Chill Factor (Charlie Priest, #7)

Title: Chill Factor (Charlie Priest, #7)

Author: Stuart Pawson

Published in: 2002

Date read: 3rd August 2010

Score: 4/5

Genre: Crime, Detective, Thriller

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Chill Factor" by Stuart Pawson is the seventh book in his Detective Inspector Charlie Priest series, a police procedural set in Yorkshire, England.

The story begins with what appears to be an open-and-shut case. A woman is found raped and murdered in her bedroom, and her husband, Tony Silkstone, is discovered in another man's house, where that man, Peter Latham, lies dead with a knife in his heart. Silkstone immediately confesses to killing Latham, claiming he walked in on Latham murdering his wife and sought revenge.

The higher-ups in the Heckley police force are eager to close the case, especially with Silkstone's ready confession. However, Detective Inspector Charlie Priest, known for his maverick tendencies and sharp instincts, isn't convinced. He senses that the confession is too easy, and the crime scene seems almost staged.

Against the wishes of his superiors, Priest continues to investigate, digging deeper into the background of both the victims and Silkstone. His dogged pursuit of the truth leads him to uncover a complex web of secrets, betrayals, and past grievances. He begins to find subtle clues that link this seemingly isolated incident to an older, unsolved crime in a different part of England.

As Priest gets closer to the truth, his persistence attracts unwanted attention from those who wish for the past to remain buried. This puts him in increasing danger, especially when a notorious hitman known as "The Chiller" turns up in town, seemingly targeting Priest himself. Charlie must race against time to unravel the full conspiracy and bring the real culprits to justice, all while navigating the internal politics of the police force and the very real threat to his own life. The novel is a classic police procedural, showcasing Priest's determination and unconventional methods in the face of a complex and dangerous criminal plot.

Comments:
This was read as an "unknown author" and I really enjoyed it.

Books that we've read by Stuart Pawson (2):
Chill Factor (Charlie Priest, #7) (2002), Laughing Boy (Charlie Priest, #8) (2002)