before they’re both seconded to a murder inquiry when the body of a woman is discovered buried in the city’s botanical gardens.

The body was unearthed by a nighthawker, a metal detectorist, but one willing to trespass on private land and at night, and keep or not declare their finds. This is a major theme running through the book (hence the title) and several characters are members of a detectorist group and keen nighthawkers. It quickly becomes apparent that the woman is linked to the group and that one or more members might have something to do with her murder. Muddying the water is the fact she was a Chinese national and the daughter of a powerful figure within the Chinese Communist Party, and that she might have been involved in some kind of smuggling operation.

While part of a series, Nighhawking could be read as a standalone. That said, it is far more enjoyable if read after the author’s debut. The events of Firewatching have left their mark on several characters, and it is easier to understand some of their motivations if you know what they went through in the previous title.

Firewatching was an impressive debut and made something of a splash when published. There’s always a concern that the “curse of the second novel” will strike when a debut novelist has made such a mark, but Russ Thomas has no such concerns on that front. Nighthawking is a fantastic follow up, both brilliantly plotted and brilliantly told. This is a great book and I look forward to reading the third in the series whenever Russ is ready to unleash it on the book-reading public.

4 out of 5 stars