Cry Baby (Tom Thorne #17)

Title: Cry Baby (Tom Thorne #17)

Author: Mark Billingham

Published in: 2020

Date read: Not yet read

Score: /5

Genre: Detective, Crime, Mystery, Thriller

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Cry Baby" by Mark Billingham is the 17th novel in his highly acclaimed Detective Inspector Tom Thorne series, published in 2020. Uniquely, "Cry Baby" is a prequel to the entire series, taking readers back to 1996 to explore a pivotal case that profoundly shaped the cynical, empathetic, and often troubled detective we know.

The story is set during the summer of 1996, with the European Football Championships providing a backdrop of vibrant London life – a stark contrast to the darkness unfolding in the case. DS Tom Thorne (he's not yet an Inspector) is a detective still haunted by a previous case where he failed to trust his gut instincts, leading to tragic consequences. This unresolved personal trauma weighs heavily on him.

The central mystery begins when two seven-year-old boys, Kieron Coyne and Josh Ashton, are playing in a park in North London. They run into the adjoining woods, but only Josh emerges, distraught and unable to explain what happened to his best friend, Kieron. Kieron has vanished without a trace.

Thorne is assigned to the case, and driven by his past mistakes, he vows he will not let another child's disappearance haunt him. He throws himself into the investigation, which quickly becomes high-profile, drawing intense media scrutiny and putting immense pressure on the police.

As Thorne delves into the lives of Kieron's family – his mother, Cat Coyne, who lives in a council flat with her partner currently in prison, and Josh's more affluent mother, Maria Ashton – he uncovers a web of secrets, family dynamics, and hidden resentments. The contrast between the two families, despite their children's close friendship, is subtly explored.

The case takes several unexpected and dark turns when two people connected to the missing boy are brutally murdered, escalating the investigation into something far more sinister than a simple abduction. Thorne finds himself battling not only the baffling clues and dead ends but also the ugly fallout of his own broken marriage.

"Cry Baby" also introduces a younger Phil Hendricks, the quirky, tattooed, and deeply insightful pathologist who becomes Thorne's closest confidante and friend throughout the later series. Their initial, somewhat awkward professional relationship is depicted, providing a fascinating origin story for their long-standing bond.

Billingham expertly crafts a plot filled with red herrings and surprising twists, keeping the reader guessing until the very end. The novel explores themes of:

Parental Fear and Grief: The devastating impact of a child's disappearance on their family.
Childhood Secrets and Trauma: The hidden lives of children and the long-term effects of violence.
Police Procedure in the 90s: A refreshing return to detective work before the widespread use of CCTV, ANPR, and mobile phones, focusing more on human interaction and traditional sleuthing.
Thorne's Genesis: The case that fundamentally shapes Thorne's character, his empathy for victims, and his often-antagonistic relationship with authority.

The climax involves a tense race against time to prevent further tragedy and uncover the true identity of Kieron's abductor and the subsequent murderers. "Cry Baby" is a gripping and emotionally resonant police procedural that serves as a compelling entry point for new readers and a richly rewarding backstory for long-time fans of Tom Thorne.

Comments:
Although I like to read books in order, I know that most don't need to and, I saw this on a 99p Kindle deal so I had to have a go.

Books that we've read by Mark Billingham (1):
Sleepyhead (Tom Thorne, #1) (2001)