William Morrow | October 2017 | 432 pgs
Source: Publisher via Edelweiss
Gilly Macmillan's latest release, Odd Child Out, continues DI Jim Clemo's story from the previous novel (What She Knew) where he took a mandatory leave after a case which still leaves him shattered. Though he is back into the workforce in this book, he still see his psychologist, Dr Francesca Manelli, from time to time and is slowly getting his act together when another assignment is handed out to him.
Noah Sadler, a white teenage boy is found floating unconscious in the Feeder Canal. The person who was last seen together with him is his best friend, Abdi Mahad and he is an immigrant son of a Somali refugee. The Mahads had left for England from their immigrant camp many years ago and they have called Bristol their home until the tragedy happened. Aside from the sensitivity of the race issue, what makes this case complicated as well is Abdi is not talking about what happened on that fateful night no matter how the police and his family prod him. Whether if he is traumatised or guilty no one knows. Abdi later disappears, and get caught up by his fascination over a photo he has seen in Noah's father's exhibition before Noah's passing. His search for some answers relating to that photo is another highlight and mystery of this story.
Odd Child Out may be a psychological suspense but yet it is also a story about friendship, family, race and identity and amid these elements media takes the center role where Emma Chang, former family liaison officer turns journalist (and DI Clemo's ex-girlfriend), is meticulous in digging her way through for a story and lead to a further clash with her former lover. Without saying or giving away too much about this story, all I can say is this is both a suspenseful and a heartbreaking story and a look of the Somali community through the eyes of the Mahads. A truly riveting suspense driven by a cast of interesting characters and I hope to see more of DI Jim Clemo in Gilly MacMillan's future releases.
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Glad you liked this one.
Is this a series best read in order?
Jenny - Yes! π
Lark - This can read as a standalone but for the main character's development I'd suggest reading them in order.
I like that this mystery has more than just the whodunit aspect but also touches on some very real and serious issues such as race relations. will have to check this one out!
I will look for the first one, but I've read some good reviews of this one. :)
Iliana - It was a good read and all the better that it touches on the race relations. Hope you'll enjoy her books!
Jenclair - I like Gilly's books. I hope you'll enjoy them as much as I did. :)
I just received a copy of this one in the mail. :-) I had not realized it was a sequel of sorts to What She Knew. I looking forward to reading this one. I glad you liked it.
Wendy - Well it still works as a standalone, although you may wish to read "What She Knew" first to know more of DI Jim Clemo. :)
Glad you enjoyed this one, I like psychological suspense but don't read enough of them. Great post.
Naida - Hope you'll enjoy this if you get to it.