The Drowning Place

I believe this is the start of a new series for Sarah Hilary, and it's an eerie one set in the Derbyshire Peak District. Our two main detectives seem mismatched, but they work together really well. DS Joseph Ashe is a lifelong resident of Edenscar, who at age 11 was involved in a school bus accident where he was the only survivor. This has made the locals have mixed feelings towards him, and he joined the Police as a way to try and cope with his guilt. Joe sees the ghosts of those who died too, and his best friend Sammi is always with him (but as a fully grown man ghost) giving him advice. DI Laurie Bower has accepted a 6 month stint in Edenscar as her husband has moved in with his father who is deteriorating quickly from dementia. When the murder of a local family shocks the town, the two are determined to hold the culprit accountable.

I liked this, but I did find it took me a little while to get into it (which isn't always unusual when it's the first book in a new series and everyone is being introduced). I think readers will either love or hate the supernatural element (i loved it) but it adds something original to your classic police procedural which i thought was great. If you like atmospheric police procedurals with small town quirks i would highly suggest you give this a go!