A very promising start to a rather unusual crime partnership; a female Labour MP and an ex con. Set in the late 1990s it’s well researched, packed full of intrigue, spin and abuse of power, and a fair amount of sex. Think Michael Dobbs' House of Cards mixed with a Lynda La Plante novel.

Bone and Cane series:
1. Bone and Cane
2. What You Don't Know

Comparison: Peter Robinson, Peter James, Simon Beckett
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Synopsis

Nottingham, 1997. Sarah Bone, Labour MP, is about to face the election battle of her life. At least she's had some good publicity. On the night Sarah celebrates the overturning of Ed Clark's conviction for murdering a policeman and his wife - her personal triumph - he sexually assaults her and brags that he did kill them, and more. As the murdered policeman's sister Polly Bolton demands justice, Sarah's obsession with the case deepens. Is she responsible for a terrible injustice? Nick Cane is fresh out of the same prison as Ed Clark, having served five years for growing wholesale amounts of cannabis in the caves beneath his old flat. A former teacher and political activist, Nick was the love of Sarah Bone's life when they met at university, but they haven't seen each other for thirteen years. Nick's only career option now is to drive a cab (illegally) for his brother's firm, where he discovers Ed Clark again, this time as a colleague, and has a love affair with Polly Bolton. Nick has a mystery of his own eating away at him: who told the police about his dope-growing operation five years ago? The old chemistry still sparks as Nick reconnects with Sarah. Can an MP keep her relationship with an ex-con hidden from the media as together they attempt to expose Ed Clarke's guilt?

Reviews

'An incredibly tense page-turner'
Nicola Monaghan

'A gripping and grown-up page-turner. Fans will look forward to seeing the next instalment'
Tablet

'Captures the spirit of the time. Worth sticking around to see what happens next'
Guardian

About the Author

David Belbin is the author of more than thirty novels aimed at teenagers and has been translated into twenty-five languages. He was born in Sheffield but has lived in Nottingham since going to university there; he now teaches Creative Writing at Nottingham Trent University. More books by this author Author 'Like for Like' recommendation